Chennai Super Kings (CSK) inability to accelerate in the last five overs of their innings against Delhi Capitals (DC) was a major reason for three-wicket defeat on Monday, captain MS Dhoni has said.
Dhoni said that an ideal score on the pitch would have been somewhere close to 150. CSK ended up reaching 136/5 but DC could only chase it down with three wickets and two balls to spare. Dhoni felt that the DC batters had to deal with the effects of the pitch slowing down.
“I thought it was a tough pitch. Anything close to 150 would’ve been a good score. It’s a two-paced wicket. It’s not like it slowed down drastically. Can’t just play your shots. That’s what the Delhi batters also faced.
“The taller bowlers were getting movement. It was a very good effort to make a game out of it. Was important not to give too many in the first six. Was one expensive over in the first six, but when quality players are batting it can happen,” said Dhoni.
The win helped DC push CSK off the top of the table. DC are now on 20 points while CSK are on 18. Both teams have qualified for the play-offs.
