CHENNAI VS. DELHI: INDIAN T20 LEAGUE 2021, MATCH 2 | 3 CONTESTS THAT CAN DECIDE THE OUTCOME OF THE MATCH
It is the battle of the Master vs. the Apprentice as Chennai face off against Delhi in the second match of the Indian T20 League 2021. Last season, Delhi were comfortable winners against Chennai both the times that the teams played against one another.
The match will take place at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. With small boundaries, fast outfield and a flat pitch, a high-scoring match can be expected in this game.
So let’s look at the 3 player battles that can decide the outcome of the match in favor of one team or the other.
1. Prithvi Shaw vs Deepak Chahar
After a good start, Prithvi Shaw’s performances went downhill in the 2020 edition. He lost his place at the top of the order by the end of the tournament. However, he seems ready for the upcoming edition now after his record-breaking performance in the recently-concluded Vijay Hazare Trophy. He scored 827 runs in eight innings at an average of 165.40 and a best score of 227. He might create some big troubles for Chennai with this brilliant form.
However, it will be interesting to see how he matches up against Deepak Chahar. Predominantly a new ball and swing bowler, Chahar has taken 45 wickets in 49 matches and has a good record against Shaw in particular. While Shaw has managed to score 38 runs off 39 balls, he has been dismissed 5 times by Chahar so far.
2. Rishabh Pant vs Shardul Thakur
Rishabh Pant, Delhi's newly appointed captain, has big responsibilities on his shoulders in this year’s tournament. He is in superb form in the last few months and will be one of the most important names in Delhi’s batting line-up. He will look to lead his team to its maiden title after they finished as runners-up last season. Against Chennai, Pant has scored a total of 222 runs in six innings at a strike rate of 162.04.
For Chennai, Shardul Thakur will have the task of sending the Delhi skipper back to the pavilion. Thakur is in excellent form after his performance against England in the recently-concluded series. He mostly bowled in the final overs of the innings and held his own against power-hitters like Ben Stokes, Eoin Morgan and the others. He took 15 wickets in eight white-ball matches of the tour. Although Shardul has never dismissed Pant in the league, both players will look to outsmart each other in the final phase of the innings. It will be a contest to look out for.
3. Faf du Plessis vs Ishant Sharma
Faf du Plessis was among the few players who impressed during the disappointing last season for Chennai. He was the highest run scorer for the team with 449 runs in 13 games at a strike rate of 140.75. He scored 4 half centuries and looked the only in-form Chennai batsman in most of their games.
On the other hand, Ishant Sharma missed almost the entire 2020 season due to a leg injury. Ishant played only one game before leaving the tournament. He made an impressive return to international cricket in the recent Test series against England and will be looking to make an impact in the shortest format too. He has taken 72 wickets in 90 matches, with best figures of 5 for 12. In the absence of Rabada and Nortje, Ishant will get a chance to make his mark. If he can dismiss du Plessis early, it will be a huge boost to the team’s chances in the match.
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