Chennai Super Kings (CSK) had a forgettable start to the IPL 2021 campaign after they lost the first match against Delhi Capitals in Mumbai. Chasing 189, DC went over the line by 7 wickets and 8 balls to spare.
DC openers Prithvi Shaw and Shikhar Dhawan gave a fine start to the team during the chase as the two batsmen notched up 138 runs for the first wicket and hammered the CSK bowlers all around the park.
The Chennai captain MS Dhoni pointed out that the dew was a major factor in the later stage of the game but admitted that the bowlers could have bowled better.
"A lot depended on dew, and that factor played on our mind from the start and that's why we wanted to get as many runs as possible," Dhoni said at the post-match presentation.
"We could have bowled slightly better, and if batters are hitting you over the fields, that's fair enough. The execution of the bowlers was not very nice as they were boundary balls bowled often,” he further added.
Both Shaw and Dhawan scored individual half-centuries during the course. While Shaw continued his aggressive display of batting and smashed 72 off 38 balls, Dhawan held the other end well and scored a 54-ball 85.
Rishbah Pant who was captaining the side for the time remained unbeaten at 15 off 12.
Earlier, CSK posted 188/7 in 20 overs, courtesy a fine half-century from Suresh Raina who was making a comeback to the cash-rich league for CSK in this match after missing the previous edition and a late surge from Sam Curran who scored 34 off 15 before getting out eventually.
DC will now play Rajasthan Royals in Mumbai on April 15 while CSK will take on Punjab Kings on April 16 at the same venue.