Chennai Super Kings had to eat humble pies again as they lost their opening game of the 14th edition of the Indian Premier League campaign off to a disastrous start as they lost to last year’s finalist Delhi Capitals by seven wickets. The Delhi Capitals openers Prithvi Shaw and Shikhar Dhawan went for leather as none of the Chennai bowlers were spared and each bowler was taken to the cleaners. Chennai had no idea as the left and right hand combination took the game with their 138 run stand.
MSD attempts a stumping off Moeen Ali’s moon ball –
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With the game as good as done as both Shaw and Dhawan were looking dangerous with the bat in hand which left MS Dhoni clueless as none of his bowling tricks matched up to the onslaught courtesy of the blazing blade of the Delhi batsmen. With the score reading 121 for no loss after 12 overs and DC needing just 67 runs off the eight overs. Dhoni threw the ball towards Moeen Ali who was making his debut for CSK but the English all rounder bowled a huge full toss or as the commentators called it “The Moon Ball” Dhoni was quick to react and caught the ball and attempted a stumping but Dhawan was back in the crease and the ball was called a no ball.
Chennai’s miserable start to the tournament –
Three time champions came into the game looking to get off to a great especially with their 7th place finish last year the Dhoni led side were looking to put their best foot forward. Put into bat first they lost openers Du Plessis and Gaikwad with the score reading 7 before Moeen Ali and Suresh Raina and later Ambati Rayudu added crucial runs. MS Dhoni was out for his first duck in six years when he bowled inside edging a ball onto the stumps off the bowling of Avesh Khan. Sam Curran and Ravindra Jadeja though added quick fifty plus stand to propel Chennai to a competitive looking 188. Delhi though seemed in an aggressive mood as Shaw and Dhawan both cut loose and smacked every Chennai bowler to every part of the ground. Shaw was out for 72 off 38 balls while Dhawan fell for 85. Captain Pant remained not out on 15 as he guided Delhi to a seven wicket win.