Twitter Reactions: Chennai Super Kings dismantle hapless Delhi Capitals to storm into playoffs

Chennai Super Kings dispatched a struggling Delhi Capitals disdainfully to secure their spot in the top two of the IPL 2023 points table, qualifying for the playoffs in the process. The win was set up by Ruturaj Gaikwad and Devon Conway's blistering partnership, followed by a clinical display by the CSK bowlers.

Delhi Capitals' innings got off to the worst start possible after Prithvi Shaw departed cheaply in just the second over of the chase. The pressure mounted on the home side after Deepak Chahar dismissed Phil Salt and Rilee Rossouw on consecutive deliveries in the penultimate over of the powerplay.

It was a mountain to climb for the home side after a horrendous powerplay and they never threatened to get anywhere close to the target either. Delhi's veteran Aussie skipper David Warner played a lone hand without much support from the other end, entertaining the home crowd with some lovely shots and his amusing antics. 

The southpaw missed out on a century after he fell to Matheesha Pathirana in the penultimate over of the match after scoring 86 runs off 58 deliveries.

CSK finish on a high after Gaikwad and Conway's mammoth stand

Chasing a top-two spot, Chennai Super Kings decided to bat first after iconic skipper MS Dhoni won the toss. The visitors made a swift start to their innings in the powerplay as the star opening duo of Ruturaj Gaikwad and Devon Conway took full advantage of some lacklustre bowling.

CSK's star opening duo showed no mercy against the Delhi bowlers, with Gaikwad being the aggressor in a mammoth 141-run opening stand. While Gaikwad fell after a breezy innings of 79 runs, the Kiwi opener kept piling on the pressure from the other end. He received valiant support in the form of Shivam Dube, who continued his six-hitting spree in the tournament with an explosive innings.

Conway missed out on a deserved century in the quest for quick runs for the visitors in the death overs, departing after he smashed 87 runs in just 52 deliveries. Star Indian all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja thwarted any thoughts of a late comeback for the hosts, smoking 20 runs off just seven balls to take the Yellow Army to a mammoth total of 223 runs.