NEWS
Follow UsChennai Super Kings have been very mediocre in the ongoing Indian Premier League 2022, but on Sunday (May 8), the Men in Yellow had a “perfect” game against Delhi Capitals. The likes of Devon Conway, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shivam Dube and MS Dhoni were all amongst runs, while the bowling unit too did a commendable job and bundled out Delhi for 117 in 17.4 overs. CSK ended up winning the game by a massive margin of 91 runs.
"I feel we played a perfect game today. I don't know how many times we would have been in a position (this season) to say that we had a perfect game," Dhoni said at the post-match presentation.
"The batters did really well. This is one of those tosses where you want to win the toss and you want to field first but in your heart you are also saying never mind if you lose the loss. Because the last game also that we played the ball actually stops a bit even in the second half. It only gets better after the 13th-14th over onwards. Which means you still have to behave and bat a bit nicely (even in the chase).
"The batters gave us those extra few runs than whatever the par (score) was. The way the openers batted and after that everybody contributed a bit. Overall runs on the board really helps. Then making sure the big-hitters don't go after you. It doesn't matter if you get 200 or 210, once they get going, you can't save the game."
Young Indian fast bowlers Mukesh Choudhary and Simarjeet Singh too were brilliant against Delhi, sharing four wickets between them. However, Dhoni didn’t get carried away with his praises. “What I personally feel, both Simarjeet and Mukesh have taken time to mature. It is different with every individual. There are some who are good right from the first game. There are some who take a few games. Whether is two, three, four or it can be seven or ten games.
"What is good to see is they have the capability. What is important is the more they play the better they will get at game sense. Game sense is something that is very crucial. Yes you have the talent, you have the variation but ultimately it is reading, 'Okay what is a good delivery to bowl? What is a good delivery not to bowl?' I feel often in T20 cricket, what's more important is to know what is not a good delivery to bowl. Because that's what puts extra pressure on you if you go for runs. If you go for runs, that actually affects your confidence."
Conway and Gaikwad put on 110 runs for the opening wicket before Dube played a fiery cameo of 32 off 19 deliveries. Then came Dhoni and the wicketkeeper-batter smoked 21* off 8 deliveries to get Chennai past the 200-run mark. “The first ball was to see what really is happening. It's something that I don't really like: going and straightaway hitting. When you go around 13th-14th over onwards, if they bowl short or length, you can tap it down, see the pace of the wicket. But if it is only 12 deliveries left, all your batters start going up. They start going after the six. It puts extra pressure on the batter.
"I feel as a team that is something we have not done very well this season. When there is only 12 or 13 deliveries left, few of us who are batting, if we can contribute a two-ball eight or six runs ... there is runs on the board. But what we have failed in, if we play two deliveries (to have a sighter), then you get out, you have scored four runs off two deliveries or three deliveries, that doesn't really help the score."
Chennai’s NRR moved up from -0.431 to +0.028 and they have somehow managed to keep themselves alive. To qualify for the playoffs, CSK will have to win all of their remaining three games and also need a few results to go in their favour. “One at a time is good enough. I am not a big fan of maths. Even at school, I was not good at maths. You write your own fortune. What is important is that (you) always have to be at your best. There is no point thinking about this other team needs to beat some other team. It just puts added pressure.
"Just turn up for your games, plan well, execute your plans, look to win the game, and enjoy the rest of the IPL matches. You don't want to be under pressure when two other franchises are playing. Enjoy the IPL, it is good. If it happens, it happens, but what is more important is to make the most of the three (remaining) games. See what are the combinations we can feature in what positions. And start planning for the next year. If we qualify for the playoffs, it is very good. But if not, it's not the end of the world."
