In an electrifying showdown at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi Capitals (DC) secured an impressive 20-run victory over Rajasthan Royals (RR) in Match 56 of the TATA Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024. This win catapults DC to 12 points, positioning them alongside three other teams on the league table, thus intensifying the competition for playoff spots.
The contest began with RR winning the toss and opting to bowl, a decision grounded in their confidence to chase down any target on the scorched turf of the Arun Jaitley Stadium. Historically a ground that rewards batsmen with high scores, the stage was set for an avalanche of runs. True to the script, DC’s openers raced off to a brisk start right from the opening ball.
Jake Fraser-McGurk emerged as the star attraction, tearing apart the RR bowling attack with a blistering display of power-hitting. Racing to his half-century in just 19 balls, Fraser-McGurk’s innings was characterized by an onslaught in the fourth over, during which Avesh Khan was dispatched for 28 runs, including four boundaries and two towering sixes. Although his 19-ball fifty was remarkably his slowest of the season, it speaks volumes about the devastating form he has maintained throughout the tournament. However, his rampage was curtailed by R Ashwin, who had Fraser-McGurk caught at cover by Donovan Ferreira.
On the opposite end, Abishek Porel began steadily but soon shouldered the responsibility of maintaining the momentum post Fraser-McGurk’s departure. Despite the setback of Shai Hope’s early run-out, Porel remained undeterred, frequently attacking the bowlers. Axar Patel provided able support until the 10th over, at which point Ashwin struck again, getting Patel caught at long-on. By the halfway stage, DC had amassed a formidable 115 for three, setting the base for a sizeable total.
Porel hit his stride in the 11th over, smashing Avesh Khan for a six to notch up his maiden fifty in the TATA IPL 2024, coming off just 28 deliveries. However, DC encountered a slight slowdown in the middle overs as quick wickets pegged them back. Porel’s valiant innings ended at 65 when Sandeep Sharma claimed his wicket, and the ever-reliable Yuzvendra Chahal ensnared Rishabh Pant, marking his 350th wicket in T20 cricket, and further denting DC’s charge.
A rebuilding phase was necessary, and Gulbadin Naib, along with Tristan Stubbs, took on the task before the final overs blitz. Stubbs, in typical belligerent style, played an explosive inning, smashing 41 runs off just 20 balls, inclusive of three boundaries and as many sixes, two of which came off the last over bowled by Sandeep Sharma.
. Chahal’s previously economical figures were tarnished when Stubbs took him apart for 21 runs in the 18th over. Rasikh Salam, introduced as an Impact Player, added further fuel to the fire by scoring two quick boundaries, guiding DC to a robust 221 for eight by innings end.
RR, facing a daunting chase, needed a standout performance from one of their heavy-hitters, and it was captain Sanju Samson who rose to the occasion. Despite opener Yashaswi Jaiswal’s early exit, Samson showcased his prowess early, hitting Khaleel Ahmed for a monstrous six, which also marked his 200th six in IPL history. His form continued as he dispatched Ishant Sharma for boundaries in the next over, propelling RR forward.
The introduction of Mukesh Kumar nearly brought Buttler’s downfall, but Tristan Stubbs dropped a high catch, granting a reprieve. During these frantic overs, Samson stayed true to his aggressive approach, pushing RR past the fifty-run mark. Buttler, however, could not capitalize on the lifeline and was dismissed by Axar Patel, nudging the scales slightly in DC’s favor.
RR’s innings slowed as Riyan Parag took time to settle, and by the midpoint, the required run rate had climbed steeply. Rasikh Salam’s timely dismissal of Parag for 27 in the 11th over further anchored DC’s grip on the match. Though Samson tried valiantly, scoring 86 off 46 balls with some late flourish including support from Shubham Dube, RR’s task remained herculean.
The final overs were a fickle affair with boundaries aplenty, but wickets tumbled too. Shubham Dube’s aggressive effort ended swiftly, and debutant Donovan Ferreira was trapped by Kuldeep Yadav, who bowled a definitive 18th over, conceding just four runs and removing Ashwin.
Needing 37 runs in the last two overs, the onus was on Rovman Powell. Rasikh’s excellent penultimate over saw only eight runs conceded, leaving Powell with an almost impossible task. When Mukesh got Powell out bowled on the second ball of the final over, DC’s victory was all but assured. Ultimately, RR fell short by 20 runs, marking a thrilling conclusion to a high-stakes encounter.