IPL 2019: Dwayne Bravo credits MS Dhoni’s captaincy for brilliant death overs spell

Dwayne Bravo had conceded 17 runs in his first over. Shikhar Dhawan and Rishabh Pant were batting with confidence and after 15 overs, Delhi Capitals were in a strong position at 118/2 at the Feroz Shah Kotla. However, Bravo bounced back and took three wickets in his next three overs, including the big wickets of Pant (25), Colin Ingram (2) and Dhawan (51). Bravo's figures of 3/33 from four overs helped Chennai Super Kings restrict Delhi Capitals to just 29 runs in the last five overs as they reached 147/6. In response, Shane Watson blasted 44 and MS Dhoni's side won their second consecutive game in IPL 2019 by six wickets against the hosts on Tuesday. 

In the post-match press conference, Bravo credited Dhoni’s brilliant captaincy for the way he bowled in the final five overs. “Dhoni wanted me to bowl on a straighter line, wicket to wicket and a lot of seam-up. I bowled a lot of effort balls as compared to previous games when I have bowled. I bowl a lot of slower balls, lot of variations and Yorker. The wicket was not suitable for those kind of variations. Dhoni told me no slower balls. Good pace and straight on the wicket and in the second over it paid off. 

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Having restricted Delhi Capitals to 147/6, Shane Watson got Chennai Super Kings off to a flier and despite MS Dhoni dragging the match deep into the last over, the three-time IPL champions managed to secure a six-wicket win. In the clash between the most experienced side and the youngest side in the IPL, Dhoni’s golden oldies got the better of the young guns. However, Bravo pointed out that in each game, Chennai Super Kings players are reminded of their age but it does not play on their minds. 

“As we proved last season, age is just a number. When they talk about the Chennai Super Kings team, they always talk about the age factor. We are not 60 years of age. We are 32,35 years of age. We look after ourselves, we look after our body and we have experience. Whatever one tries, you cannot beat experience in any sport, in any tournament. We don’t let these things dominate our mind. We know we are not the fastest, we play to within our strengths, we play smart and we are led by the best captain in the world. He keeps reminding us that we are not the fastest team but we are the smartest team,” Bravo said. 

Chennai Super Kings will take on Rajasthan Royals in their next encounter at the MA Chidambaram stadium on March 31 while Delhi Capitals will take on Kolkata Knight Riders at the Kotla on March 30.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Chennai Super Kings won their second consecutive game in IPL 2019.
• Chennai Super Kings will take on Rajasthan Royals in their next game.
• Dwayne Bravo has taken four wickets in the IPL 2019 so far.