Pant's Delhi thrash Dhoni's Chennai
Captain Rishabh Pant received the challenge of wicketkeepers as Delhi Capitals trumped the Mahendra Singh Dhoni-led Chennai Super Kings in the Indian Premier League on Saturday.
Delhi rode on a 138-run starting stand between Shikhar Dhawan (85) and Prithvi Shaw (72) to chase straight down their target of 189 with eight balls and seven wickets to spare in Mumbai.
The 14th edition of the popular Twenty20 tournament is being played behind closed doors with the united states witnessing a surge in the Covid pandemic.
The 23-year-old Pant, who was simply once an understudy to Dhoni and has now cemented his role as India's premier wicketkeeper, hit the winning runs in his first outing as T20 captain.
"It was very good, once you win the meet everything is great," Pant said following the win.
"In the centre, I was under pressure, but good work from Avesh (Khan) and the bowlers."
On walking out to toss with Dhoni, Pant said, "Truly, it was special for me captaining in the IPL and toss with MS. I've learnt from him and he's my go-to gentleman. Good feeling"
Returning Chennai batsman Suresh Raina, who left the team because of personal reasons before previous year's edition in the United Arab Emirates, top-scored with 54 because Chennai posted 188-7 after being put into bat first.
Dhoni was bowled for a second-ball duck but England players Moeen Ali (36) and Sam Curran (34) contributed with the bat for three-period champions Chennai.
Fast bowlers Chris Woakes and Avesh Khan claimed several wickets each.
The 21-year-old Shaw, likened to Indian batting great Sachin Tendulkar, exploded for previous year's runners-up Delhi to extend his red hot form.
Shaw, who made 72, just lately topped the batting chart found in India's 50-over domestic competition with 827 works found in 8 matches for winners Mumbai.
Shaw, who exactly survived two dropped catches, finally fell to Dwayne Bravo after striking nine fours and 3 sixes in his 38-ball blitz.
Dhawan departed after smashing 10 boundaries and several above the fence hits in his 54-ball knock.
Pant, who was simply named captain after standard skipper Shreyas Iyer was eliminated of the IPL season with a good shoulder injury, hit a great unbeaten 15.
"He kept his calm and can only get better with time," man of the meet Dhawan explained of his fresh captain.
David Warner's Sunrisers Hyderabad clash with the Eoin Morgan-led Kolkata Knight Riders in Chennai on Sunday.
