IPL 2018: CSK vs DD, 5 CSK players who stood out in the match
Chennai Super Kings returned to winning ways when they beat the Delhi Daredevils by 13 runs in a high-scoring match. It was a close encounter which could have gone either way, but both teams can find some positives to take out of the match based on the performances put in by several players.
Chennai's win now sees them sitting comfortably at the top of the table with 12 points and they seem well on their way to making the playoffs once again. Shane Watson and MS Dhoni both struck magnificent half-centuries to move CSK one step closer to securing a playoff berth.
The coaching staff will be particularly pleased with the way CSK won this match. Their brutal batting was supported by quality bowling, particularly from pacer Lungi Ngidi who was making his debut for CSK. There were as many four changes in the playing eleven, with du Plessis, Karn Sharma, Ngidi and young Kerala pacer KM Asif brought into the side. This did not curtail CSK's momentum in the least, with the four players producing the goods on the night.
In this article, we will take a look at 5 players from CSK whose performances stood out during their victory over the Delhi Daredevils.
#1 Mahendra Singh Dhoni
Dhoni proved that he still has plenty in the tank with a swashbuckling 51 not out off a mere 22 deliveries. His destructive knock sent a reminder to all those in attendance as well as those watching from all over the world that he is far from calling it a day.
He absolutely destroyed the bowlers by striking 2 fours and 5 maximums, which included a huge 108-meter six. Dhoni has been in amazing form during this year's IPL and once again showed just how valuable he can be.
Dhoni came in at number five and immediately took the attack to the Delhi Daredevils' bowling unit. It was during the 17th over when he really began to accelerate - smashing 16 runs off the first three deliveries bowled by Trent Boult.
It is not just the rate at which he scored which makes his innings outstanding but also the way in which he paced himself as he batted. The maturity and skill which he demonstrated yet again underlines the value which he adds to the team.
This bodes well for CSK going forward and they will be hoping that Dhoni has plenty more talking to do with his bat.