It was a matter of ‘another day, another result’ for Delhi Capitals (DC) in the all-important Qualifier 1 of the ongoing IPL 2021 playoffs against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) as the table-toppers finally plummeted to ‘Thala Dhoni’s Yellow Brigade on Sunday (October 10) in Dubai after being handed out a 4-wicket bitter loss with just 2 balls to spare.
MS Dhoni reprised his role as one of cricket’s all-time greatest finishers as he guided CSK to a narrow victory right at the end on the back of his 6 balls 18 run blitzkrieg which included 3 fours and a six to take the game away from Rishabh Pant and Co. who were very much alive in the game until Dhoni stepped on the gas with a late run-fest at the hands of DC’s Avesh Khan in the 19th over followed by smashing Tom Curran for three back-to-back boundaries in the final 20th over of the Chennai innings.
Former Indian cricketer Gautam Gambhir chimed in with his opinion that Kagiso Rabada should have bowled the penultimate over during CSK’s run-chase in the thrilling Qualifier 1 encounter. Though the match was down to needing 24 runs in 12 balls for CSK when Avesh dismissed the well-set Ruturaj Gaikwad on the first ball of his 19th over, he still went for 11 runs in his final over inviting criticism from Gambhir.
But Avesh gave away a four and a six and leaked 11 runs in the 19th over. Gambhir said that instead of Khan, the Delhi Capitals could have used the tried-and-tested formula with South African speed gun KG Rabada, who didn’t complete his quota of four overs.
Speaking to ESPNcricinfo, Gambhir explained: “I’ve always believed that the 19th over is the most important over. Although Avesh Khan got rid of Ruturaj Gaikwad, you have to go with your best death bowler and it had to be Rabada, no doubt about it.”
“Avesh bowled the 17th, Nortje 18th, Rabada 19th, and Tom Curran 20th – that should have been the sequence. Going with Avesh for the 17th and 19th overs wasn’t the right decision. Yes. Rabada isn’t in the best of form, but you’ve got to back him to do the job as he’s playing continuously and he’s a world-class bowler,“ he added.
Despite getting rid of Gaikwad, who eventually got the Player of the Match award for his stupendous 50-ball 70, the in-form Delhi pacer still came under the scanner for former KKR skipper Gambhir.
Towards the end of the high-octane action-packed playoff encounter, the Super Kings breezed past the target of 173 with two balls left as Dhoni came into his own, pleasing all his fans and the crowds in Dubai as Dhoni stayed unbeaten on a six-ball 18 at a strike rate of 300 and spoiled DC and especially Curran’s party.
With the win, CSK have booked their place in the grand finale of IPL 2021 on Friday (October 15). However, DC gets another shot at redemption as they will play Qualifier 2 on Wednesday (October 13) in Sharjah.
