IPL Live Score: Stubbs in focus after DC stumble after early wickets

Moving on - Right then, that is it from this rather one-sided affair, where Chennai Super Kings got the crucial two points while Delhi Capitals left empty-handed. The action now moves to Hyderabad, where two in-form sides coming off losses, Sunrisers Hyderabad and Punjab Kings, face off at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium on 6th May, Wednesday. The game is set to begin at 7.30 pm (2 pm GMT), and as always, you can join us early for all the build-up. Until then, cheers and goodbye!

PLAYER OF THE MATCH - It is Sanju Samson for his unbeaten, match-winning knock of 87 runs off 52 balls. He says that the fans call him Chetta, but he likes Sanju more. Samson says that they always try to find out what works best, and he has improved a bit on his initial movement over the past few years. He adds that he is always calm, and that his game plan was to capitalise in the middle overs, and it worked for them this time. Sanju reckons that he wanted to get to his hundred, but he kept his team first, and the priority was to win the game. Ends by saying he hopes to get another hundred in this tournament again.

The skipper of the Chennai Super Kings - Ruturaj Gaikwad says that even after the second and third games, the talk within the group was always positive. Mentions that they have pretty much covered all bases as a team, highlighting the strength added by Sanju Samson coming in and the middle order they possess. Gaikwad feels that they just needed a couple of wins to build momentum, and once they got those after the third game, the team started to gel together nicely. Ruturaj says Sanju Samson is the backbone of their batting unit. Adds that bowling wins tournaments, highlighting the presence of Akeal, Overton, and Anshul Kamboj. On Kartik Sharma, the CSK captain says the skillset was always there, and he just needed a few opportunities. Feels he didn’t get enough time in earlier games, but now that he has, he has shown he is not just a slogger.

A quick chat - CSK's Kartik Sharma says he really enjoyed the partnership with Sanju Samson. Mentions that the spinners got some help, with the ball stopping and turning a bit. Kartik says that they knew it wasn’t a big total, so they could take their time. Shares that Sanju Samson told him to play his natural game. Says he looked to play his shots whenever the opportunity presented itself, without targeting any particular bowler.

The captain of the Delhi Capitals - Axar Patel says that they thought 155 was a good score considering how the wicket was. He adds that there was something in the wicket, but CSK had a set batter, Sanju Samson, which made things difficult for them. The wicket was difficult to bat on for a new batter. Axar reckons that they finished well with the bat despite losing early wickets, so it's a positive for them. He says that he missed Kuldeep's brilliant bowling, and ends by saying that they will try to win their remaining games and stay in the hunt for the playoffs.

Inconsistent bowling cost DC - Delhi Capitals made a promising start, with Lungi Ngidi striking early and restricting Chennai Super Kings to 44/1 in the Powerplay. However, they failed to build on that momentum and couldn’t chip in with wickets at regular intervals, while Axar was impressive with 1/25, and both Starc and Ngidi kept things tight. Kuldeep Yadav and T Natarajan, however, proved expensive and allowed the pressure to slip, making it even tougher to defend what was already a below-par total.

DC fight back to go past 150 - Earlier in the game, Delhi Capitals were in deep trouble at 69/5 but fought back brilliantly to post a competitive total, with Tristan Stubbs and Impact Sub Sameer Rizvi adding a crucial 65-run stand. Rizvi top-scored with a quick 40 off 24, and a late push from Ashutosh Sharma helped them get past 150. Chennai Super Kings were solid with the ball, especially their spinners, who combined for 3/41 in 7 overs. Overton, Gurjapneet Singh and Mukesh Choudhary chipped in with a wicket each, but their in-form bowler Anshul Kamboj had an off day and was taken to the cleaners.

A match-defining stand seals it for CSK - It was not a daunting target for Chennai Super Kings, but they were dealt an early blow yet again with the loss of their skipper in the Powerplay. Sanju Samson, though, carried on his fine form, blending composure with calculated aggression to hold the innings together. Urvil Patel added a handy cameo, but the defining moment came through the unbeaten 114-run stand between Samson and Kartik Sharma, a partnership that effectively shut the door on Delhi Capitals. Samson capped off a fine effort with a well-crafted half-century and remained unbeaten on 87 off 52. The duo kept things firmly under control, timing their attacks smartly to ensure there were no late hiccups, with Kartik once again finishing things off by hitting the winning runs, just like he did against the Mumbai Indians.

Super Kings march on - Chennai Super Kings have completed the double over Delhi Capitals, with Sanju Samson once again playing a key role in their success, as they extend their already strong head-to-head record to 21-12 against the home side, making it two consecutive wins for CSK as they move into double digits for the season and stay within touching distance of the teams above them. Delhi Capitals slump to their fourth defeat in the last five games, a result that further dents their already fading playoff hopes.

4

Overs17.3

Score159 - 2

T Natarajan to Kartik Sharma, FOUR! Kartik Sharma finishes the game off with authority! A bit short, on off and middle. Sharma stands tall and gets on top of the bounce. He thumps it hard and wide of the mid on fielder to his left for a boundary to seal the win. Kartik points to the dugout and punches the air in delight. Chennai ace a tricky chase in Delhi. CSK win by 8 wickets with 15 balls to spare.

6

Overs17.2

Score155 - 2

T Natarajan to Kartik Sharma, SIX! High and long enough! On the off stump, on a good length. Kartik Sharma stays deep in the crease with an open stance. He goes down the ground, and although this does not come from the middle of the bat, he gets enough bat to clear the long on fielder. The scores are level.

2

Overs16.6

Score149 - 2

Mitchell Starc to Sanju Samson, Just out of reach! Full and at the sticks from around the wicket. With mid off inside the circle, Samson swings through the line of the ball. The bat turns in his hand and he slices it over mid off. Axar Patel turns around and goes after it but the ball drops out of his reach. Axar manages to haul it in, preventing the boundary. Two runs taken.

4

Overs16.2

Score144 - 2

Mitchell Starc to Kartik Sharma, FOUR! Up and over! Starc goes searching for the yorker but misses the mark by a small margin. This is in line with the off stump and Kartik Sharma gets the leverage to get under the ball. He winds up and goes inside out over cover for a boundary.

Strategic Break! Chennai Super Kings are in the driver's seat now, and they can now even think about finishing things quickly to help their NRR. Sanju Samson is batting like a dream, while Kartik Sharma has played the perfect supporting role. Delhi Capitals will need a miracle, and all they can do is delay the inevitable. Here is Mitchell Starc to bowl now.

4

Overs14.5

Score124 - 2

T Natarajan to Sanju Samson, FOUR! Sanju Samson moves to 77 now! Not exactly where Samson intended but he will take it. Full, on middle, Sanju Samson swings hard at it but gets it off the inside half of his bat. The ball goes through square leg and in the gap for a boundary.

1

Overs13.5

Score106 - 2

Lungi Ngidi to Sanju Samson, What an over so far from Lungi Ngidi. A yorker, on leg, Sanju Samson looks to flick it but squeezes out an inside edge to the left of the keeper. They go for a quick single. KL Rahul has a shy at the bowler's end but misses.