Josh Hazlewood (4-0-29-2) comes up for a quick chat. The Aussie says that the score is just about par. Feels that the ball was sliding well and batting got a bit easier towards the end. Mentions that it's just about mixing up your lengths and pre-empt what the batters try to do. States that the dew is setting in and thus, the wicket should get better to bat on. Jokingly says that he hopes he doesn't get to bat.

... THE RUN CHASE ...

Right then, Chennai need 173 to get a straight entry into the final. They have firepower in their batting but they depend too much on the top two. Their middle order has been shaky and Delhi have the arsenal in their bowling attack to take them down. Should be a riveting chase. Stay tuned...

It was the Prithvi Shaw show for Delhi at the start. The young man started by playing a few edgy shots but soon got into his zone. He plundered some boundaries and provided Delhi with a brisk start. The problem though was that he was the lone one scoring runs as the rest either struggled or got out. Eventually, Shaw also was caught in the 11th over and the runs dried up as the Chennai spinners choked the flow of runs. The pair of Hetmyer and Pant though got together after that and injected some

Not a desired finish in the last over but still, Delhi have posted a very strong total on the board. Rishabh Pant and Shimron Hetmyer were brilliant during their partnership and helped Delhi in recovering from a precarious situation. Chennai would be a shade disappointed as they had Delhi under the pump but couldn't maintain the pressure for long.

Shardul Thakur to Rishabh Pant, Excellent bowling! Very full, on middle and Pant can't get under it. He drills it down the ground to long on and they race back for the second. The skipper gets his fifty as well in the end. Delhi finish with 172/5!

Shardul Thakur to Rishabh Pant, Another full and wide one, Pant creams it towards sweeper cover and Faf du Plessis is a bit sluggish in getting to it. This allows Pant to come back for the second with ease.

Shardul Thakur to Rishabh Pant, ! Edgy boundary but Pant won't mind as he moves to 47 with that. Very full and outside off. Pant looks to crunch it through covers but gets an inside edge past the stumps. The ball racesaway to the fine leg fence.

Shardul Thakur to Rishabh Pant, Third dot on the trot in the final over! Very full, around off and Pant thumps it to covers but finds the fielder inside the circle.

Shardul Thakur to bowl the final over.

Shardul Thakur to Rishabh Pant, Full and wide, Thakur gets it perfectly well inside the tramline. Pant can't get to it and it's another dot ball.

Shardul Thakur to Rishabh Pant, Pant couldn't make up his mind in time as to which shot to play. A slower delivery, around off. Pant looks to lap it over the keeper but misses and gets hit on the pads.

Dwayne Bravo to Tom Curran, Brilliant yorker from Bravo, right on the money. Tom Curran can't do much about it apart from digging it out. As we say, it all happens in the 19th over. 11 runs and a wicket from it.

Dwayne Bravo to Rishabh Pant, Fullish ball, on off and at just 99.8 kph. Pant heaves it down to long off for a single.

Tom Curran is the next batsman in. 

Dwayne Bravo to Shimron Hetmyer, ! CAUGHT! Dwayne Bravo has his man but probably the damage is already done. Bravo bangs in a short one, on off and angling across the left-hander. Shimron Hetmyer goes after it and looks to pull on the leg side. He ends up skying it towards the deep mid-wicket region. Ravindra Jadeja settles under it and takes a fine catch. Shimron Hetmyer has to depart after stitching a crucial partnership.

Dwayne Bravo to Shimron Hetmyer, Just over. On off and Hetmyer just manages to clear Moeen Ali at mid off with his lofted shot. They race back for the second as the fielder cuts it off around the wide long off fence.

Dwayne Bravo to Rishabh Pant, Where has the bat gone? Pant has lost the bat completely but gets the connection alright. The bat flies to the leg side, the ball gets lofted to deep cover. Deepak Chahar tries his best to catch it in the deep, by diving forward, but it falls marginally short. Chahar does well to prevent the boundary.  Only a run in the end.

Dwayne Bravo to Rishabh Pant, ! Another one-handed shot. Bravo looks for the blockhole but misses and Rishabh Pant takes full advantage. Pant gets enough on it yet again and the ball just sails over the long off fence. Maximum.

Dwayne Bravo to Rishabh Pant, WIDE! That is a poor delivery from Dwayne Bravo. This is pushed way outside the off stump line and Pant leaves it alone. Wided.

Josh Hazlewood to Rishabh Pant, Very full, on off. Pant bunts it out on the off side and sets off for a quick run. 12 off the over, 39 in the last three.

Josh Hazlewood to Rishabh Pant, Aerial but safe! Full and wide from Hazlewood. Pant throws his bat at it but doesn't time it perfectly. The ball drops in no man's land at sweeper cover. The fielder cuts it off, keeping it to a couple.

Josh Hazlewood to Rishabh Pant, Pant tries to be cheeky but misses. Outside off and Pant looks to reverse-scoop it over the keeper's head but fails to connect.

Josh Hazlewood to Rishabh Pant, ! A length ball, on off and around 142 kph. Rishabh Pant just whips it and the ball races to the left of the long on fielder, into the fence. 150 comes up!

Josh Hazlewood (3-0-17-2) comes back into the attack.

Josh Hazlewood to Shimron Hetmyer, Full again, outside off. Hetmyer gets it through cover-point for a single.

Josh Hazlewood to Shimron Hetmyer, ! Full, on off. Shimron Hetmyer has nailed this one right back over the bowler's head for yet another boundary. Delhi are in ascendancy now!

Dwayne Bravo to Rishabh Pant, ! A streaky boundary for Rishabh Pant. Fullish ball, outside off. Pant throws his bat at it as he looks to go over covers. Pant gets a thick outside edge and it flies wide of Dhoni for a boundary at third man.

Dwayne Bravo to Shimron Hetmyer, Full and straight, Hetmyer forces it through extra cover for a single.

Dwayne Bravo to Shimron Hetmyer, WIDE! Pushed well wide outside off and this one is outside the tramline. Wided.

Dwayne Bravo to Rishabh Pant, Bravo gets in the yorker at leg stump. Pant gets a bit squared up as he looks to flick. The ball goes off the leading edge towards short third man. Josh Hazlewood dives to his right and saves a certain boundary. One run taken.

Dwayne Bravo to Shimron Hetmyer, Very full, on off. Hetmyer pushes it down to long off for a single. Good batting, rotating the strike right after the boundary.

Dwayne Bravo to Shimron Hetmyer, ! Seam up from Bravo and this is short and wide. Shimron Hetmyer stands his ground and pulls it powerfully to the cow corner fence. The 50-run stand comes up!

Dwayne Bravo to Rishabh Pant, Bravo sees Pant advancing and fires in a full and wide one. Pant manages to reach it and gets it through cover-point. They take a single.

Strategic Time-Out! Chennai bowled reasonably well in the last few overs but now Rishabh Pant and Shimron Hetmyer are looking to attack more. This pair is set and Delhi would be hoping for some fireworks at the death. How many runs can they add more to Delhi's total from here on? 

Shardul Thakur to Rishabh Pant, Thakur does get it full and wide this time but inside the guideline. Pant squeezes it to deep point for a single. 14 off the over.

Shardul Thakur to Rishabh Pant, WIDE! Thakur doesn't want to bowl into Pant's arc and understandably goes full and wide. This is just outside the tramline though. Pant leaves. Wided.

Shardul Thakur to Shimron Hetmyer, Thakur hits the length hard and Hetmyer looks to pull. The ball hurries onto him a bit and Hetmyer inside edges it towards short mid-wicket. They scamper through for a run.

Shardul Thakur to Rishabh Pant, Full and wide, Pant crunches it to sweeper cover for a run.

Shardul Thakur to Rishabh Pant, Short and wide, Pant throws his bat at it and picks up a brace as the ball races towards deep backward point.

Shardul Thakur to Rishabh Pant, ! How has that gone the distance? A full toss, on off. Rishabh Pant looks to fetch it and whack it across but his one hand comes off the bat. The ball still goes high and handsome over the cow corner fence. Unreal!

Shardul Thakur to Shimron Hetmyer, A length ball, on middle and leg. Hetmyer swings across the line but mistimes it to wide long on. They get a single.

Shardul Thakur comes back on. 

Shardul Thakur to Shimron Hetmyer, WIDE! Thakur bangs in a short one on middle, a bit too high. Wided.

Dwayne Bravo to Shimron Hetmyer, A length ball, around off. Hetmyer caresses it through cover-point for a run.

Dwayne Bravo to Shimron Hetmyer, Slower delivery, just 102.5 kph and on leg stump. Hetmyer blocks it out.

Dwayne Bravo to Shimron Hetmyer, ! Seam up from Bravo and it's very full, outside off. Shimron Hetmyer opens the face of the bat and guides it to the third man fence.

Dwayne Bravo to Rishabh Pant, On the pads and this is tucked away to deep square leg for one.

Dwayne Bravo to Rishabh Pant, In the slot, on off. Pant can't get under it and hits it straight to mid off.

Dwayne Bravo is introduced into the attack. 

Dwayne Bravo to Shimron Hetmyer, A length ball, on middle and leg, asking Shimron Hetmyer to hit towards the longer side of the ground. Hetmyer swings it towards deep mid-wicket for a single.

Moeen Ali to Rishabh Pant, Slowed up and on off. Pant defends it out. 11 off the over, a good one for Delhi. 4-0-27-1, despite an expensive last over, Moeen finishes with brilliant figures.

Moeen Ali to Rishabh Pant, WIDE! A quicker delivery fired in down the leg side. Pant misses the flick and a wide is signalled by the umpire.

Moeen Ali to Shimron Hetmyer, Sliding down the leg side and this is flicked to deep backward square leg for another one.

Moeen Ali to Rishabh Pant, On the pads and Pant goes down on one knee and sweeps it behind square leg for a single.

Moeen Ali to Shimron Hetmyer, Flatter delivery, on off, Shimron eases it down to long off for a single.

Moeen Ali to Shimron Hetmyer, ! Bang! This is dragged down from Moeen Ali. Shimron Hetmyer rocks back and gets enough power on it to clear the mid-wicket fence and it's a welcome biggie for Delhi. 100 up!

Moeen Ali to Rishabh Pant, On middle and Pant whips it to deep mid-wicket for just a single. Jadeja runs across to his left in the deep and fires in a rocket throw to the keeper. Pant wanted one more run but Shimron Hetmyer showed his back.

Deepak Chahar to Rishabh Pant, Length ball, outside off. Rishabh Pant taps it towards backward point for a single. A good comeback over from Deepak Chahar. 

Deepak Chahar to Shimron Hetmyer, Short of a length, on middle and staying low. Shimron Hetmyer pulls it towards deep square leg. He rotates the strike by picking up a single. 

Deepak Chahar to Shimron Hetmyer, Fuller in length, on off. Shimron Hetmyer defends it to mid-wicket. 

Deepak Chahar to Shimron Hetmyer, WIDE! Attempted short ball, way too outside off. Shimron Hetmyer leaves it alone. Wided.

Deepak Chahar to Rishabh Pant, Length ball, on off. Rishabh Pant tucks it to mid-wicket. Deepak Chahar quickly runs to that side and collects the ball. Keeps it down to a single. 

Deepak Chahar (2-0-20-0) has been brought back into the attack.

Deepak Chahar to Shimron Hetmyer, Short ball, on middle. Shimron Hetmyer mistimes his pull to deep square leg for a single. 

Deepak Chahar to Rishabh Pant, Length ball, on middle and leg. Rishabh Pant whips it to deep mid-wicket for a single. 

Moeen Ali to Shimron Hetmyer, Outside off, Shimron Hetmyer plays it straight to extra cover on this occasion. Another tidy over from the offie.

Moeen Ali to Shimron Hetmyer, Tosses it up, outside off, Shimron Hetmyer drives the ball down the ground to wide long off for another couple of runs. 

Moeen Ali to Shimron Hetmyer, Outside off, Shimron Hetmyer goes on the back foot and punches it through covers for a couple of runs. 

Moeen Ali to Rishabh Pant, Short and outside off, Rishabh Pant pulls it to deep mid-wicket for a single. 

Moeen Ali to Shimron Hetmyer, Short and on off, Shimron Hetmyer flicks it to mid-wicket for one. 

Moeen Ali to Rishabh Pant, Full and on middle, pushed down to long on for a run.

Ravindra Jadeja to Rishabh Pant, Flatter ball, on middle. Rishabh Pant nudges it on the leg side for a single. Top over from Jadeja!

Ravindra Jadeja to Shimron Hetmyer, Plenty of confusion between the batters but no harm done in the end! Full and outside off, Shimron Hetmyer flicks it in front of square leg and crosses for a run. Moeen Ali there misfields and then throws the ball in the middle of the pitch. Both the batters think for the second run as the backup fielder misfields this time but ultimately they decide against taking any risk. After all the drama, it's just one run added to Delhi's total. 

Shimron Hetmyer comes in to bat with Delhi on the back foot.

Ravindra Jadeja to Rishabh Pant, Fraction short yet again, outside off. Rishabh Pant cuts it towards sweeper cover for one. 

Ravindra Jadeja to Rishabh Pant, Short and outside off. Rishabh Pant pushes it back to the bowler. 

Ravindra Jadeja to Prithvi Shaw, ! TAKEN! You cannot keep Ravindra Jadeja out of the game, can you? He always delivers for his team, be it with the ball, bat, or in the field. This time he bags a wicket and removes the dangerous Prithvi Shaw. Jadeja tosses it up, on off. Prithvi Shaw makes room for himself and plays an inside-out shot. He gets enough contact but just not enough to clear the ropes. Faf du Plessis at long off runs to his left and completes the catch with a perfectly-ti

Ravindra Jadeja to Rishabh Pant, Flatter ball, on off. Rishabh Pant works it to long on. He crosses ends. 

Moeen Ali to Rishabh Pant, Risky run! Slower and outside off, Rishabh Pant pushes it towards covers for a quick single. The fielder has a shy at the bowler's end but misses. Had the ball hit the stumps, Rishabh Pant was a goner!

The skipper, Rishabh Pant comes in at number 5.

Moeen Ali to Prithvi Shaw, Tosses it up, on middle. Prithvi Shaw knocks it down to long on for a single.

Moeen Ali to Axar Patel, ! CAUGHT! Moeen Ali gets the breakthrough. The idea of promoting Axar Patel up the order doesn't work. Moeen Ali drops the ball short and outside off, Axar Patel goes on the back foot and tries to pull. The ball though goes off the top edge towards long on. The substitute fielder, Mitchell Santner, settles himself under it and grabs the ball without any fuss. 

Moeen Ali to Prithvi Shaw, Fuller, on middle. Prithvi Shaw eases it down to long on for a run. 

Moeen Ali to Axar Patel, Floats it up, on middle. Axar Patel smashes it off the back foot towards long on for a single. 

Moeen Ali to Prithvi Shaw, Tosses it up, on off. Prithvi Shaw goes back and drops the ball on the leg side for a single. 

Strategic Time-Out! Wow! It has been a fascinating first nine overs here. Prithvi Shaw looked edgy at the start but has brought up a classy half-century and has kept Delhi on the front foot. For Chennai, it has been Josh Hazlewood who has been the star, as he has sent two experienced batters back in the hut. Will Shaw keep up the good work or will the spinners of Chennai make some inroads?

Ravindra Jadeja to Axar Patel, Full and around off, Axar Patel pushes it back to the bowler. 10 from this over.

Ravindra Jadeja to Prithvi Shaw, Slower delivery, on middle. Prithvi Shaw works it to mid-wicket for a single. 

Ravindra Jadeja to Prithvi Shaw, ! Beautifully played! Very full and on the stumps, Prithvi Shaw gets down on one knee and belts that one between deep square leg and deep mid-wicket for a boundary. 

Ravindra Jadeja to Prithvi Shaw, Ravindra Jadeja again bowls it short, outside off. Prithvi Shaw cuts it but chops it straight to short third man. 

Ravindra Jadeja to Prithvi Shaw, ! Finds the gap! Short and outside off, Prithvi Shaw sits deep in his crease and carves it through backward point for a boundary. He reaches his fifty as well. What an attacking display it has been from the youngster so far!

Ravindra Jadeja to Axar Patel, Outside off, Axar Patel punches it down to long on for a single. 

Moeen Ali to Axar Patel, Slower through the air, on middle. Axar Patel stays deep in the crease and works it through mid-wicket for a single. A tidy over from Moeen Ali. Only 4 runs from it. 

Moeen Ali to Prithvi Shaw, Flighted ball, on off. Prithvi Shaw eases it towards long on for a run.

Moeen Ali to Prithvi Shaw, Full and on off, Prithvi Shaw knocks it back to the bowler. 

Moeen Ali to Axar Patel, Flighted delivery, around off. Axar Patel works it down to long off for another single. 

Moeen Ali to Prithvi Shaw, Short and outside off, Prithvi Shaw pushes the ball towards covers for a single. 

Spin from both ends as Moeen Ali is brought into the attack now.

Moeen Ali to Prithvi Shaw, Loopy ball, on middle. Prithvi Shaw defends it to mid-wicket off the front foot. 

Ravindra Jadeja to Prithvi Shaw, On middle, Prithvi Shaw tucks it to mid-wicket for a run. 

Ravindra Jadeja to Axar Patel, Flatter delivery, on middle. Axar Patel tries to work it on the leg side. He gets a leading edge to cover-point and the batters pick up a single. 

Ravindra Jadeja to Axar Patel, ! Full and wide, outside off. Axar Patel slices that one over point. Dwayne Bravo runs to his left to stop the ball but misfields and allows the ball to go over the ropes. A boundary. 

Ravindra Jadeja to Prithvi Shaw, Tad short from Ravindra Jadeja, outside off. Prithvi Shaw nudges it to mid-wicket for a run. 

Ravindra Jadeja to Axar Patel, Quicker delivery, outside off, at 93.4 kph. Axar Patel works it to long off for one. 

Ravindra Jadeja comes on to bowl now.

Ravindra Jadeja to Prithvi Shaw, Flatter ball, angling on the pads. Prithvi Shaw works it to short fine leg for a single. 

Josh Hazlewood to Axar Patel, Around middle and off, on a length, Patel works it to mid-wicket but not in the gap. Another excellent over from the Aussie. Just 1 run and a wicket from it. At the end of the Powerplay, Delhi are 51/2.

Josh Hazlewood to Axar Patel, On a length around middle, played out from the crease to the leg side.

Axar Patel has been promoted up the order and comes in at number 4.

Josh Hazlewood to Prithvi Shaw, Fuller and outside off, Shaw drives it square of the wicket on the off side for a single.

Josh Hazlewood to Shreyas Iyer, ! Second wicket for Josh Hazlewood as Shreyas Iyer is CAUGHT! Another delivery is angled on middle and leg at 136.8 kph, sliding down further, Shreyas Iyer tries to flick but closes the face of his bat early. The leading edge flies towards covers, Ruturaj Gaikwad moves across to his right from point, keeps his eyes on the ball and takes the skier safely.

Josh Hazlewood to Shreyas Iyer, Chance of a run out, missed. Angling into the batsman, Shreyas helps it off his pads to square leg and looks for a run. He is mid-way down the track but is sent back. Iyer slips a bit as he turns but reaches safely as Moeen misses his shy at the striker's end.

Josh Hazlewood to Shreyas Iyer, Shortish and on middle, worked on the leg side but not in the gap.

Shardul Thakur to Prithvi Shaw, PUT DOWN! A very tough chance but MS Dhoni would be disappointed with himself. Slower delivery, short and wide outside off, Shaw tries to play the ramp shot but it takes the toe end of the bat and flies behind. Dhoni dives across to his right but only manages to get his fingertips on it. He deflects it to short third man. Has stopped a certain boundary.

Shardul Thakur to Prithvi Shaw, ! Dismissed with a straight bat. Quality strike from the young man. Fuller and around off, Prithvi Shaw shows tremendous bat speed as he launches it behind the bowler for a biggie. 50 up!

Shardul Thakur to Prithvi Shaw, Play and a miss! Fuller and wider outside off, Shaw chases but misses.

Shardul Thakur to Shreyas Iyer, Fantastic stop by Ravindra Jadeja! Short in length and wide outside off, Iyer cracks it off his back foot to backward point. Jadeja dives across to his right and takes the pace off the ball. He parries it to point and they cross for a run. 

Shardul Thakur to Prithvi Shaw, On a length around middle, Shaw closes the face of his bat and works it in the gap at mid-wicket for a single.

Shardul Thakur to Prithvi Shaw, ! Prithvi Shaw has nailed it! A touch short in length outside off, Shaw attacks it with all his might and dismisses it all the way over deep mid-wicket. Prithvi Shaw will continue to play his shots, that's his role.

Here comes the first change in bowling. Shardul Thakur comes in to replace Deepak Chahar.

Josh Hazlewood to Shreyas Iyer, Bowls it on a length and in the line of the stumps, Iyers steps back to make room but pushes it towards point. Great over from Josh Hazlewood, 4 runs and a wicket from it. 

Josh Hazlewood to Shreyas Iyer, Pitches it up and outside off, Shreyas drives it through the line. The cover fielder misses it as he dives but Faf du Plessis has it covered, after running across to his left from mid off.

Josh Hazlewood to Shreyas Iyer, Full and around off, angling in at 140.4 kph, Iyer defends it back to the bowler.

Shreyas Iyer walks out to bat at number 3. A slip in place.

Josh Hazlewood to Shreyas Iyer, On a length and outside off, Shreyas Iyer pushes it with an angled bat to point.

Josh Hazlewood to Shikhar Dhawan, ! CAUGHT BEHIND! Josh Hazlewood responds with a wicket, a big scalp for Chennai as Dhawan departs. Hazlewood shows that the Test-match length can work in T20s as well. Puts it on a good length around off, gets it to nip away a shade at 144.7 kph, Dhawan is caught on the back foot as he tries to push it through the line. A thick outside edge gets generated and Dhoni does the rest behind the wickets.

Josh Hazlewood to Shikhar Dhawan, ! Dhawan joins the fun. Fuller in length and on middle, Shikhar walks down the track and lofts it over the bowler's head for a boundary.

Deepak Chahar to Prithvi Shaw, ! Very poor from Chahar. Offers width outside off, short in length, Shaw latches onto it and whacks it through backward point for yet another boundary. 17 from the over and Delhi are off to a flying start in Qualifier 1.

Deepak Chahar to Prithvi Shaw, ! Boundaries are flowing from the bat of Shaw. The line from Chahar is quite ordinary. It's on a length around middle and leg, at 118 kph, Shaw glances it behind square leg and beats the chasing short fine leg fielder.

Deepak Chahar to Prithvi Shaw, Chahar pitches it up and around off, Shaw plays a mistimed on drive to mid on.

Deepak Chahar to Prithvi Shaw, ! Sweetly timed. This one is right from the middle of the bat. Fractionally short and around off, Prithvi Shaw rocks on the back foot and punches it through point for a boundary.

Deepak Chahar to Prithvi Shaw, ! Prithvi Shaw is the master of edges this evening. Back of a length, around off, Prithvi Shaw stays back to smash it over the leg side but drags it off the inner edge past short fine leg. Another boundary.

Josh Hazlewood to Prithvi Shaw, ! Another edgy shot and this one has gone the distance. Short and around leg, angling down at 132 clicks, Prithvi Shaw swivels to pull but top-edges it behind the keeper for a biggie. Nothing wrong in the over from Josh Hazlewood but still he has conceded 12 runs.

Deepak Chahar to Shikhar Dhawan, Slower and short around off at 118.7 kph, Dhawan hangs back and taps it down to cover-point for a run. A nice approach, Dhawan will accumulate runs and Shaw will attack.

Josh Hazlewood to Shikhar Dhawan, It's served on a good length, around middle at 139.6 kph, Dhawan walks across the stumps and nudges it behind square leg for a single.

Josh Hazlewood to Prithvi Shaw, Josh Hazlewood hits the deck hard and clocks 132.9 kph, it's on a length around off and Shaw drops it with gentle hands towards mid-wicket. They pinch a quick single.

Josh Hazlewood to Prithvi Shaw, ! Off the top edge! A 141 kph short delivery outside off, Prithvi Shaw again tries to pull from the back foot but this time it grabs the top edge and flies behind the keeper for a boundary.

Josh Hazlewood to Prithvi Shaw, Big shot attempted but it's not in the gap. Back of a length and outside off, at 144 kph, Prithvi Shaw tries to pull but it takes the inner half and rolls to mid-wicket.

Josh Hazlewood to steam in from the other end.

Josh Hazlewood to Prithvi Shaw, Josh Hazlewood is quite straight with his line first up, on a length, Prithvi Shaw flicks it on the leg side but finds the fielder inside the ring at mid-wicket.

Deepak Chahar to Prithvi Shaw, 3 runs from the opening over! Around off on a length, Shaw turns inside the crease and works it to deep mid-wicket. There is a fielder manning that region and hence only a run.

Deepak Chahar to Shikhar Dhawan, Dhawan is off the mark now! Chahar delivers it on a length around middle, Dhawan eases it towards square leg and scampers across to the other end.

Deepak Chahar to Shikhar Dhawan, Chahar goes very full and wide outside off and gets away with a bad ball. Dhawan drives square of the wicket but finds the point fielder.

Deepak Chahar to Shikhar Dhawan, On a good length, around middle and off, Dhawan sticks back inside the crease and plays it down towards backward point.

We are ready for play. The umpires stride out to the middle followed by the players of Chennai. Out come the openers for Delhi, Shikhar Dhawan and Prithvi Shaw. Deepak Chahar has the new ball in hand. Here we go... Hang on, Deepak probably loses his run-up and pulls out. Take 2!

Deepak Chahar to Prithvi Shaw, Back of a length, on middle, Shaw stays back and wrists it in front of square leg for a run. Delhi are underway.

Deepak Chahar to Prithvi Shaw, Starts with a slightly short delivery, around off and moving away, Shaw punches from the back foot but finds the fielder at cover-point.

Rishabh Pant, the skipper of Delhi, says that they have batted first enough to be able to go out and set a target but if given the choice, he would have bowled first as well. Admits that he is a bit nervous. He mentions that there is one change in the XI with Tom Curran coming in for Ripal Patel. Adds that when you play one team again and again and get a few wins on the trot, it helps your confidence but they cannot take this match lightly.

MS Dhoni, the captain of Chennai, says that in whatever games they have played so far at this venue, they feel it helps the bowlers as it stops a bit initially but adds that it no way eases out a lot and it is still a tough wicket with no exact pattern. About the mentality to play the playoffs, MS Dhoni replies that they try to keep things simple irrespective of whether it is a playoff match or any other one and adds that they just try to analyze where they can improve. Informs that Chennai are

Delhi (Playing XI) - Shikhar Dhawan, Prithvi Shaw, Shreyas Iyer, Rishabh Pant (C/WK), Shimron Hetmyer, Axar Patel, Tom Curran (In for Ripal Patel), Ravichandran Ashwin, Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje, Avesh Khan.

Chennai (Playing XI) - Ruturaj Gaikwad, Faf du Plessis, Moeen Ali, Ambati Rayudu, Robin Uthappa, MS Dhoni (C/WK), Ravindra Jadeja, Dwayne Bravo, Shardul Thakur, Deepak Chahar, Josh Hazlewood.

TOSS - Both the captains are out in the middle. Pant flips the coin and Dhoni calls correctly. Chennai have elected to BOWL first. 

Pitch report - Pommie Mbangwa and Matthew Hayden are the pitch inspectors for the evening. The former starts by informing that the square boundaries are shorter on one side and longer on the other. Hayden reckons that this surface is looking better than the one where Delhi faced Bangalore in the last league match. Mentions that there is less grass and it is dry. Reckons that the cracks haven't come into play because this is only the third time that this pitch is being used. Adds that 160 is th

... MATCH DAY ...

Hello and a warm welcome to everyone for the coverage of Qualifier 1 between Delhi and Chennai in Dubai. It's been a blockbuster season so far, full of fun and drama, and we're expecting the climax to be equally exciting. Eight teams have been trimmed down to four and the top two are going to lock horns this evening. There's nothing much to differentiate between the two teams and let's hope for a close contest. So, pick your favourite and enjoy the ride. 

Chennai are following an unwanted 3-match losing streak and that's the most common point mentioned in the build-up to this game. That's true but one can't really judge Chennai's form based on the last few games. They're the 3-time champions and the point worth remembering is that Chennai unlock their beast mode in the playoffs. Hence it's needless to read too much into their last three defeats. As Dhoni had said, they need to fine-tune a few areas before the playoffs and expect them to do that i

Over the years, Delhi were criticized for being inconsistent and often were the punching bags for other teams. Things though have changed drastically in the last few editions. They finished third in 2019, second in 2020 and are the table-toppers in the ongoing season. The graph of Delhi has steadily gone up and their aim this time would be to go the distance and taste glory. Against Chennai, they're on a roll, winning the last four matches, and it's no mean feat to achieve. Another stat though s

7/10 - Dubai has been a venue for the chasers in this edition. Seven teams have won batting second in the last ten night games and dew often plays a factor. Toss is going to be crucial!

Josh Hazlewood (4-0-29-2) comes up for a quick chat. The Aussie says that the score is just about par. Feels that the ball was sliding well and batting got a bit easier towards the end. Mentions that it's just about mixing up your lengths and pre-empt what the batters try to do. States that the dew is setting in and thus, the wicket should get better to bat on. Jokingly says that he hopes he doesn't get to bat.

... THE RUN CHASE ...

Right then, Chennai need 173 to get a straight entry into the final. They have firepower in their batting but they depend too much on the top two. Their middle order has been shaky and Delhi have the arsenal in their bowling attack to take them down. Should be a riveting chase. Stay tuned...

It was the Prithvi Shaw show for Delhi at the start. The young man started by playing a few edgy shots but soon got into his zone. He plundered some boundaries and provided Delhi with a brisk start. The problem though was that he was the lone one scoring runs as the rest either struggled or got out. Eventually, Shaw also was caught in the 11th over and the runs dried up as the Chennai spinners choked the flow of runs. The pair of Hetmyer and Pant though got together after that and injected some

Not a desired finish in the last over but still, Delhi have posted a very strong total on the board. Rishabh Pant and Shimron Hetmyer were brilliant during their partnership and helped Delhi in recovering from a precarious situation. Chennai would be a shade disappointed as they had Delhi under the pump but couldn't maintain the pressure for long.

Shardul Thakur to Rishabh Pant, Excellent bowling! Very full, on middle and Pant can't get under it. He drills it down the ground to long on and they race back for the second. The skipper gets his fifty as well in the end. Delhi finish with 172/5!

Shardul Thakur to Rishabh Pant, Another full and wide one, Pant creams it towards sweeper cover and Faf du Plessis is a bit sluggish in getting to it. This allows Pant to come back for the second with ease.

Shardul Thakur to Rishabh Pant, ! Edgy boundary but Pant won't mind as he moves to 47 with that. Very full and outside off. Pant looks to crunch it through covers but gets an inside edge past the stumps. The ball racesaway to the fine leg fence.

Shardul Thakur to Rishabh Pant, Third dot on the trot in the final over! Very full, around off and Pant thumps it to covers but finds the fielder inside the circle.

Shardul Thakur to bowl the final over.

Shardul Thakur to Rishabh Pant, Full and wide, Thakur gets it perfectly well inside the tramline. Pant can't get to it and it's another dot ball.

Shardul Thakur to Rishabh Pant, Pant couldn't make up his mind in time as to which shot to play. A slower delivery, around off. Pant looks to lap it over the keeper but misses and gets hit on the pads.

Dwayne Bravo to Tom Curran, Brilliant yorker from Bravo, right on the money. Tom Curran can't do much about it apart from digging it out. As we say, it all happens in the 19th over. 11 runs and a wicket from it.

Dwayne Bravo to Rishabh Pant, Fullish ball, on off and at just 99.8 kph. Pant heaves it down to long off for a single.

Tom Curran is the next batsman in. 

Dwayne Bravo to Shimron Hetmyer, ! CAUGHT! Dwayne Bravo has his man but probably the damage is already done. Bravo bangs in a short one, on off and angling across the left-hander. Shimron Hetmyer goes after it and looks to pull on the leg side. He ends up skying it towards the deep mid-wicket region. Ravindra Jadeja settles under it and takes a fine catch. Shimron Hetmyer has to depart after stitching a crucial partnership.

Dwayne Bravo to Shimron Hetmyer, Just over. On off and Hetmyer just manages to clear Moeen Ali at mid off with his lofted shot. They race back for the second as the fielder cuts it off around the wide long off fence.

Dwayne Bravo to Rishabh Pant, Where has the bat gone? Pant has lost the bat completely but gets the connection alright. The bat flies to the leg side, the ball gets lofted to deep cover. Deepak Chahar tries his best to catch it in the deep, by diving forward, but it falls marginally short. Chahar does well to prevent the boundary.  Only a run in the end.

Dwayne Bravo to Rishabh Pant, ! Another one-handed shot. Bravo looks for the blockhole but misses and Rishabh Pant takes full advantage. Pant gets enough on it yet again and the ball just sails over the long off fence. Maximum.

Dwayne Bravo to Rishabh Pant, WIDE! That is a poor delivery from Dwayne Bravo. This is pushed way outside the off stump line and Pant leaves it alone. Wided.

Josh Hazlewood to Rishabh Pant, Very full, on off. Pant bunts it out on the off side and sets off for a quick run. 12 off the over, 39 in the last three.

Josh Hazlewood to Rishabh Pant, Aerial but safe! Full and wide from Hazlewood. Pant throws his bat at it but doesn't time it perfectly. The ball drops in no man's land at sweeper cover. The fielder cuts it off, keeping it to a couple.

Josh Hazlewood to Rishabh Pant, Pant tries to be cheeky but misses. Outside off and Pant looks to reverse-scoop it over the keeper's head but fails to connect.

Josh Hazlewood to Rishabh Pant, ! A length ball, on off and around 142 kph. Rishabh Pant just whips it and the ball races to the left of the long on fielder, into the fence. 150 comes up!

Josh Hazlewood (3-0-17-2) comes back into the attack.

Josh Hazlewood to Shimron Hetmyer, Full again, outside off. Hetmyer gets it through cover-point for a single.

Josh Hazlewood to Shimron Hetmyer, ! Full, on off. Shimron Hetmyer has nailed this one right back over the bowler's head for yet another boundary. Delhi are in ascendancy now!

Dwayne Bravo to Rishabh Pant, ! A streaky boundary for Rishabh Pant. Fullish ball, outside off. Pant throws his bat at it as he looks to go over covers. Pant gets a thick outside edge and it flies wide of Dhoni for a boundary at third man.

Dwayne Bravo to Shimron Hetmyer, Full and straight, Hetmyer forces it through extra cover for a single.

Dwayne Bravo to Shimron Hetmyer, WIDE! Pushed well wide outside off and this one is outside the tramline. Wided.

Dwayne Bravo to Rishabh Pant, Bravo gets in the yorker at leg stump. Pant gets a bit squared up as he looks to flick. The ball goes off the leading edge towards short third man. Josh Hazlewood dives to his right and saves a certain boundary. One run taken.

Dwayne Bravo to Shimron Hetmyer, Very full, on off. Hetmyer pushes it down to long off for a single. Good batting, rotating the strike right after the boundary.

Dwayne Bravo to Shimron Hetmyer, ! Seam up from Bravo and this is short and wide. Shimron Hetmyer stands his ground and pulls it powerfully to the cow corner fence. The 50-run stand comes up!

Dwayne Bravo to Rishabh Pant, Bravo sees Pant advancing and fires in a full and wide one. Pant manages to reach it and gets it through cover-point. They take a single.

Strategic Time-Out! Chennai bowled reasonably well in the last few overs but now Rishabh Pant and Shimron Hetmyer are looking to attack more. This pair is set and Delhi would be hoping for some fireworks at the death. How many runs can they add more to Delhi's total from here on? 

Shardul Thakur to Rishabh Pant, Thakur does get it full and wide this time but inside the guideline. Pant squeezes it to deep point for a single. 14 off the over.

Shardul Thakur to Rishabh Pant, WIDE! Thakur doesn't want to bowl into Pant's arc and understandably goes full and wide. This is just outside the tramline though. Pant leaves. Wided.

Shardul Thakur to Shimron Hetmyer, Thakur hits the length hard and Hetmyer looks to pull. The ball hurries onto him a bit and Hetmyer inside edges it towards short mid-wicket. They scamper through for a run.

Shardul Thakur to Rishabh Pant, Full and wide, Pant crunches it to sweeper cover for a run.

Shardul Thakur to Rishabh Pant, Short and wide, Pant throws his bat at it and picks up a brace as the ball races towards deep backward point.

Shardul Thakur to Rishabh Pant, ! How has that gone the distance? A full toss, on off. Rishabh Pant looks to fetch it and whack it across but his one hand comes off the bat. The ball still goes high and handsome over the cow corner fence. Unreal!

Shardul Thakur to Shimron Hetmyer, A length ball, on middle and leg. Hetmyer swings across the line but mistimes it to wide long on. They get a single.

Shardul Thakur comes back on. 

Shardul Thakur to Shimron Hetmyer, WIDE! Thakur bangs in a short one on middle, a bit too high. Wided.

Dwayne Bravo to Shimron Hetmyer, A length ball, around off. Hetmyer caresses it through cover-point for a run.

Dwayne Bravo to Shimron Hetmyer, Slower delivery, just 102.5 kph and on leg stump. Hetmyer blocks it out.

Dwayne Bravo to Shimron Hetmyer, ! Seam up from Bravo and it's very full, outside off. Shimron Hetmyer opens the face of the bat and guides it to the third man fence.

Dwayne Bravo to Rishabh Pant, On the pads and this is tucked away to deep square leg for one.

Dwayne Bravo to Rishabh Pant, In the slot, on off. Pant can't get under it and hits it straight to mid off.

Dwayne Bravo is introduced into the attack. 

Dwayne Bravo to Shimron Hetmyer, A length ball, on middle and leg, asking Shimron Hetmyer to hit towards the longer side of the ground. Hetmyer swings it towards deep mid-wicket for a single.

Moeen Ali to Rishabh Pant, Slowed up and on off. Pant defends it out. 11 off the over, a good one for Delhi. 4-0-27-1, despite an expensive last over, Moeen finishes with brilliant figures.

Moeen Ali to Rishabh Pant, WIDE! A quicker delivery fired in down the leg side. Pant misses the flick and a wide is signalled by the umpire.

Moeen Ali to Shimron Hetmyer, Sliding down the leg side and this is flicked to deep backward square leg for another one.

Moeen Ali to Rishabh Pant, On the pads and Pant goes down on one knee and sweeps it behind square leg for a single.

Moeen Ali to Shimron Hetmyer, Flatter delivery, on off, Shimron eases it down to long off for a single.

Moeen Ali to Shimron Hetmyer, ! Bang! This is dragged down from Moeen Ali. Shimron Hetmyer rocks back and gets enough power on it to clear the mid-wicket fence and it's a welcome biggie for Delhi. 100 up!

Moeen Ali to Rishabh Pant, On middle and Pant whips it to deep mid-wicket for just a single. Jadeja runs across to his left in the deep and fires in a rocket throw to the keeper. Pant wanted one more run but Shimron Hetmyer showed his back.

Deepak Chahar to Rishabh Pant, Length ball, outside off. Rishabh Pant taps it towards backward point for a single. A good comeback over from Deepak Chahar. 

Deepak Chahar to Shimron Hetmyer, Short of a length, on middle and staying low. Shimron Hetmyer pulls it towards deep square leg. He rotates the strike by picking up a single. 

Deepak Chahar to Shimron Hetmyer, Fuller in length, on off. Shimron Hetmyer defends it to mid-wicket. 

Deepak Chahar to Shimron Hetmyer, WIDE! Attempted short ball, way too outside off. Shimron Hetmyer leaves it alone. Wided.

Deepak Chahar to Rishabh Pant, Length ball, on off. Rishabh Pant tucks it to mid-wicket. Deepak Chahar quickly runs to that side and collects the ball. Keeps it down to a single. 

Deepak Chahar (2-0-20-0) has been brought back into the attack.

Deepak Chahar to Shimron Hetmyer, Short ball, on middle. Shimron Hetmyer mistimes his pull to deep square leg for a single. 

Deepak Chahar to Rishabh Pant, Length ball, on middle and leg. Rishabh Pant whips it to deep mid-wicket for a single. 

Moeen Ali to Shimron Hetmyer, Outside off, Shimron Hetmyer plays it straight to extra cover on this occasion. Another tidy over from the offie.

Moeen Ali to Shimron Hetmyer, Tosses it up, outside off, Shimron Hetmyer drives the ball down the ground to wide long off for another couple of runs. 

Moeen Ali to Shimron Hetmyer, Outside off, Shimron Hetmyer goes on the back foot and punches it through covers for a couple of runs. 

Moeen Ali to Rishabh Pant, Short and outside off, Rishabh Pant pulls it to deep mid-wicket for a single. 

Moeen Ali to Shimron Hetmyer, Short and on off, Shimron Hetmyer flicks it to mid-wicket for one. 

Moeen Ali to Rishabh Pant, Full and on middle, pushed down to long on for a run.

Ravindra Jadeja to Rishabh Pant, Flatter ball, on middle. Rishabh Pant nudges it on the leg side for a single. Top over from Jadeja!

Ravindra Jadeja to Shimron Hetmyer, Plenty of confusion between the batters but no harm done in the end! Full and outside off, Shimron Hetmyer flicks it in front of square leg and crosses for a run. Moeen Ali there misfields and then throws the ball in the middle of the pitch. Both the batters think for the second run as the backup fielder misfields this time but ultimately they decide against taking any risk. After all the drama, it's just one run added to Delhi's total. 

Shimron Hetmyer comes in to bat with Delhi on the back foot.

Ravindra Jadeja to Rishabh Pant, Fraction short yet again, outside off. Rishabh Pant cuts it towards sweeper cover for one. 

Ravindra Jadeja to Rishabh Pant, Short and outside off. Rishabh Pant pushes it back to the bowler. 

Ravindra Jadeja to Prithvi Shaw, ! TAKEN! You cannot keep Ravindra Jadeja out of the game, can you? He always delivers for his team, be it with the ball, bat, or in the field. This time he bags a wicket and removes the dangerous Prithvi Shaw. Jadeja tosses it up, on off. Prithvi Shaw makes room for himself and plays an inside-out shot. He gets enough contact but just not enough to clear the ropes. Faf du Plessis at long off runs to his left and completes the catch with a perfectly-ti

Ravindra Jadeja to Rishabh Pant, Flatter ball, on off. Rishabh Pant works it to long on. He crosses ends. 

Moeen Ali to Rishabh Pant, Risky run! Slower and outside off, Rishabh Pant pushes it towards covers for a quick single. The fielder has a shy at the bowler's end but misses. Had the ball hit the stumps, Rishabh Pant was a goner!

The skipper, Rishabh Pant comes in at number 5.

Moeen Ali to Prithvi Shaw, Tosses it up, on middle. Prithvi Shaw knocks it down to long on for a single.

Moeen Ali to Axar Patel, ! CAUGHT! Moeen Ali gets the breakthrough. The idea of promoting Axar Patel up the order doesn't work. Moeen Ali drops the ball short and outside off, Axar Patel goes on the back foot and tries to pull. The ball though goes off the top edge towards long on. The substitute fielder, Mitchell Santner, settles himself under it and grabs the ball without any fuss. 

Moeen Ali to Prithvi Shaw, Fuller, on middle. Prithvi Shaw eases it down to long on for a run. 

Moeen Ali to Axar Patel, Floats it up, on middle. Axar Patel smashes it off the back foot towards long on for a single. 

Moeen Ali to Prithvi Shaw, Tosses it up, on off. Prithvi Shaw goes back and drops the ball on the leg side for a single. 

Strategic Time-Out! Wow! It has been a fascinating first nine overs here. Prithvi Shaw looked edgy at the start but has brought up a classy half-century and has kept Delhi on the front foot. For Chennai, it has been Josh Hazlewood who has been the star, as he has sent two experienced batters back in the hut. Will Shaw keep up the good work or will the spinners of Chennai make some inroads?

Ravindra Jadeja to Axar Patel, Full and around off, Axar Patel pushes it back to the bowler. 10 from this over.

Ravindra Jadeja to Prithvi Shaw, Slower delivery, on middle. Prithvi Shaw works it to mid-wicket for a single. 

Ravindra Jadeja to Prithvi Shaw, ! Beautifully played! Very full and on the stumps, Prithvi Shaw gets down on one knee and belts that one between deep square leg and deep mid-wicket for a boundary. 

Ravindra Jadeja to Prithvi Shaw, Ravindra Jadeja again bowls it short, outside off. Prithvi Shaw cuts it but chops it straight to short third man. 

Ravindra Jadeja to Prithvi Shaw, ! Finds the gap! Short and outside off, Prithvi Shaw sits deep in his crease and carves it through backward point for a boundary. He reaches his fifty as well. What an attacking display it has been from the youngster so far!

Ravindra Jadeja to Axar Patel, Outside off, Axar Patel punches it down to long on for a single. 

Moeen Ali to Axar Patel, Slower through the air, on middle. Axar Patel stays deep in the crease and works it through mid-wicket for a single. A tidy over from Moeen Ali. Only 4 runs from it. 

Moeen Ali to Prithvi Shaw, Flighted ball, on off. Prithvi Shaw eases it towards long on for a run.

Moeen Ali to Prithvi Shaw, Full and on off, Prithvi Shaw knocks it back to the bowler. 

Moeen Ali to Axar Patel, Flighted delivery, around off. Axar Patel works it down to long off for another single. 

Moeen Ali to Prithvi Shaw, Short and outside off, Prithvi Shaw pushes the ball towards covers for a single. 

Spin from both ends as Moeen Ali is brought into the attack now.

Moeen Ali to Prithvi Shaw, Loopy ball, on middle. Prithvi Shaw defends it to mid-wicket off the front foot. 

Ravindra Jadeja to Prithvi Shaw, On middle, Prithvi Shaw tucks it to mid-wicket for a run. 

Ravindra Jadeja to Axar Patel, Flatter delivery, on middle. Axar Patel tries to work it on the leg side. He gets a leading edge to cover-point and the batters pick up a single. 

Ravindra Jadeja to Axar Patel, ! Full and wide, outside off. Axar Patel slices that one over point. Dwayne Bravo runs to his left to stop the ball but misfields and allows the ball to go over the ropes. A boundary. 

Ravindra Jadeja to Prithvi Shaw, Tad short from Ravindra Jadeja, outside off. Prithvi Shaw nudges it to mid-wicket for a run. 

Ravindra Jadeja to Axar Patel, Quicker delivery, outside off, at 93.4 kph. Axar Patel works it to long off for one. 

Ravindra Jadeja comes on to bowl now.

Ravindra Jadeja to Prithvi Shaw, Flatter ball, angling on the pads. Prithvi Shaw works it to short fine leg for a single. 

Josh Hazlewood to Axar Patel, Around middle and off, on a length, Patel works it to mid-wicket but not in the gap. Another excellent over from the Aussie. Just 1 run and a wicket from it. At the end of the Powerplay, Delhi are 51/2.

Josh Hazlewood to Axar Patel, On a length around middle, played out from the crease to the leg side.

Axar Patel has been promoted up the order and comes in at number 4.

Josh Hazlewood to Prithvi Shaw, Fuller and outside off, Shaw drives it square of the wicket on the off side for a single.

Josh Hazlewood to Shreyas Iyer, ! Second wicket for Josh Hazlewood as Shreyas Iyer is CAUGHT! Another delivery is angled on middle and leg at 136.8 kph, sliding down further, Shreyas Iyer tries to flick but closes the face of his bat early. The leading edge flies towards covers, Ruturaj Gaikwad moves across to his right from point, keeps his eyes on the ball and takes the skier safely.

Josh Hazlewood to Shreyas Iyer, Chance of a run out, missed. Angling into the batsman, Shreyas helps it off his pads to square leg and looks for a run. He is mid-way down the track but is sent back. Iyer slips a bit as he turns but reaches safely as Moeen misses his shy at the striker's end.

Josh Hazlewood to Shreyas Iyer, Shortish and on middle, worked on the leg side but not in the gap.

Shardul Thakur to Prithvi Shaw, PUT DOWN! A very tough chance but MS Dhoni would be disappointed with himself. Slower delivery, short and wide outside off, Shaw tries to play the ramp shot but it takes the toe end of the bat and flies behind. Dhoni dives across to his right but only manages to get his fingertips on it. He deflects it to short third man. Has stopped a certain boundary.

Shardul Thakur to Prithvi Shaw, ! Dismissed with a straight bat. Quality strike from the young man. Fuller and around off, Prithvi Shaw shows tremendous bat speed as he launches it behind the bowler for a biggie. 50 up!

Shardul Thakur to Prithvi Shaw, Play and a miss! Fuller and wider outside off, Shaw chases but misses.

Shardul Thakur to Shreyas Iyer, Fantastic stop by Ravindra Jadeja! Short in length and wide outside off, Iyer cracks it off his back foot to backward point. Jadeja dives across to his right and takes the pace off the ball. He parries it to point and they cross for a run. 

Shardul Thakur to Prithvi Shaw, On a length around middle, Shaw closes the face of his bat and works it in the gap at mid-wicket for a single.

Shardul Thakur to Prithvi Shaw, ! Prithvi Shaw has nailed it! A touch short in length outside off, Shaw attacks it with all his might and dismisses it all the way over deep mid-wicket. Prithvi Shaw will continue to play his shots, that's his role.

Here comes the first change in bowling. Shardul Thakur comes in to replace Deepak Chahar.

Josh Hazlewood to Shreyas Iyer, Bowls it on a length and in the line of the stumps, Iyers steps back to make room but pushes it towards point. Great over from Josh Hazlewood, 4 runs and a wicket from it. 

Josh Hazlewood to Shreyas Iyer, Pitches it up and outside off, Shreyas drives it through the line. The cover fielder misses it as he dives but Faf du Plessis has it covered, after running across to his left from mid off.

Josh Hazlewood to Shreyas Iyer, Full and around off, angling in at 140.4 kph, Iyer defends it back to the bowler.

Shreyas Iyer walks out to bat at number 3. A slip in place.

Josh Hazlewood to Shreyas Iyer, On a length and outside off, Shreyas Iyer pushes it with an angled bat to point.

Josh Hazlewood to Shikhar Dhawan, ! CAUGHT BEHIND! Josh Hazlewood responds with a wicket, a big scalp for Chennai as Dhawan departs. Hazlewood shows that the Test-match length can work in T20s as well. Puts it on a good length around off, gets it to nip away a shade at 144.7 kph, Dhawan is caught on the back foot as he tries to push it through the line. A thick outside edge gets generated and Dhoni does the rest behind the wickets.

Josh Hazlewood to Shikhar Dhawan, ! Dhawan joins the fun. Fuller in length and on middle, Shikhar walks down the track and lofts it over the bowler's head for a boundary.

Deepak Chahar to Prithvi Shaw, ! Very poor from Chahar. Offers width outside off, short in length, Shaw latches onto it and whacks it through backward point for yet another boundary. 17 from the over and Delhi are off to a flying start in Qualifier 1.

Deepak Chahar to Prithvi Shaw, ! Boundaries are flowing from the bat of Shaw. The line from Chahar is quite ordinary. It's on a length around middle and leg, at 118 kph, Shaw glances it behind square leg and beats the chasing short fine leg fielder.

Deepak Chahar to Prithvi Shaw, Chahar pitches it up and around off, Shaw plays a mistimed on drive to mid on.

Deepak Chahar to Prithvi Shaw, ! Sweetly timed. This one is right from the middle of the bat. Fractionally short and around off, Prithvi Shaw rocks on the back foot and punches it through point for a boundary.

Deepak Chahar to Prithvi Shaw, ! Prithvi Shaw is the master of edges this evening. Back of a length, around off, Prithvi Shaw stays back to smash it over the leg side but drags it off the inner edge past short fine leg. Another boundary.

Josh Hazlewood to Prithvi Shaw, ! Another edgy shot and this one has gone the distance. Short and around leg, angling down at 132 clicks, Prithvi Shaw swivels to pull but top-edges it behind the keeper for a biggie. Nothing wrong in the over from Josh Hazlewood but still he has conceded 12 runs.

Deepak Chahar to Shikhar Dhawan, Slower and short around off at 118.7 kph, Dhawan hangs back and taps it down to cover-point for a run. A nice approach, Dhawan will accumulate runs and Shaw will attack.

Josh Hazlewood to Shikhar Dhawan, It's served on a good length, around middle at 139.6 kph, Dhawan walks across the stumps and nudges it behind square leg for a single.

Josh Hazlewood to Prithvi Shaw, Josh Hazlewood hits the deck hard and clocks 132.9 kph, it's on a length around off and Shaw drops it with gentle hands towards mid-wicket. They pinch a quick single.

Josh Hazlewood to Prithvi Shaw, ! Off the top edge! A 141 kph short delivery outside off, Prithvi Shaw again tries to pull from the back foot but this time it grabs the top edge and flies behind the keeper for a boundary.

Josh Hazlewood to Prithvi Shaw, Big shot attempted but it's not in the gap. Back of a length and outside off, at 144 kph, Prithvi Shaw tries to pull but it takes the inner half and rolls to mid-wicket.

Josh Hazlewood to steam in from the other end.

Josh Hazlewood to Prithvi Shaw, Josh Hazlewood is quite straight with his line first up, on a length, Prithvi Shaw flicks it on the leg side but finds the fielder inside the ring at mid-wicket.

Deepak Chahar to Prithvi Shaw, 3 runs from the opening over! Around off on a length, Shaw turns inside the crease and works it to deep mid-wicket. There is a fielder manning that region and hence only a run.

Deepak Chahar to Shikhar Dhawan, Dhawan is off the mark now! Chahar delivers it on a length around middle, Dhawan eases it towards square leg and scampers across to the other end.

Deepak Chahar to Shikhar Dhawan, Chahar goes very full and wide outside off and gets away with a bad ball. Dhawan drives square of the wicket but finds the point fielder.

Deepak Chahar to Shikhar Dhawan, On a good length, around middle and off, Dhawan sticks back inside the crease and plays it down towards backward point.

We are ready for play. The umpires stride out to the middle followed by the players of Chennai. Out come the openers for Delhi, Shikhar Dhawan and Prithvi Shaw. Deepak Chahar has the new ball in hand. Here we go... Hang on, Deepak probably loses his run-up and pulls out. Take 2!

Deepak Chahar to Prithvi Shaw, Back of a length, on middle, Shaw stays back and wrists it in front of square leg for a run. Delhi are underway.

Deepak Chahar to Prithvi Shaw, Starts with a slightly short delivery, around off and moving away, Shaw punches from the back foot but finds the fielder at cover-point.

Rishabh Pant, the skipper of Delhi, says that they have batted first enough to be able to go out and set a target but if given the choice, he would have bowled first as well. Admits that he is a bit nervous. He mentions that there is one change in the XI with Tom Curran coming in for Ripal Patel. Adds that when you play one team again and again and get a few wins on the trot, it helps your confidence but they cannot take this match lightly.

MS Dhoni, the captain of Chennai, says that in whatever games they have played so far at this venue, they feel it helps the bowlers as it stops a bit initially but adds that it no way eases out a lot and it is still a tough wicket with no exact pattern. About the mentality to play the playoffs, MS Dhoni replies that they try to keep things simple irrespective of whether it is a playoff match or any other one and adds that they just try to analyze where they can improve. Informs that Chennai are

Delhi (Playing XI) - Shikhar Dhawan, Prithvi Shaw, Shreyas Iyer, Rishabh Pant (C/WK), Shimron Hetmyer, Axar Patel, Tom Curran (In for Ripal Patel), Ravichandran Ashwin, Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje, Avesh Khan.

Chennai (Playing XI) - Ruturaj Gaikwad, Faf du Plessis, Moeen Ali, Ambati Rayudu, Robin Uthappa, MS Dhoni (C/WK), Ravindra Jadeja, Dwayne Bravo, Shardul Thakur, Deepak Chahar, Josh Hazlewood.

TOSS - Both the captains are out in the middle. Pant flips the coin and Dhoni calls correctly. Chennai have elected to BOWL first. 

Pitch report - Pommie Mbangwa and Matthew Hayden are the pitch inspectors for the evening. The former starts by informing that the square boundaries are shorter on one side and longer on the other. Hayden reckons that this surface is looking better than the one where Delhi faced Bangalore in the last league match. Mentions that there is less grass and it is dry. Reckons that the cracks haven't come into play because this is only the third time that this pitch is being used. Adds that 160 is th

... MATCH DAY ...

Hello and a warm welcome to everyone for the coverage of Qualifier 1 between Delhi and Chennai in Dubai. It's been a blockbuster season so far, full of fun and drama, and we're expecting the climax to be equally exciting. Eight teams have been trimmed down to four and the top two are going to lock horns this evening. There's nothing much to differentiate between the two teams and let's hope for a close contest. So, pick your favourite and enjoy the ride. 

Chennai are following an unwanted 3-match losing streak and that's the most common point mentioned in the build-up to this game. That's true but one can't really judge Chennai's form based on the last few games. They're the 3-time champions and the point worth remembering is that Chennai unlock their beast mode in the playoffs. Hence it's needless to read too much into their last three defeats. As Dhoni had said, they need to fine-tune a few areas before the playoffs and expect them to do that i

Over the years, Delhi were criticized for being inconsistent and often were the punching bags for other teams. Things though have changed drastically in the last few editions. They finished third in 2019, second in 2020 and are the table-toppers in the ongoing season. The graph of Delhi has steadily gone up and their aim this time would be to go the distance and taste glory. Against Chennai, they're on a roll, winning the last four matches, and it's no mean feat to achieve. Another stat though s

7/10 - Dubai has been a venue for the chasers in this edition. Seven teams have won batting second in the last ten night games and dew often plays a factor. Toss is going to be crucial!