Delhi Capitals and Chennai Super Kings have already sealed their place in the IPL 2021 playoffs. However, the battle for the top spot is on, as here are the live updates from this exciting clash.
DC wins by three wickets and it's Rabada who hits the winning runs with a four. It did come close, but it's DC that prevailed with its composure, as it rises to the top. Read the full match report here....
OUT! Moeen b Bravo 5 (10). DC 139/7 (19.4). Batting: Hetmyer 28 (18), Rabada 4 (1).
No further harm done, while a dropped catch has handed Hetmyer a lifeline. It could still go either way. 16 needed off 12.
DC 121/6 (18). Batting: Hetmyer 17 (13), Axar 4 (6).
Three more wickets fall, as Ripal, Ashwin and Dhawan depart. Thaku is turning out to be the man for CSK, while it's all falling apart for DC. 38 needed off 30.
OUT! Ripal c Chahar b Jadeja 18 (20), Ashwin b Thakur 2 (3), Dhawan c Moeen b Thakur 39 (35). DC 99/6 (15). Batting: Hetmyer 1 (1), Axar 0 (0).
Dhawan and Ripal are making sure that there are no further hiccups for DC in this chase. 49 needed off 48.
OUT! Pant c Moeen b Jadeja 15 (12). DC 72/3 (9). Batting: Dhawan 32 (22), Ripal 1 (1).
Pant is the third wicket down, departing for 15 to spinner Jadeja. But, DC keeps steering with the run,keeping up with the required rate. 65 needed off 66.
OUT! Pant c Moeen b Jadeja 15 (12). DC 72/3 (9). Batting: Dhawan 32 (22), Ripal 1 (1).
The second wicket is down as well, as Iyer falls for a mere couple to pacer Hazlewood. However, Dhawan seems to be in fine form, hitting it all around the ground. 86 needed off 84.
OUT! Iyer c Gaikwad b Hazlewood 2(7). DC 51/2 (6). Batting: Dhawan 29 (16), Pant 0 (1).
DC loses its opening wicket, as Shaw has fallen for 18 to pacer Chahar. However, it is off to a better start than CSK.
OUT! Shaw c du Plessis b Chahar 18 (12). DC 25/1 (3). Batting: Dhawan 4 (3), Iyer 0 (3).
Dhoni is the final man to depart for 18 to pacer Avesh, as CSK finishes on 136/5, with Rayudu scoring his 21st half-century. Should be chaseabe by DC.
CSK 136/5 (18). Batting: Rayudu 55 (43), Jadeja 1 (2).
Rayudu and Dhoni are still at it, but 160 looks far away. Can they get CSK to 140-plus?
CSK 118/4 (18). Batting: Rayudu 40 (35), Dhoni 17 (25).
Rayudu and Dhoni keep sailing the CSK ship. 160 still looks very much on the cards.
CSK 93/4 (15). Batting: Rayudu 19 (21), Dhoni 14 (21).
No further harm done, as Rayudu is looking to pace up the innings, besides being duly supported by Dhoni. Anything around 160 would be competitive on this track.
CSK 80/4 (12). Batting: Rayudu 14 (14), Dhoni 6 (10).
A couple of more wickets fall, as CSK is in titters right now. Moeen and Uthappa have departed. However, it still has time to recover.
OUT! Moeen c Iyer b Axar 5 (8), Uthappa c and b Ashwin 19 (19). CSK 65/4 (9). Batting: Rayudu 2 (3), Dhoni 3 (3).
The second wicket is down too, as Gaikwad is the latest to depart for 13 to pacer Nortje. CSK is off to a nervy start,while DC is on top for now.
OUT! Gaikwad c Ashwin b Nortje 13 (13). CSK 48/2 (6). Batting: Uthappa 12 (12), Moeen 2 (3).
First setback for CSK as du Plessis departs for just ten to spinner Axar. However, it has been an explosive start so far.
OUT! du Plessis c Shreyas Iyer b Axar 10 (8). CSK 30/1 (3). Batting: Gaikwad 8 (9), Uthappa 1 (1).
Toss: DC opts to bowl.
Rishabh Pant: We will bowl first. The wicket might do a bit early, so better bowling first. We need to focus on the basics, continue doing what we have been doing, and finish in the top two. Ripal Patel is making his debut; Smith goes out. He's a lower middle-order batsman who can bowl a few overs. Always great learning from him (MS Dhoni), but right now, he's a rival, so the focus is on the game.
MS Dhoni: We were looking to bat first, but we were not 100% sure. The wicket seems to be tacky. We have a few changes - Sam is out, Bravo is back, Chahar replaces Asif, and Robin Uthappa replaces Suresh Raina, who has a back issue. We are trying to rest players who have some niggles. Top-two is important. If you have a bad day in the qualifiers, you have another chance to make a comeback.
Playing XI
DC: Prithvi Shaw, Shikhar Dhawan, Shreyas Iyer, Rishabh Pant (c & wk), Ripal Patel, Axar Patel, Shimron Hetmyer, Ravichandran Ashwin, Kagiso Rabada, Avesh Khan and Anrich Nortje.
CSK: Ruturaj Gaikwad, Faf du Plessis, Robin Uthappa, Moeen Ali, Ambati Rayudu, MS Dhoni (c & wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Dwayne Bravo, Shardul Thakur, Deepak Chahar and Josh Hazlewood.
Hello and welcome to Asianet Newsable's live coverage of Match 50 of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021 between Delhi Capitals (DC) and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) at the Dubai International Stadium on Monday. Both sides have sealed their place in the playoffs but will battle for the top spot as we present the live updates from this inspiring encounter.
DC is in the second spot, winning nine games off 12, garnering 18 points. CSK, too, has the exact figures, while the net run rate has placed it above DC.
LIVE SCORECARD: IPL 2021 - DC vs CSK
The two teams have met on 24 occasions, with CSK holding a 15-9 lead. Of the three matches in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), DC has an authority of 2-1, while their only clash in Dubai saw DC gaining the upper hand.
The weather in Dubai would be somewhat hot, with a temperature of 34 degrees and 59% humidity, while some widespread downpours are expected. The track would is expected to play disciplined, with both batters and bowlers earning help. Winning the toss could compel the skipper to bowl first, as the dew factor could come into play.
ALSO READ: IPL 2021: Qualification scenarios for Kolkata, Punjab, Rajasthan and Mumbai for 4th place
Probable XI
DC: Prithvi Shaw, Shikhar Dhawan, Steven Smith, Shreyas Iyer, Rishabh Pant (c & wk), Shimron Hetmyer, Axar Patel, Ravichandran Ashwin, Kagiso Rabada, Avesh Khan and Anrich Nortje/Tom Curran.
CSK: Ruturaj Gaikwad, Faf du Plessis, Moeen Ali, Suresh Raina, Ambati Rayudu, MS Dhoni (c & wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Sam Curran, Shardul Thakur, KM Asif/Deepak Chahar and Josh Hazlewood.
