IPL 2021, Qualifier 1: MS Dhoni wins toss, opts to field as Suresh Raina misses out yet again

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) skipper MS Dhoni has won the toss and opted to field in Qualifier 1 of the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021, against Delhi Capitals (DC). Dhoni will be certainly happy having won the toss in an extremely crucial encounter, with a triumph capable of sealing a spot for the Chennai-based franchise in the final of the ongoing edition. CSK have gone in with an unchanged lineup, which means Suresh Raina will be missing out yet again. DC have opted for 1 change with Tom Curran replacing Ripal Patel.

“We will bowl. Whatever games we have played so far, the guys felt there was a bit of help for the seamers initially, it’s a tough wicket, but it could get better later on. We try to keep it simple, irrespective of any game. We analyse our shortcomings and it has helped us. We’re playing the same eleven,” said Dhoni as quoted by Cricbuzz.

Pant admitted that he would have liked to bowl as well.

“We are fine with the toss, but we’d have bowled first. Slightly nervous, but it’s part and parcel of the game. One change for us – Ripal Patel goes out, Tom Curran comes in. When you win games, the confidence level is high, but we’ll not take the match lightly,” he stated.

Lineups:

Delhi Capitals (Playing XI): Shikhar Dhawan, Prithvi Shaw, Rishabh Pant(w/c), Shreyas Iyer, Shimron Hetmyer, Tom Curran, Axar Patel, Ravichandran Ashwin, Kagiso Rabada, Avesh Khan, Anrich Nortje.

Chennai Super Kings (Playing XI): Ruturaj Gaikwad, Faf du Plessis, Moeen Ali, Robin Uthappa, Ambati Rayudu, MS Dhoni(w/c), Ravindra Jadeja, Dwayne Bravo, Shardul Thakur, Deepak Chahar, Josh Hazlewood.

“We keep our basics simple”

All-rounder Ravindra Jadeja, who is one of the key players in the CSK setup, stated that the players simply focus on keeping the basics simple followed by concrete execution of plans in the middle.

“It wasn’t a surprise for us (Deepak Chahar’s proposal after the last league game) because after the match he told us that he had already planned for this. If you look at our batting order, there weren’t too many changes in the 5-7 and if we do make changes in the top-order the communication will be done much earlier so that he’s prepared for that role. Generally we don’t change much because we have a lot of experienced players and everyone knows their role in the team, but if the situation demands then MS will make us aware about the changes. The team that backs their strength and doesn’t panic have a better chance, both teams will feel the pressure. We keep our basics simple and hopefully execute our plans in the middle,” said Jadeja.

“It’s nice to be involved in another playoff”

South African fast-bowler Anrich Nortje who is representing DC, stated that he was very pleased on being involved in another playoff.

“Really looking forward to the game, it’s nice to be involved in another playoff. We’ve played some good cricket and looking forward to the opportunity, it’s a big moment and hopefully we’ll get through. The main thing is to stay calm, remember what you wanted to do and just remember the basics. We just can’t get carried away with the moment, try and play our best cricket. It would be nice (to get some time off if they win tonight), it was back-breaking to play three matches on the bounce. Maybe one training session before we go into the finals day, that would be ideal. You have to try and use the conditions as much as possible, it’s been some changes needed as compared to the last season – I have tried to be as tight as possible, try and hit the stumps as much as possible. I have to see, don’t want to think about it, but he (Faf du Plessis) has been playing very well, so I don’t know how it will go,” stated Nortje.