Led by a commanding batting display, Delhi Capitals (DC) clinched a decisive 20-run victory over Rajasthan Royals (RR) at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, a result that injects fresh intrigue into the TATA Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 Points Table. With this win, DC have moved up to 12 points, joining three other teams in a close race for playoff positions.
The match began with Rajasthan Royals opting to bowl first, confident in their batting ability to chase down any target—a plan that seemed apt on a field known for producing high scores this IPL season. DC openers launched their innings aggressively, setting the tone for a high-scoring showdown.
Jake Fraser-McGurk emerged as the star of the initial overs, blazing his way to a 19-ball half-century, which, astonishingly, marks his slowest fifty of the season—a testament to his explosive impact in the tournament. A high-octane fourth over saw Avesh Khan being hammered for 28 runs, with Fraser-McGurk smashing four boundaries and two sixes to complete his milestone.
However, Fraser-McGurk’s thrilling innings came to a halt when he was caught by Donovan Ferreira off a delivery from R Ashwin. From the other end, Abishek Porel, who had begun cautiously with a few early boundaries, took charge post Fraser-McGurk’s dismissal. Despite losing Shai Hope to a run out, Porel continued his aggression, ensuring that the momentum stayed with DC. Axar Patel offered solid support until he too fell to Ashwin, caught at long-on in the 10th over. DC, at the halfway mark, were well-placed at 115 for three, heading toward a formidable total.
Porel notched up his maiden fifty in the TATA IPL 2024, reaching the landmark in just 28 balls, further propelling DC’s total. However, a middle-order wobble saw Porel being caught off Sandeep Sharma for 65, and captain Rishabh Pant falling to Yuzvendra Chahal, who celebrated his 350th T20 wicket. This necessitated a phase of rebuilding, with Gulbadin Naib and Tristan Stubbs taking over the crease.
Stubbs, known for his aggressive batting, ensured DC finished strong. His rapid 41 off 20 balls included three fours and three sixes, two of which came in the final over bowled by Sandeep Sharma. Chahal, despite his earlier success, was taken to task in the 18th over, conceding 21 runs. Rasikh Salam then chipped in with two crucial boundaries, helping DC end with a competitive total of 221 for eight, a target that even at a high-scoring venue, seemed substantial.
Rajasthan Royals, chasing a daunting target, required a special innings from one of their key players.
. Skipper Sanju Samson rose to the occasion, crafting an exceptional innings. Yashaswi Jaiswal, who opened the batting, was dismissed on the second ball by Khaleel Ahmed after striking a boundary on the first, bringing Jos Buttler to the crease as an Impact Player. Samson, noticing the importance of setting the tempo, launched his assault in the third over, hammering Khaleel for a mammoth six, marking his 200th six in the IPL.
Samson’s aggressive intent continued as he targeted Ishant Sharma, striking two fours and a six in a single over. The introduction of Mukesh Kumar in the fifth over almost paid off immediately as Buttler’s mistimed shot was dropped by Tristan Stubbs. Despite this reprieve, Buttler couldn’t capitalize and was soon bowled by Axar Patel.
The Royals found their innings stalling as Riyan Parag took time to settle. By the halfway stage, RR were struggling at 93 for two, lagging behind the required rate. Rasikh Salam dismissed Parag in the 11th over, adding pressure to an already tense chase.
Captain Samson, however, wasn’t backing down. He reached his half-century and, with aid from Shubham Dube, who contributed a quickfire 25 off 12 balls, reignited the chase. Together, they added 59 runs in under five overs, bringing RR back into contention. Unfortunately for RR, Samson, who looked set for a century, was dismissed for an outstanding 86 off 46 balls, courtesy of a brilliant catch by Hope at long-on.
Despite a late flurry of boundaries, RR continued losing wickets at crucial moments. Shubham Dube perished trying to accelerate further, and Donovan Ferreira, debuting for RR, was trapped leg-before by Kuldeep Yadav in the 18th over. Kuldeep’s economical over, which also accounted for Ashwin, was pivotal, leaving RR with 37 runs needed from the final two overs.
Rovman Powell’s entry briefed hope for a miraculous finish, but Rasikh Salam’s excellent penultimate over conceded only eight runs, effectively stifling RR’s chase. With 29 required off the last over, Mukesh Kumar delivered the final blow by bowling Powell early, sealing a notable win for DC.
