An exciting low-scoring match was played in the 49th match of the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) season between Delhi Capitals and Chennai Super Kings at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on May 5. With a clutch of power-hitters both sides struggled a bit to score runs on the surface.
Initially, before the toss, the surface looked quite hard for batting. But, as soon as the match started, the equations and predictions started changing. Home team Delhi Capitals’ in-form openers KL Rahul and Pathum Nissanka were out in the power play. Half of DC’s batting was over within the 11th over of the first innings.
Bowlers dominated in the first innings
Despite losing wickets at regular intervals, Delhi managed to score 155 runs on the board thanks to much-needed innings from Tristan Stubbs and Sameer Rizvi. Stubbs, famous for his aggressive batting style, scored 38 runs on 31 balls. This innings was a bit slow by the standards of modern-day Twenty20 cricket, but it was necessary for the team at that time.
Sameer Rizvi helped the team increase the strike rate. DC’s Impact Sub remained unbeaten on 40 off 24.
Rizvi’s innings was decorated with four sixes. During the final moments of the innings, an extra lifeline provided by CSK allowed Sameer Rizvi and Delhi to snatch a few more runs. For CSK, Noor Ahmed took two wickets each, and Akeal Hosein, Mukesh Choudhary, Jamie Overton and Gurjapaneet Singh took one wicket each.
Sanju Samson made the difference between CSK and DC
CSK, when they came to bat in the second innings, also lost a few early wickets in the form of their captain Ruturaj Gaikwad and Urvil Patel. Sanju Samson, who has already registered a pair of centuries for CSK in IPL 2026, remained steadfast on the track and remained firmly at the edge of the crease while chasing the target of 156. The target was not a big one, but it could have been the nature of the pitch, which made it difficult for the batsmen to score runs.
Before the match, Super Kings had 8 points from 9 matches. Delhi Capitals also had the same number of points in the same number of matches. But CSK’s net run rate was +0.005, while DC’s net run rate was -0.895. Net run rate is going to be a very important parameter for qualification in the play-offs, as there are many teams who are strongly in the race to make the round-4.
Ruturaj Gaikwad praised Samson
Sanju Samson’s masterclass ensured the team’s victory against Delhi Capitals. Samson remained unbeaten after scoring 87 runs on 52 balls. Chennai won the match with 8 wickets and 15 balls remaining.
“I think even in the beginning after the second and third games, Flame and I were positive, we were close to where we were last year. Sanju had come in and was bowling well. Then we got a few wins and everyone started coming together,” CSK captain Ruturaj Skipper said at the presentation ceremony.
“In terms of batting, I am very grateful to have Sanju after the tournament in the World Cup, he is our backbone, but it is the bowlers who do the work. Allil and Jamie come in and do the job quietly, Anshul is someone who does the job quietly, he had a poor game today, but they have all come together well,” he said.
Read More: IPL Points Table 2026: Updated Standings, Orange Cap, Purple Cap after DC vs CSK Match 48