In a high-scoring encounter at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi Capitals emerged victorious over Rajasthan Royals by 20 runs in their TATA Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 clash. This win propels Delhi Capitals to 12 points on the IPL Points Table, putting them in tight contention with three other teams, heightening the excitement for the remainder of the season.
On a pitch that has consistently facilitated big scores throughout the season, Rajasthan Royals won the toss and opted to bowl, relying on their strong batting line-up to chase any target. The decision seemed justified initially as the conditions promised a run-fest. Delhi Capitals’ openers confirmed these expectations with an explosive start, setting the stage for a compelling match.
Jake Fraser-McGurk was in spectacular form, delivering a breathtaking 19-ball half-century. Despite this being his slowest fifty of the season, it underscored his impactful presence in the tournament. His blistering innings highlighted the fourth over, bowled by Avesh Khan, which he dispatched for 28 runs, featuring four boundaries and two sixes. Fraser-McGurk’s quick-fire innings, however, was curtailed by R Ashwin, who had him caught at cover by Donovan Ferreira.
Meanwhile, Abishek Porel steadied the innings with some early boundaries. Post Fraser-McGurk’s dismissal, Porel took charge, maintaining the attack despite Shai Hope’s early run-out. Axar Patel provided solid support until he was caught at long-on off Ashwin’s delivery in the 10th over. By the halfway mark, Delhi Capitals were well poised at 115 for three and eyeing a formidable total.
Porel reached his maiden TATA IPL 2024 fifty in the 11th over, taking only 28 balls and adding vital runs. However, DC’s momentum momentarily dipped as they lost quick wickets. Porel fell for 65, caught off Sandeep Sharma, and Chahal dismissed Rishabh Pant, marking his 350th T20 wicket. The innings required rebuilding, which was undertaken by Gulbadin Naib and Tristan Stubbs, especially during the crucial slog overs.
Stubbs, renowned for his aggressive batting, spearheaded the final surge, amassing 41 runs off 20 balls. His innings featured three boundaries and an equal number of sixes, including two in the last over bowled by Sandeep Sharma. This late blitzkrieg was set up by a costly 18th over from Chahal, where he conceded 21 runs. Rasikh Salam, introduced as an Impact Player, contributed with two delicately placed fours, enabling DC to post a formidable total of 221 for eight.
Setting out to chase this daunting target, Rajasthan Royals needed a stellar performance from their top-order batsmen.
. Captain Sanju Samson stepped up, playing a captain’s innings after Yashaswi Jaiswal was dismissed early by Khaleel Ahmed, caught out on the second delivery. Jos Buttler, coming in as an Impact Player, took time to settle, allowing Samson to dictate the tempo.
Samson exhibited his class by hitting Khaleel for a mammoth six in the third over, marking his 200th six in TATA IPL history. The following over saw him continuing his assault on Ishant Sharma with two boundaries and a six. Mukesh Kumar, brought in the fifth over, almost created a breakthrough when Buttler’s mistimed shot was dropped by Stubbs. Samson maintained the momentum, guiding RR past fifty.
In the sixth over, Buttler hit two fours but then fell to Axar, visibly lifting DC’s spirits. The Royals’ innings slowed down in the subsequent overs as Riyan Parag took his time to settle. By the halfway stage, RR were at 93 for two, falling behind the required run rate. Rasikh Salam’s intervention in the 11th over sent Parag back for 27, placing more pressure on Samson.
Samson, at 49 off 25 balls, upped the ante, well-supported by Shubham Dube (25 off 12 balls). Within 11 overs, RR reached 103 for three, and the pair injected life into the chase by adding 59 runs in the next 29 balls. Samson crossed his fifty, displaying exceptional attacking prowess. However, Mukesh’s brilliant bowling ended his innings at 86 off 46 balls, thanks to a well-timed catch by Hope at long-on.
As the match progressed to the final overs, it turned into a see-saw battle. While RR managed to find boundaries, they also lost wickets rapidly. Dube’s attempted boundary shot found a fielder, sending him back for 25. Debutant Donovan Ferreira was trapped leg-before by Kuldeep Yadav in the 18th over, a key moment that restricted RR to only four runs in that over. Kuldeep also claimed Ashwin’s wicket, leaving RR with a steep 37 runs needed off the last two overs.
Rovman Powell was the remaining hope for RR. Yet, Rasikh bowled a superb penultimate over, yielding only eight runs and denying Powell the space to execute big shots. Facing an almost impossible 29 runs needed from the final over, RR’s chances dimmed further when Mukesh bowled Powell on the second ball, sealing a memorable victory for Delhi Capitals.