IPL 2020, DC vs CSK: Shikhar Dhawan was undefeated in 101 of 58 balls.© BCCI / IPL
Delhi Capitals starter Shikhar Dhawan scored his first IPL century against three-time champion Chennai Super Kings at Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Saturday. Dhawan entered his century with 57 balls with a single in the last inning of the penultimate change. Their 14-fours-studded hit and a hit over the fence helped them beat CSK by five wickets and regain first place in the eight-team table, displacing the defending champions the Mumbai Indians. Aside from his brilliant hitting piece, Dhawan also received support from his opposition players who dropped four receptions. Chasing a goal of 180, Dhawan lost his starting teammate Prithvi Shaw on the second ball that was caught and thrown by Deepak Chahar. Ajinkya Rahane missed the bat in the third straight game, leaving the Delhi Capitals in a state of annoyance.
However, Dhawan, who has been in great form in recent matches, took up the challenge and achieved a solid 68-run position with skipper Shreyas Iyer to get his team out of trouble.
Dhawan hit a magnificent limit and six huge in a row over Sam Curran’s head, bringing his total to 91 in 17th. However, there were no signs of nervousness at all and he broke a limit on the next over to reach his career-high IPL score.
Just short of his magic three-figure mark, Dhawan was declared trapped behind, after he missed a sweep against Sam Curran, by the referee on the field, but made good use of technology and challenged the decision immediately.
Replay showed that there was no contact between bat and ball and the field umpire had to reverse his original decision.
Promoted
He took a single on the last ball in the same change to complete his first century of IPL and the most important thing is to retain the blow for the last end.
MS Dhoni’s gamble to toss Ravindra Jadeja’s last six balls didn’t pay off when Axar Patel took him to the cleaners, smashing three huge sixes to seal the victory for his team.
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