Rishabh Pant got the better of MS Dhoni as Shikhar Dhawan and Prithvi Shaw’s fifties helped Delhi Capitals beat Chennai Super Kings in IPL 2021.
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Even before the start of the Delhi Capitals vs Chennai Super Kings IPL 2021 match at the Wankhede, there was a special moment for Rishabh Pant. The Delhi Capitals skipper was walking alongside his idol MS Dhoni. Pant vs Dhoni dominated the dynamics of the clash between Chennai Super Kings and Delhi Capitals. Chennai Super Kings laid a great platform with Suresh Raina scoring a fifty on his comeback. Raina got good support from Moeen Ali, Ambati Rayudu and Sam Curran. However, Avesh Khan and Tom Curran struck in the end and Chennai Super Kings ended on 188/7.
In response, Prithvi Shaw and Shikhar Dhawan blasted fifties and gave Pant’s captaincy debut a memorable start. Speaking in the post-match press conference, Dhawan, who was the Man of the Match for his knock of 85, gave an insight into Pant as a captain.
“Pant did quite well. It was a sticky wicket. He motivated the boys and rotated the bowlers well. He will only get better as he stays calm. His presence of mind is very good. As a senior player, I give my advice to him,” Dhawan said.
Dhawan has continued from his exploits in IPL 2020 where he scored two centuries for Delhi Capitals. In the match, Dhawan executed the sweep shot off the pacers really well. It was a ploy by the left-hander as he practiced intensely in the nets for that shot.
“I started it in practice. The fielding position is such that I had to execute it. I knew midwicket and square leg were up and cover was back. I knew the plan that CSK bowlers would bowl wide yorkers. There has been no change in my approach. I have been playing like this for a long time. In the last IPL, I was scoring at a good strike rate. I have been much more consistent. I am very happy and enjoying my game,” Dhawan said.
Dhawan’s opening partner, Prithvi Shaw, also showed his class on his own backyard. Shaw, who endured a torrid run in Australia, has enjoyed a renaissance in the last couple of months. In the Vijay Hazare Trophy, he scored over 800 runs at an average of 165 and led Mumbai to the title. With a great start for Delhi Capitals, Shaw revealed his approach that has yielded him good returns.
“From Australia when I was dropped I was working from there itself, coming back and across early, so I practised before going to Vijay Hazare with Pravin Amre and worked on that. I had a good plan before going into that tournament, so it is working quite well,” Shaw stated.
Delhi Capitals will take on Rajasthan Royals at the Wankhede on April 15. Chennai Super Kings will take on Punjab Kings at the same venue on April 16.
