CSK bowler Jamie Overton delivered a four-wicket haul while conceding just 18 runs, dismantling the DC batting line-up. Speaking after the match, CSK bowling coach Eric Simons said Overton succeeded by focusing on his strengths following an ineffective outing against Royal Challengers Bengaluru the previous week.

“I think the important thing is that each person finds their way of doing the job in the area of the game. So he (Jamie Overton) tried something last week which didn’t work, but he really went with his strengths tonight, went with the hard lengths, he’s always had a good yorker. He’s worked on an off pace delivery, which, when you’re bowling 150 kilometres an hour, and you’ve got an off pace delivery that’s under 120, then it’s really effective, so he’s done some work on that as well,” Simons told reporters.

The mix of hard lengths, accurate yorkers and a well-developed slower ball, combined with significant speed variation, helped Overton become far more effective. Simons emphasised the importance of players finding and trusting their own methods to perform well.

Chennai’s innings was bolstered by a masterclass from centurion Sanju Samson, who scored 115 not out off 56 balls, including 15 fours and four sixes. Alongside Samson, Ayush Mhatre contributed 59 runs from 36 balls, with three fours and four sixes, helping CSK reach 212 for 2 in their 20 overs.

During DC’s chase, Pathum Nissanka scored 41 runs off 24 balls and shared a 62-run partnership with KL Rahul. Tristan Stubbs played a valiant innings, scoring 60 from 30 balls, but the team’s progress was hindered by regular wickets taken by CSK bowlers Overton and Ravisrinivasan Kamboj, who claimed three wickets for 35 runs.

Simons attributed CSK’s win to momentum, thorough preparation, and a determined mindset rather than any sudden change in belief. He highlighted the positive atmosphere in the camp and excellent fielding displays, such as Sarfaraz Khan’s catch to dismiss DC captain Axar Patel.

“I mean, it’s always been about this tournament, you need to get on a roll, and you need to get the positivity going, but there’s a lot of positivity around the camp, obviously, after a win like this, but even leading into it, the practices have been good, the attitudes have been good. Today, the self-belief was very good; was it lagging behind the previous games? No, I don’t think so, I mean, I think it was a lack of self-belief, I think, you know, it’s funny, often fielding is the mood of a team, and Sarfaraz takes the catch like this, it just lifts everybody, so that happens. I’d say the boys really were desperate to win this one today. I think we were tired of losing after losing 2-3 in a row, so there was a certain attitude about the guys rather than anything else, but the self-belief has always been there,” Simons added.

Following the match, CSK stands ninth in the league with one win and three losses, while DC sits fourth with two wins and two losses.