In game number 13 of the Indian Premier League 2024 (IPL 2024)Rishabh Pant-led Delhi Capitals (DC) took on Ruturaj Gaikwad-led ones Chennai Super Kings (CSK) at the Dr. YS Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium in Visakhapatnam on Sunday, March 31.
Delhi Capitals won the toss and surprisingly elected to bat first in the match. They made two changes to their playing XI: Kuldeep Yadav, who had a problem, and Ricky Bhui were replaced by Prithvi Shaw and Ishant Sharma. Chennai Super Kings, as expected, fielded an unchanged playing XI.
Playing in his first match in the current edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL), Prithvi Shaw set the stage on fire and gave a message to the DC team management. He played his natural attacking style of cricket and was involved in an excellent 93-run partnership with veteran opening batsman David Warner.
Shaw scored 43 runs off 27 balls during his stay in the middle and David Warner scored 52 runs off 25 balls. DC’s openers were dismissed in the 10th and 11th overs and CSK made a small comeback in the match.
CSK pacer Matheesha Pathirana further shook Delhi Capitals by removing Mitchell Marsh and Tristan Stubbs with scorching yorkers in the 15th over.
Although DC were losing wickets at regular intervals, captain Rishabh Pant stood tall at one end and accelerated exceptionally well to reach a fantastic fifty. He scored 51 runs off 32 balls, with 4 fours and 3 sixes, and took Delhi Capitals to a grand total of 191/5 on the board.
For Chennai Super Kings (CSK), Matheesha Pathirana was the best player with the ball by picking up 3 wickets. Other players supported him well as Mustafizur Rahman and Ravindra Jadeja got a wicket each.
Chasing the target, CSK got off to a horrible start. In-form openers Ruturaj Gaikwad and Rachin Ravindra failed to give their team a good start and returned to the dugout in 3 overs. Gaikwad registered 1 while Ravindra scored 2 runs.
After losing two early wickets, Ajinkya Rahane showed a batting masterclass and scored a crucial 68 runs with Daryl Mitchell. Rahane fell 5 runs short of his fifty and Mitchell was dismissed for 34.
Impact player Shivam Dube entered the field with high expectations but could not replicate his heroics from previous matches.
In the end, the former MS Dhoni showed why he is the best of all time when it comes to batting in the finals. He started his innings with a four and then hit 3 more fours and 3 exceptional sixes during his stay in the middle. MS Dhoni smashed a 16-ball 37 and Ravindra Jadeja scored 21 runs off 17 balls, but CSK were restricted to 171/6. DC won the match by 20 runs and handed CSK their first loss of the season.
Here’s how X fans reacted after the DC vs CSK IPL 2024 clash:
There is this thing with @ChennaiIPL They may lose the game but they always win hearts ♥️. #CSKVDC
– Shreevats goswami (@shreevats1) March 31, 2024
This is VINTAGE MAHENDRA SINGH DHONI Knock 👌 #DCvCSK
– S.Badrinath (@s_badrinath) March 31, 2024
BELIEVE let’s go @DelhiCapitals – What a fight! Well played guys! Let’s continue with this: incredible batting @RishabhPant17 @PrithviShaw @davidwarner31 and an even better bowling and fielding display – let’s go DC @IPL
– Parth Jindal (@ParthJindal11) March 31, 2024
Jeeezzzz, that bat speed… Man still got it in 42.#CSKVDC #Dhoni
– Santhana Kumar (@sandy_twitz) March 31, 2024
He is 42…
—Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) March 31, 2024
If only this were in Chepauk. You are lucky, Vizag.
—Venkata Krishna B (@venkatatweets) March 31, 2024
The mother was still there. pic.twitter.com/geFY0Omywj
-Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) March 31, 2024
We already have the blow of #IPL2024. MS Dhoni 37* for 16, including a round against Anrich Nortje. Beautiful. Evergreen leaves. 🙌
-Subhayan Chakraborty (@CricSubhayan) March 31, 2024
So much for a part-time cricketer and a full-time farmer. #Dhoni#MSDhoni pic.twitter.com/xHIo7vt0PE
– Rohit Juglan Rohit Juglan (@rohitjuglan) March 31, 2024
Even in defeat, most CSK fans will be happy with Thala MSD’s cameo #DCvCSK #CSKVDC pic.twitter.com/Bpp7vHGcdX
-Vimal Kumar (@Vimalwa) March 31, 2024
Delhi have given him some beneficial balls but the bat speed has been sensational at times.
– Karthik Krishnaswamy (@the_kk) March 31, 2024
37* (16)
Age is just a number for this man – MSD #sportspavilion #DCvsCSK #MSD pic.twitter.com/uSdSXTEmt5
— DANUSHKA ARAVINDA (@DanuskaAravinda) March 31, 2024
He is 42…
—Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) March 31, 2024
Jadeja, the T20 batter, is/was a myth.
—Sujith V (@Sujith1727) March 31, 2024
He still has it! Why do you hit so low?
—Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) March 31, 2024
First ball in a year and Dhoni sends it against the ropes #DCvsCSK
-Hemang Badani (@hemangkbadani) March 31, 2024
CSK fans saw Thala’s six when they lost the match. pic.twitter.com/1TDGM4Fncw
– Sagar (@sagarcasm) March 31, 2024
– Cricket Out of Context (@GemsOfCricket) March 31, 2024
It’s Mahi’s show!! Joy for the CSKians despite the result of the match! #DCvCSK
– Robin Aiyuda Uthappa (@robbieuthappa) March 31, 2024
🥳🥳🥳 pic.twitter.com/cy63qW0Udp
– Delhi Capitals (@DelhiCapitals) March 31, 2024
It seems that DC is not happy with the victory. The yellow fans celebrate like anything even after losing the game. He talks about the aura that Dhoni carries with him. Him giving us a show was enough to make the whole country happy. Almost no fan seems sad with the team…
– Jaanvi🏏 (@that_shutterbug) March 31, 2024
Excellent win for Delhi, beating favorites CSK, Shaw and Pant in top form, bowling and fielders frustrating CSK’s strong batting line-up. Dhoni impressive in a late attack to the delight of the fans but otherwise it was a poor outing for the defending champions.
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) March 31, 2024
0 points for CSK, free entertainment for all and org*sms for Dhoni and CSK fans.
— Adults (@CSKian716) March 31, 2024
People’s time has come, their era continues.. 🔥 Why does your hair look more beautiful than your life? #DCvCSK #MSDhoni #Captaincy #IPL24 pic.twitter.com/M6tejMyCMC
– Ankan Kar (@AnkanKar) March 31, 2024
Dhoni 37(16)*🔥🔥🔥🔥
It’s still a beast 🫡🫡Almost everyone was struggling to hit but he destroyed the pitchers 🔥
CSK fans will be very happy even after the defeat#CSKVDC#CSKvsDC
-CricShyr (@SAWAN_1829) March 31, 2024