DELHI, India, CMC – Former West Indies all-rounder Dwayne Bravo shone with the ball but Keemo Paul’s Indian Premier League debut for Delhi Capitals was less than flattering, as Chennai Super Kings pulled off a six-wicket victory with two balls remaining here yesterday.
Asked to chase 148 at Feroz Shah Kotla, CSK reached their target courtesy of Australian opener Shane Watson’s top score of 40 and an unbeaten 32 from skipper MS Dhoni. Watson struck four fours and three sixes in a 26-ball knock, adding 52 for the second wicket with Suresh Raina whose 30 came from just 16 balls and included four fours and a six.
When both fell to leave the visitors on 98 for three in the 11th over, Dhoni took responsibility for putting his side in sight of victory in a 48-run fourth wicket partnership with Kedar Jadhav (27).
Paul went wicket-less but proved economical, conceding only 20 runs from his three overs. Earlier, the 21-year-old failed to score as Capitals struggled to 147 for six off their 20 overs, after choosing to bat first. Batting at number six, Paul played down the wrong line to one from left-arm spinner Ravi Jadeja and was bowled in the 17th over. Opener Shikhar Dhawan top-scored with a patient 51 off 47 deliveries while Rishabh Pant chipped in with 25 and 19-year-old opener Prithvi Shaw, 24.
Bravo, sending down his varied medium pace, was the best bowler with three for 33 from his four overs.
Capitals were cruising at 120 for two in the 16th over when Bravo struck twice in the space of three balls, first removing Pant to a catch at deep square leg and then accounting for Colin Ingram, caught at cover for two.
