IPL 2019, CSK vs DC, Match 50: Raina, Dhoni bring Chennai back on track

MS Dhoni, who returned to the side after recovering from a bout of fever, and Ravindra Jadeja added some quick runs to provide a late flourish to the innings

A blistering half-century from Suresh Rain followed by the finishing touch provided by MS Dhoni helped the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) overcame a slow start to post a fighting 179 for four against Delhi Capitals (DC) on Wednesday. Raina (59) and  Faf du Plessis (39) added 83 runs for the second wicket to revive the innings after Delhi Capitals bowlers produced tight spells upfront. Later, skipper MS Dhoni, who returned to the side after recovering from a bout of fever, and Ravindra Jadeja added some quick runs to provide a late flourish to the innings. He smashed an unbeaten 44 off 22 balls with four fours and three sixes while Jadeja smashed 25 off 10 with two sixes. Dhoni creamed off 20 runs from Kiwi pacer Trent Boult's final over, hitting two sixes and four.

MS Dhoni smashes 44*(22) at Chepauk https://t.co/IEm5FHOPwg

— Aakash Biswas (@aami_aakash) May 1, 2019 This was after Boult and left-arm spinner Jagdeesha Suchith (2/28) had straight-jacketed the Chennai batsmen after electing bowl. With Boult swinging the ball and Suchith accurate with his line and length, they gave away just seven runs in the first four overs.

When Shane Watson could not open his account even after facing eight balls, in desperation the Australian swung his arms but only to find a fielder near the boundary. IPL veteran Suresh Raina added some pace to the CSK innings with a flurry of boundaries. Along with Du Plessis, he moved the ball around and hit the boundaries when he got the chance. The first six of the innings was hit in the 13th over when Du Plessis dispatched a full delivery from Sherfane Rutherford over extra cover. The South African repeated the act when Axar Patel operated soon after. However, the left-arm spinner got the revenge in the next ball when the Protea batsman attempted another big shot. Raina too departed in the next over with Suchith getting him caught at the point but not before hitting the spinner for two fours and a six. Dhoni then led the side to a fighting total.