In a thrilling encounter that kept fans on the edge of their seats, the Delhi Capitals (DC) secured a vital 20-run victory against the Rajasthan Royals (RR) at the Arun Jaitley Stadium. The win propelled DC to 12 points on the TATA Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 Points Table, adding more excitement and complexity to the playoff race, as they now share the same points with three other teams.
Given the high-scoring nature of the Arun Jaitley Stadium this season, RR captain Sanju Samson won the toss and opted to bowl, confident in his team’s ability to chase down any target. From the onset, it was evident that batting on this pitch would yield plenty of runs, as DC’s openers set a brisk pace.
Jake Fraser-McGurk, in explosive form, reached a sublime 19-ball half-century, remarkably his slowest fifty of the season considering his spectacular performances thus far. His aggressive batting saw him hit four boundaries and two sixes in a single over bowled by Avesh Khan, contributing to an impressive haul of 28 runs from that over.
However, R Ashwin cut short Fraser-McGurk’s innings when he was caught at cover by Donovan Ferreira. Abishek Porel, on the other end, had started steadily but took charge following Fraser-McGurk’s departure. Porel continued to attack with confidence, unfazed by the early run-out of Shai Hope. Axar Patel provided a steadying partnership with Porel until he was caught at long-on off Ashwin’s bowling in the 10th over, leaving DC at 115 for three at the halfway mark.
Porel’s impressive debut season saw him notch his first fifty in the IPL with a six off Avesh Khan in the 11th over, reaching the milestone in just 28 balls. However, DC’s momentum slowed as they lost quick wickets in the middle overs. Porel was caught for 65 off Sandeep Sharma, and Ravichandran Ashwin claimed Rishabh Pant’s wicket, marking his 350th T20 wicket.
DC then relied on Gulbadin Naib and Tristan Stubbs to stabilize the innings and set the stage for a late surge. Stubbs, known for his striking ability, delivered as expected with an electrifying 20-ball 41, which included three boundaries and three sixes. His late charge was critical as Chahal, who had a solid season, was hit for 21 runs in one over, helping DC finish at a competitive 221 for eight.
With a challenging target set, RR needed a strong performance from their top order. Sanju Samson stepped up and led from the front.
. Despite losing Yashasvi Jaiswal on the second ball of the innings and a sluggish start from Impact Player Jos Buttler, Samson remained unfazed and set the tone for the chase with monumental sixes and boundary-laden innings. His assault saw him reach his 200th IPL six, a significant milestone.
The fifth over could have shifted the game’s balance when Buttler skied one only for it to be dropped by Stubbs. Samson kept the scoreboard ticking, and even though Buttler hit a couple of boundaries, he soon fell to Axar Patel. At the midway stage, RR were 93 for two, struggling to keep pace with the required run rate. Riyan Parag’s dismissal in the 11th over added more pressure.
Despite the mounting pressure, Samson took it upon himself to steer the chase. With support from Shubham Dube, who scored an aggressive 25 off 12 balls, RR added 59 runs in 29 balls to ignite hope. Samson surpassed his fifty and continued to attack, but Mukesh Kumar eventually dismissed him for a valiant 86 off 46 balls with a remarkable catch by Hope at long-on.
As the chase progressed into the final overs, it became a see-saw battle. Wickets tumbled, but boundaries kept coming. Shubham Dube and debutant Ferreira tried to push the innings forward, but disciplined bowling from Kuldeep Yadav in the 18th over, where he conceded just four runs and claimed two wickets, proved critical.
With 37 runs required from the last two overs, all eyes were on Rovman Powell. However, Rasikh Salam bowled an exceptional penultimate over, restricting Powell’s scoring opportunities. Needing 29 from the final six balls, DC sealed the victory when Mukesh Kumar bowled Powell off the second ball, closing the match.
This win not only boosted DC’s playoff ambitions but also highlighted the competitive spirit and high stakes of the TATA IPL 2024. The intense competition continues as teams jostle for a place in the playoffs, promising more exciting cricket ahead.