Delhi Capitals scored 221/8 in 20 overs, where as Rajasthan Royals scored 201/8 in 20 overs.
So, finally Delhi Capitals beat Rajasthan Royals by 20 runs.
Delhi Capitals emerged victorious in yet another high-scoring contest at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, where both teams surpassed the 200-run mark.
With this win, Delhi ascended to 12 points, firmly staying in contention for a playoffs berth.
Despite a spirited innings from Sanju Samson during the chase, Delhi managed to seal the nerve-wracking encounter.
What tilted the scales?
Rajasthan Royals’ run-rate in the death overs faltered significantly compared to Delhi Capitals’, owing to precise bowling.
However, Rajasthan found themselves questioning a pivotal decision that could have altered the outcome of the game.
When Sanju Samson was on 86, he was deemed caught at the boundary with Shai Hope appearing to over balance.
Although the third umpire, Michael Gough, swiftly ruled in favor of the fielder, certain replay angles suggested a need for further scrutiny.
This left Samson dissatisfied as he returned to discuss the decision with the on-field umpires before reluctantly departing.
Following Samson’s dismissal, Pant strategically introduced Kuldeep Yadav for the 18th over.
Kuldeep promptly dismissed Donovan Ferreira and R. Ashwin in that over, finishing with figures of 2/25 and effectively sealing the victory for Delhi Capitals.
Delhi Capitals:
Fraser-McGurk unleashes fury
In the Powerplay (1 to 6) – 78/2 (11x4s, 4x6s)
Jake Fraser-McGurk shattered an all-time IPL record, notching the most fifties within 20 balls, a feat achieved in his debut season, showcasing remarkable prowess.
McGurk encountered early challenges as Trent Boult altered his angle, denying him swinging room and even striking him on the body.
However, Fraser-McGurk responded boldly, creating space and dispatching Boult for boundaries, initiating his onslaught.
Avesh Khan bore the brunt, conceding 28 runs as McGurk reached his fifty in just 19 balls.
Despite Rajasthan Royals’ attempts to stem the flow, including a fortuitous catch off McGurk by R Ashwin, the damage was done in the power play courtesy of Fraser-McGurk’s aggression.
Ashwin curtails the onslaught
In the Middle overs (7 to 15) – 83/2 (4x4s, 3x6s)
Delhi Capitals introduced Axar Patel as a floating batsman at No. 4, a move that failed to yield dividends.
In response to two left-handers at the crease, Samson turned to off spin with Riyan Parag, leaking 17 runs in two overs.
Patel’s struggle to accelerate the scoring rate added pressure.
However, Abishek Porel assumed responsibility, keeping the run-rate ticking with boundaries against Yuzvendra Chahal and Avesh Khan, eventually reaching a brisk fifty.
Amidst Rajasthan’s struggle to contain boundaries, Ashwin stepped up, claiming the crucial wickets of Patel and Porel, restricting them to just one six in his spell.
His three overs during the middle overs yielded no boundaries, complemented by a similar boundary-less over from Chahal, who dismissed Rishabh Pant, marking RR’s most economical bowling phase.
Stubbs ignites DC’s surge again
In the Death overs (16-20) – 65/3 (7x4s, 4x6s)
Sandeep Sharma managed a solitary boundary-less over in the final phase, but other overs compensated for the dry spell.
Led by the audacious Stubbs, who plundered 16 runs off Chahal’s 21-run over, and then dispatched Sandeep for consecutive sixes.
In between, Rasikh Dar, replacing Porel, cleverly scooped Boult for boundaries, sustaining DC’s late surge, culminating in a total of 221 – a formidable score on a ground where the average first innings total is 249.
Rajasthan Royals
Samson leads the charge once more
In the Power play – 67/2 (8x4s, 4x6s)
Rajasthan lost their openers within the initial six overs – Yashasvi Jaiswal miscuing against Khaleel Ahmed and Jos Buttler chopping on off Axar Patel.
However, amidst these setbacks, Sanju Samson thrived, capitalizing on shorter lengths to accumulate boundaries, propelling RR forward.
Samson’s onslaught continued, dispatching successive pacers for boundaries and sixes, compensating for a sluggish start.
Despite Buttler’s brief resurgence, he failed to capitalize on his form.
Samson sustains the momentum
In the Middle overs – 92/1 (5x4s, 7x6s)
Kuldeep Yadav and Axar Patel initially contained the run-rate after the power play, but Riyan Parag’s onslaught dismantled their efforts.
However, a well-disguised slower delivery from Rasikh Dar dismissed Parag, while Samson continued undeterred, dispatching another slower ball for six.
Shubham Dubey, previously subdued, unleashed his aggression against Ishant Sharma, sustaining the momentum.
Khaleel Ahmed’s erratic over further bolstered RR’s progress, entering the final five overs with Samson’s fluent innings leading the charge.
Rajasthan’s collapse in the death overs
In the Death overs – 42/5 (4x4s, 2x6s)
Samson’s dismissal triggered Rajasthan’s downfall, despite Rovman Powell’s initial boundary.
Shubham Dubey, also set, fell victim to Khaleel Ahmed after scoring consecutive boundaries.
Kuldeep Yadav, who conceded only 21 runs in his first three overs, returned to tighten the screws, dismissing Donovan Ferreira and R Ashwin, constraining RR to a daunting chase.
Although Powell managed a six in the penultimate over, the required run-rate surged beyond reach, resulting in Rajasthan’s defeat.
Leave a Reply