Warner, Pant hit fifties as DC batters make merry
Openers Prithvi Shaw (43, 27b, 4x4, 2x6) and David Warner (52, 35b, 5x4, 3x6) laid the foundation with a blazing start before Rishabh Pant (51, 32b, 4x4, 3x6) gave the final flourish to power Delhi Capitals to 191 for five against Chennai Super Kings at the ACAVDCA Stadium here on Sunday.
Though the venue is the Capitals’ temporary home for two matches, the visitors enjoyed the support of a partisan crowd decked in yellow. However, the Capitals openers put the Super Kings bowlers under pressure for the first time this season, stitching a 93run partnership after electing to bat.
After a watchful start in the first four overs, Warner cut loose in the fifth with a pickup shot over midwicket for a six followed by two boundaries through offside as Chahar lost his bearings.
In the next over, Shaw slammed Mustafizur Rahman for a hattrick of boundaries, two off his pads to fine leg and then an elegant punch through covers as Delhi finished the PowerPlay on 62 for no loss.
With Chennai playing only one spinner, Ravindra Jadeja was put under pressure immediately, as Warner pulled him for a four and a six to notch up his first halfcentury of the season.
It needed a blinder from Matheesha Pathirana at shortthird to dismiss Warner, who attempted a reverse scoop off Mustafizur. Shaw did not spare Jadeja either, slogging him over midwicket for two sixes, but the latter had the last laugh when he had Shaw caught behind.
Pathirana then helped pull things back for CSK
when he produced twoinchperfect reverseswinging yorkers that should make the season highlights reel. The Sri Lankan pacer first knocked over Mitchell Marsh’s middlestump and
two balls later castled Tristan Stubbs. Just when it looked like Chennai had pulled things back, Pant found his rhythm. The Delhi skipper first hit Mustafizur for a six and four through square leg.
In the next over, the lefthander went after Pathirana, depositing him over longon for a six and four and slicing him over point to get to his halfcentury. He ensured his side had a fighting total on the board.