Conway displays impressive performance as CSK defeat DC by 91 runs

CSK batsman Devon Conway maintained his fiery streak, blasting his third half-century in a row as Chennai Super Kings recorded an impressive 208-6 against the Delhi Capitals in IPL match on Sunday.

Conway hit 87 points out of 49 balls with seven fours and five sixes, and he also combined 110 for the first wicket with right-hand batter Ruturaj Gaikwad (who scored 41 points out of 33 balls) to build the groundwork for a large total.

“The thought process was just about keeping it simple. It was just about communicating with Ruturaj,” said Conway. “With Hussey, I just talked about what the surface would be like and who the bowlers would target. I’m happy to build that partnership with Rutu, and the way he plays makes my job easier. I have to be true to myself, authentic to myself."

The South African international then scored another 59 runs for the second wicket with Shivam Dube (who scored 32 out of 19 balls) before MS Dhoni scored 21 out of 8 balls to put salt in DC's injury at the end.

"I have got to give credit to MS tonight," added Conway. "In the last game I swept quite a lot, and I, unfortunately, got out playing the sweep. And he said to me, 'I think the guys are going to try to bowl fuller to you tonight. So maybe come out and try to hit them straight.' So he sort of gave me the guidelines to try to execute that. That's what I tried to do."

Conway had only stepped out 31 times in 1049 balls of spin he has faced in T20 cricket before this game. He had a strike rate of 222.58, but he had also been out four times.

DC's struggle

Delhi, who decided to bat second, was reduced to a score of 117 with little than two overs to go as all-rounder Dwayne Bravo got the last two wickets on consecutive deliveries.

CSK's all-rounder Moeen Ali had destroyed DC's middle order by dismissing Mitchell Marsh and Rishabh Pant quickly after the batting power play, before fast bowler Mukesh Chaudhary got two wickets to reduce Delhi to 99-8.

Right-hand batter Shardul Thakur tried to slow down the inevitable by batting 24 before being caught behind Bravo in the 18th over as Delhi was annihilated by Chennai's magnificent bowling.

With three IPL matches remaining, the Capitals are in fifth place with 10 points, while CSK is in eighth place with eight points.

"Any win is great for us. To win against a very good side, the confidence goes up. I think it was a good score." said Moeen.

"At one point, it looked like 210-215, but we knew it is a good score with the spin coming into play. The guys played really well. Sometimes after 10-15 overs you try to get too many and you fall short. The boys played well today. I hurt my ankles and had to change my action. It worked well I guess."