IPL 2018, CSK vs DD: 5 Talking Points

Chennai Super Kings returned to the top of the IPL table with yet another win, while Delhi remains stuck at the bottom with their sixth loss. Shane Watson and MS Dhoni ensured their side posted a highly competitive 211. The Delhi top-order crumbled under the pressure of a massive run chase with only Rishabh Pant contributing well.

The match had its crucial moments with crucial decisions and dropped catches going a long way in deciding the fate of Delhi more than Chennai. Sportskeeda discusses the 5 important talking points from today's match at Pune.

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#5 Shane Watson's not out lbw decision

In the very first ball of the match, Watson was allowed life first by the on-field umpire and then by his TV colleague. Trent Boult pitched one on good length at middle and leg, and the ball swung back into the batsman to trap him in front. Given not out on the field, Delhi reviewed but found a probable inside edge.

It remained debatable if Watson had hit the ball first or the ball hit him on the pad before that. But without any conclusive evidence to overturn the decision, the third umpire stayed with the on-field decision.

#4 MS Dhoni dropped on 31

After being dropped on 31, MS Dhoni went on to hit 51* off 22 balls

The Chennai captain had already started aggressively with 31 off his first 14 balls – 1 four and 3 sixes had been smashed by then – and Delhi then made the regrettable mistake of dropping him. With two overs remaining, Avesh Khan's pace made Dhoni mistime a pull to deep mid-wicket.

All Colin Munro had to do there was just move a bit to his left, but he somehow managed to put the catch down. In the end, that proved way too costly with those twenty extra runs going on to make a big difference for Delhi with Dhoni finishing on 51 off 22 balls.

#3 Glenn Maxwell's continued low run of scores

Yet another low score from Glenn Maxwell hurt Delhi when they wanted a crucial win

Delhi were in desperate need of their middle-order big-hitter Glenn Maxwell to finally come good following a scratchy run of form so far. Having thrown away numerous starts in the tournament, Maxwell fell cheaply yet again when he was bowled for 6 while slogging.

With the Chennai spinners building pressure through dot balls in the middle-overs, Maxwell failed to deliver when his side needed him most.

Delhi will hope that he can finally deliver the goods since they now find themselves in a tricky situation where they cannot afford even a single loss in their remaining matches.

#2 Harbhajan Singh's economical spell

Harbhajan Singh conceded just 26 from four overs while keeping Rishabh Pant and Glenn Maxwell quiet

While the Delhi top-order undoubtedly fell short of expectations, undoubtedly, a cheap four-over spell from veteran Harbhajan Singh choked the opposition in the middle-overs. Just 26 runs were taken off Harbhajan's four overs after three early wickets went down for Delhi.

He kept the dangerous pair of Pant and Maxwell quiet by bowling tossed up and good length deliveries alike, allowing only singles when Delhi were in need of boundaries.

Eventually, when Maxwell attempted a big heave as a result of accumulating pressure, he was bowled off Ravindra Jadeja and Delhi all but lost the game there.

#1 Rishabh Pant's innings

Rishabh Pant hit 79 when all others crumbled around him in the run chase against Chennai

Perhaps the only positive for the Delhi Daredevils in their loss against Chennai was an innings of substance from their big-hitter Rishabh Pant. When all others crumbled around him, the southpaw dug in to hit 79 from 45 balls.

In the process, he hammered 7 fours and 4 sixes, but all in vain. Too much was left for him to do when Delhi found them at 74/4 in the ninth over of the chase.

Despite being in a near hopeless situation, he stayed put and added 88 for the fifth wicket with Vijay Shankar. Delhi can only hope that he continues this run with them having to win all of their remaining six games.

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