CSK vs DC, 34th Match at Sharjah, IPL, Oct 17 2020 - Match Result

So Delhi Capitals have converted their penalty shot and regained the top position. They have done well to find ways to win matches in the absence of Pant and Hetmyer. It is expected Pant will be back for their next game, which will also bring Hetmyer back. They are back to the top of the table. Well at least till Mumbai play their next game, take their shot. And that will be tomorrow. So don't forget to join us. Goodbye

Shikhar Dhawan, Man of the Match: "It is very special. Been playing for 13 years, and this is the first. So really happy. At the start of the season also I was hitting the ball well but I wasn't converting those 20s into 50s. Once you do that, you take that confidence into the next game. I keep my mindset quite positive. Just look to score runs, and not think pitch is doing this or that. I play with courage. I am not afraid to get out. Fitness is very important. We were lucky we got so much time off so it allowed me to refresh myself both mentally and physically. I am running faster, feeling fresher."

Shreyas Iyer: "I was sitting inside and I was pretty nervous. I knew if Shikhar stayed till the end, we would win, but the way Axar came out and hit those sixes, it was brilliant. Whenever we give out dressing room Man of the match awards, he is always there. You see his preparations, they are always on point. We know the strengths and weaknesses of our team very well. We enjoy each other's progress. I just told one of my team-mates today that the way Shikhar batted it was mesmerising to see. As a captain, that gives you breathing space that someone can take your team to the end."

With Watson not having bowled at all this season and Jadhav not having bowled at all in IPL, Bravo's absence meant Dhoni's options were Sharma and Jadeja. Dhoni went with Jadeja's experience. Patel was good enough to take him down. You have got to realise Jadhav and Watson are the kind of gambles you take when it is six or seven required off the last over. It was 17 this time. So Dhoni played percentages

MS Dhoni: "Bravo was not fit. He went out and didn't come back. The options were Jaddu and Karn. I went with Jaddu. Shikhar's wicket was important but we dropped him quite a number of times. If he keeps batting, he will keep the strike rate high. Also the wicket played better in the second half, but we can't take the credit away from Shikhar. There wasn't a lot of dew, but there was just enough to make the pitch better. That makes a big difference: minus 10 when you are batting, and the extra 10 for the team batting second. A positive was Sam's last over. He needs convincing he can execute the wide yorkers. He is not usually confident with that, but today he did well with that. So that is one ball that can be difficult to hit."

Aakash Chopra said on Hindi commentary that Bravo was off the field, which is why Jadeja bowled the last over. You won't often say this because T20 is more a game of big hitters and not fielders and runners, but CSK have lost this one because of their lack of fitness. Dropped catches, ordinary fielding, a player down, meaning the worst match-up in the last over. In a close game, that makes all the difference. Also, it has to be said that 179 was below par against a full-strength DC batting line-up. The pitch wasn't extremely slow, and there was some dew later in the night

And Dhawan can now, finally, celebrate his century, which he does with two kisses on the bottom of his blade and blown towards his corner. Not sure if his family is there, but it could have been meant for TV sets too

Manan: "Rohit Sharma nailed it yesterday.. he said now more teams will win the matches batting second.. today both teams won chasing.. that's why MI is champion team.. captain assessed beautifully :)"

"Sid, please recall. I was screaming for Axar when Alex was sent :)" I trstify. Anil really was

Questions will be asked: why Jadeja to two left-hand batsmen?

It comes down to 17 off the last over. That is what happens if you can isolate one struggling batsman in the final overs. Interesting. Jadeja to bowl the last over despite Bravo's one remaining over. With two left-hand bats in the middle. Dhawan wants to hit a six early

Last ball of the over. The same questions for Dhawan as in the last over? Manufacture a boundary, look for a single or just react to the ball?

New man on strike. More than two a ball now

Axar Patel is the new man in, but Dhawan is on strike

Carey can't afford to play dots now. Curran to continue. I guess Bravo will bowl the last. Midwicket is back, mid-off is up

No boundary so far this over. Does Dhawan look to manufacture one? Does he look for a single to take strike next over? Does he just react?

Right, what does Carey do now?

Thakur to continue