Conway, Gaikwad help Chennai become second team to qualify for playoffs with 77-run win over Delhi

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) ensured its place in the Indian Premier League (IPL) playoffs with a resounding 77-run win over Delhi Capitals on Saturday.

Devon Conway hit 87 while Ruturaj Gaikwad slammed 79 and shared a huge 141-run opening partnership in setting the base for CSK becoming the second team to qualify for IPL 2023 playoffs after thrashing a listless Delhi Capitals by 77 runs at the Arun Jaitley Stadium.

Delhi again struggled with the bat despite captain David Warner scoring 86 off 58 balls before his side limped to 146-9 against Chennai’s pace and spin attack.

Chennai ended the league stage with 17 points. It has to wait for the game later Saturday between Lucknow Super Giants and Kolkata Knight Riders. That result will decide whether Chennai finishes No.2 or No.3 on the points table.

Maheesh Theekshana celebrates the wicket of Kuldeep Yadav during the IPL match in New Delhi. AP

Conway smacked his sixth half century of the season and Gaikwad notched his third as both batters raised a solid 141-run stand off 87 balls. Gaikwad was the slower of the two in the powerplay but capitalised in the middle overs, especially dominating the spin of Kuldeep Yadav.

Delhi's pace bowlers Khaleel Ahmed (1-45) and Anrich Nortje (1-43) offered plenty of width to Conway and Gaikwad by either bowling too full or too short as the two batters hit 14 fours and 10 sixes between them.

Both were heading for centuries but Gaikwad holed out at deep square leg just before the death overs started and Conway was dismissed in the penultimate over as Nortje’s ball held onto the surface and the New Zealander couldn’t get his timing right.

Shivam Dube smashed three sixes in 22 off nine 9 balls and Ravindra Jadeja made a seven-ball 20 as Chennai accelerated in the last five overs by scoring 75 runs.

Deepak Chahar (3-22) destroyed Delhi’s run chase inside the batting powerplay when he dismissed Phil Salt and Rilee Rossouw off successive deliveries after Tushar Deshpande had Prithvi Shaw brilliantly snapped up by Ambati Rayudu at mid-off in the second over.

Warner gave Delhi’s total some respectability but Chennai claimed wickets at regular intervals. Fast bowler Matheesha Pathirana (2-22) and spinner Maheesh Theekshana (2-23) took control in the later stage of the innings.

Pathirana brilliantly deceived Warner with a slower delivery in the penultimate over. It was a disappointing season for Delhi which ended with 10 points - five wins and nine defeats.

AP / IANS