IPL 2021: DC star Shikhar Dhawan achieves unique feat against CSK

Delhi Capitals (DC) started their IPL 2021 campaign with a seven-wicket win over Chennai Super Kings (CSK) at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. While Chennai batsmen fell like a pack of cards, Delhi batsmen stood tall and countered the opposition bowling unit with ease. Leading from the front was Shikhar Dhawan who scored a magnificent 85 to give his team a solid start and eventually win the tie.

During his 85-run stay in the middle, the left-handed batsman hit nine boundaries and three maximums and displayed a strike rate of 189.47. In this process, he also became the highest run-scorer – 910 runs – against CSK in all T20s.

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India captain Virat Kohli stands second on the list with 901 runs. He is followed by Rohit Sharma (749 runs), David Warner (617 runs), AB de Villiers (593 runs) and Robin Uthappa (590 runs).

Adjudged the man of the match, Dhawan said he enjoyed the batting and the way he was hitting the ball.

“It was important to get off to a good start because we were chasing a big total. I have to innovate a few shots and I enjoy taking up challenges. I was playing the ball close to the body. The wicket was a little sticky,” Dhawan said during the post-match presentation.

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“I knew my game plan. It is tremendous to watch Prithvi. He played some effortless shots. So good and so happy for him as he didn’t have a good IPL last time around,” Dhawan added.

As far as the match is concerned, for DC, apart from Dhawan, Prithvi Shaw scored 72 runs. Having virtually won the match, Rishabh Pant (15) and Marcus Stoinis (14) chipped in with quick runs.

The Rishabh Pant-led team will next play Rajasthan Royals on April 15.