In a thrilling contest that lit up the Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi Capitals (DC) powered to a 20-run victory over Rajasthan Royals (RR) in the 56th match of the TATA Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024. This victory propels DC to 12 points, placing them in joint contention with three other teams on the IPL points table, and adding further intrigue to the playoff race.
The evening began with RR winning the toss and electing to field, a decision influenced by the batting-friendly nature of the Delhi pitch, which has consistently delivered high-scoring encounters this season. The decision soon looked questionable as DC’s openers stormed onto the field with an aggressive mindset.
Jake Fraser-McGurk, the young sensation, was at his destructive best, slamming a 19-ball half-century—a stunning feat, yet remarkably his slowest fifty of the season, underscoring his explosive form. Fraser-McGurk’s onslaught included four boundaries and two sixes in a single over off Avesh Khan, helping him reach his fifty in that very over, which yielded 28 runs.
However, Fraser-McGurk’s stay was cut short by R Ashwin, who induced a mis-hit that landed safely in the hands of Donovan Ferreira at cover. Abishek Porel, who had started steadily with a few boundaries, took the mantle upon Fraser-McGurk’s dismissal. Despite the early run-out of Shai Hope, Porel maintained his aggressive approach, finding an able partner in Axar Patel until Patel’s dismissal by Ashwin in the 10th over left DC at 115 for three.
Porel continued his assault and reached his first IPL fifty off just 28 balls by smashing a six off Avesh in the 11th over. DC’s scoring rate slowed slightly in the middle overs as wickets tumbled; Porel’s well-played innings of 65 was brought to an end by Sandeep Sharma, and soon after, Rishabh Pant fell victim to Yuzvendra Chahal, who celebrated his 350th T20 wicket.
With the team needing to rebuild, Gulbadin Naib and Tristan Stubbs came together, cautiously at first, before initiating the late surge. Stubbs was particularly effective, smashing a quickfire 41 off 20 balls, featuring three boundaries and three sixes—the final over of the innings bowled by Sandeep Sharma going for two crucial maximums.
Stubbs set the stage for a dramatic finish when Chahal, having bowled impressively throughout the season, conceded 21 runs in the 18th over. Rasikh Salam, making an Impact Player appearance, added the final flourish with a couple of scooped boundaries. DC amassed a formidable total of 221 for eight, although given the recent trend of high scores being chased down, RR remained optimistic.
Captain Sanju Samson’s knockout innings was vital for RR if they were to chase the stiff target. The innings started with a boundary off Yashaswi Jaiswal’s bat but he was caught off Khaleel Ahmed’s bowling almost immediately. Jos Buttler, entering as an Impact Player, took his time to settle as Samson began dictating terms.
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Samson switched gears in the third over, launching Khaleel for a mammoth six—marking his 200th six in IPL history. He then targeted Ishant Sharma, accumulating two fours and a six off him in the next over. Mukesh Kumar’s introduction in the fifth over nearly resulted in a wicket as Buttler’s lofty shot was dropped by Stubbs. Samson’s assertive play pushed RR past the fifty-run mark.
Buttler was eventually dismissed for a modest score by Axar Patel, instigating wild celebrations among the DC camp. Samson, meanwhile, continued his relentless attack. Although Riyan Parag initially struggled to find his rhythm, he contributed to the scoreboard modestly. At the halfway mark, RR were 93 for two, lagging behind the required run rate. Parag’s stint ended at 27 when Rasikh Salam got him out in the 11th over.
Samson, on 49 at that point, soon brought up his half-century and began accelerating the run rate with Shubham Dube’s support. Their partnership added 59 runs in under five overs, reigniting RR’s hopes. Mukesh Kumar broke this stand, dismissing Samson for 86 off 46 balls, a pivotal wicket caught by Hope near the boundary ropes.
The game hung in the balance during the death overs. RR managed boundaries but kept losing crucial wickets. Shubham Dube fell for 25 while attempting another big hit, and Ferreira was trapped leg-before by Kuldeep Yadav in the 18th over, a critical moment as Kuldeep also had Ashwin caught at long-on, conceding just four runs in the over.
This left RR needing 37 off the final two overs with all eyes on Rovman Powell. Rasikh bowled a tight penultimate over, giving away just eight runs and containing Powell’s aggressive instincts. With 29 required from the last over, Mukesh Kumar’s composed execution saw Powell bowled off the second delivery, sealing the win for DC.
In a game full of excitement and stellar performances, DC eventually triumphed, making the IPL points table an even more competitive arena.