IPL 2024, DC vs CSK - 3 Things That Went Wrong For CSK

MS Dhoni during his cameo against DC [iplt20.com]MS Dhoni during his cameo against DC [iplt20.com]

The Delhi Capitals (DC) found their first victory of the 2024 Indian Premier League (IPL) against the table-toppers Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the second game on Sunday’s doubleheader. The home call to their new second home venue was fruitful as it saw plenty of positives in Prithvi Shaw, Rishabh Pant, Mukesh Kumar, and Khaleel Ahmed. After stockpiling 191 runs in 20 overs, their bowlers were terrific despite Ajinkya Rahane’s 45 and MS Dhoni’s blitzkrieg that turned back the clock in Vizag.

As CSK fell short by 20 runs in the end, we shall analyse the three grey areas exposed in the five-time champions’ from this encounter.


Shocking Powerplay performance

Not often the CSK scorecard reflects a run rate of below five after the first five overs. Such was the case with the Yellow Army as Ishant Sharma and Khaleel Ahmed’s brilliant new ball spells reduced CSK to 23/2 in five overs with just seven runs coming off the initial three overs.

Since then, the going got tougher for the Ruturaj Gaikwad-captained community as they were chasing a mammoth 192-run target in a not so used to venue. Losing Gaikwad and Rachin Ravindra exerted pressure on the middle and Daryl Mitchell looking scratchy at the start added to their woes. Eventually, CSK could gather only 32 runs in the powerplay, and not until the tenth over did they surpass the current run-rate of seven.


Suppressed by Skillful Mukesh

The Capitals have found a new slog overs specialist in Mukesh Kumar. The recently India debut bowler was excellent with his execution and induced wickets in crucial junctures of the match.

When Ajinkya Rahane was changing gears to bring CSK back in the hunt, Captain Pant introduced Mukesh and he removed the Mumbaikar for 45, followed by outsmarting Sameer Rizvi in the next delivery. Having conceded just a couple of runs for as many wickets, Mukesh leaked three fours in the 17th over amidst the dropped catch of MS Dhoni. However, he bounced back in the 19th over by allowing just five runs and three crucial dot balls, curbing a Dhoni outburst.


Patchy bowling excellence

The Chennai Super Kings have not been consistent with their bowling excellence. Although it isn’t easy to be perfect with the plans and execution all the time, the CSK bowling lacked lustre against Delhi Capitals.

Deepak Chahar failed to get wickets with the new ball on one odd day and the team conceded 93 runs for Delhi Capitals opening stand between Prithvi Shaw and David Warner. Although they pegged back at the opposition during the middle overs, they let the momentum slip away during the slog overs as Rishabh Pant and DC lower-middle order accumulated 43 runs off the last three overs. Also, on a day where southpaws in David Warner and Rishabh Pant threatened them, CSK missed a right-arm finger spinner like Moeen Ali or Maheesh Theekshana.