IPL 2019 | We have a great middle and lower batting order, claims Faf du Plessis

IPL 2019 | We have a great middle and lower batting order, claims Faf du Plessis

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Faf du Plessis is confident that Chennai Super Kings can win another IPL trophy this season as he has great faith in the team’s middle and lower batting line-up. The South African batsman was adjudged as man of the match for his 39-ball fifty helped CSK beat Delhi Capitals by six wickets.

Faf du Plessis and Shane Watson starred with the bat as Chennai Super Kings condemned Delhi Capitals to a six-wicket loss in the second eliminator at Visakhapatnam on Friday night. Both openers managed to score a half-century as they led from the front but the South African skipper was adjudged as man of the match for his 39-ball half century that was enough to seal the win for the defending champions.

The Proteas batsman is confident that CSK can repeat last year’s heroics in the IPL as they go up against long-time rivals Mumbai Indians in the final of the 2019 edition of the tournament.

"We spoke about it before the game - didn't have the best run in the last 5-6 games. We have a lot of confidence as a team to win a lot of big games - so we draw confidence from that. From the previous games, the guys were playing some great shots up front. But it wasn't the same kind of wicket. We also know the strength of ours is getting those partnerships - even if we go 3-4 overs without runs, we have a great lower and middle order to bring us back. 

"Watto thanked me already (laughs) for scoring quickly at the beginning before he got set. Hopefully we can both get them off the meat in the final right from the word go. I reckon we almost ran three there - it was terrible running, and that's not the kind of start you want in a run-chase of a knockout. Thankfully we recovered from that and did pretty well," du Plessis said at the post-match interview.

Meanwhile, Shane Watson who scored a quick-fire 32-ball fifty, thanked MS Dhoni and Stephen Fleming for the faith they have shown in him throughout the season. The former Australia all-rounder revealed that he has learnt a lot from Dhoni and it is an honour to play with the World Cup winner.

"I was nervous at the start. The faith CSK continue to show in me...Yes, it's been a challenging time for me this IPL. It's nice it worked out for us tonight, the mix up went our way. Very grateful for the faith CSK have shown in not just me, but all the players are grateful. Faf batted beautifully. Thanks to Faf for helping me through that stage. There are huge positives about age and experience. We have played well from the top with MS (Dhoni) and Fleming. 

"When you have experienced players, you have an understanding of what to do. We are making the most of the experience we have had and we are going to make the most out of it on Sunday. Mumbai are a great team. There are not too many holes in their team. It's going to be a great challenge for us. He's an amazing person. He always has the faith in the people all the way through. It's an honour to be playing with MS and I have learnt a lot from him,"  Watson added.

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