Delhi Daredevils produced a disciplined bowling performance on Tuesday night as Zaheer Khan-led bowling unit restricted table toppers Chennai Super Kings to a paltry 119-6 in their Indian Premier League tie on a greenish pitch in Raipur.
Opting to bat first, CSK failed to get off to a promising start as both openers Dwayne Smith and Brendon McCullum struggled to get runs and were eventually dismissed for their respective scores of 18 and 11.
CSK were reeling at 46-3 in the tenth over after Suresh Raina fell prey to a Jayant Yadav's delivery. Although skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni (27) and Faf du Plessis (29) tried to steady the ship by constructing a 37-run stand for the fourth wicket, they failed to anchor their side to post a challenging total.
Zaheer Khan produced a sublime performance as the veteran bowler showcased his mettle by returning figures of 2/9, including a maiden over with the scalps of Dhoni and McCullum.
While Zaheer received significant support from Shabaz Nadeem and Albie Morkel, who removed Smith and Plessis, Gurinder Sandhu claimed the wicket of Dwayne Bravo (8).
Subsequently, Ravindra Jadeja (3 not out) and Pawan Negi (5 not out) failed to provide some meaty blows before their 20-over quota got finished.
