In a spectacular display of batting prowess, the Delhi Capitals (DC) secured a crucial 20-run victory over the Rajasthan Royals (RR) at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, significantly shaking up the TATA Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 Points Table. This triumph propels DC to 12 points, putting them in a competitive tie with three other teams, and making the race to the playoffs even more intriguing.
Electing to bowl first on a pitch known for producing high scores, RR were hoping to chase down any total set by the opposition. However, DC openers had other plans, launching a formidable assault from the get-go. Jake Fraser-McGurk was particularly devastating, racing to a 19-ball half-century and continuing his blistering form this season. Remarkably, this was his slowest fifty of the season, highlighting his extraordinary impact in the tournament. The pivotal fourth over, bowled by Avesh Khan, saw Fraser-McGurk smash four boundaries and two sixes, helping him reach his half-century.
Fraser-McGurk’s fiery innings was cut short when he lofted a delivery from R Ashwin to cover where Donovan Ferreira made no mistake with the catch. Meanwhile, at the other end, Abishek Porel had settled in and began to take control after Fraser-McGurk’s dismissal, maintaining the tempo even as Shai Hope was run out early. Porel’s composed yet aggressive play ensured that the run rate didn’t dip. In the company of Axar Patel, he took DC to 115 for three at the halfway mark.
Porel continued his fine form, hitting a six off Avesh Khan in the 11th over to notch up his first fifty of the TATA IPL 2024, achieved in just 28 balls. Despite a brief slowdown in the middle overs, where DC lost a few quick wickets – including Porel caught off Sandeep Sharma for a well-made 65 and Pant dismissed by Chahal, who celebrated his 350th wicket in T20 cricket – the Capitals managed to find their footing again.
It was down to the duo of Gulbadin Naib and Tristan Stubbs to steady the ship and prepare for a final onslaught. Stubbs took on the role of aggressor, hitting an impressive 41 off just 20 balls, embellished with three fours and three sixes – two of which came in the crucial last over from Sandeep. This late surge, coupled with an expensive 18th over bowled by Chahal that cost 21 runs, allowed DC to post a formidable total of 221 for eight. Rasikh Salam, brought in as an Impact Player, made an immediate contribution with two more boundaries to end the innings on a high.
Facing a daunting chase, RR needed someone to step up, and captain Sanju Samson answered the call with a stellar innings.
. Although Yashaswi Jaiswal started with a boundary, he was quickly dismissed by Khaleel Ahmed. Jos Buttler, introduced as an Impact Player, took his time to settle in, during which Samson began to accelerate the innings. A significant moment came in the third over, when Samson dispatched Khaleel for a monstrous six, marking his 200th six in the TATA IPL. He continued this aggressive streak, dismantling Ishant Sharma in the next over.
Despite Buttler’s cautious approach, his eventual dismissal by Axar Patel put more pressure on Samson. As boundaries became harder to come by, Riyan Parag struggled to find his rhythm, and at the halfway stage, RR were lagging at 93 for two. Rasikh soon accounted for Parag’s wicket, managing to dismiss him for 27 runs.
Samson, undeterred, continued his magnificent innings and found an able partner in Shubham Dube, who chipped in with a quick-fire 25 off 12 balls. Together, they reignited the chase, adding 59 runs in just 29 balls. However, Mukesh Kumar delivered a crucial blow by dismissing Samson for 86, courtesy of an outstanding catch by Hope at long-on.
The final overs saw a tense back-and-forth battle. RR managed to find boundaries but also kept losing wickets at crucial junctures. Kuldeep Yadav bowled a defining 18th over, conceding just four runs and picking up the wickets of Ferreira and Ashwin, leaving RR with 37 runs to get from the final two overs.
With eyes on Rovman Powell, Rasikh bowled an exceptional penultimate over, allowing only eight runs and ensuring Powell could not free his arms. Ultimately, the task proved too steep for RR. Needing 29 runs off the last over, Mukesh bowled Powell and sealed the victory for DC.
This win not only enhances DC’s standing in the competition but also adds another thrilling chapter to what has already been a riveting season of the TATA IPL 2024.