In a high-octane match that had fans on the edge of their seats, Delhi Capitals (DC) clinched a nail-biting 20-run victory against Rajasthan Royals (RR) at the Arun Jaitley Stadium. This win, spearheaded by a formidable batting performance, has significantly spiced up the TATA Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 Points Table, placing DC on 12 points, where they are now level with three other teams, thus making the race to the playoffs even more enthralling.
The evening began with RR winning the toss and opting to bowl first, a strategic move on a pitch known for generating hefty scores in this season’s IPL. The decision seemed calculated as RR’s batting line-up had been reliable in chasing down massive totals. However, the DC openers had other plans and set the stage for an explosive start.
Jake Fraser-McGurk was in supreme form, immediately taking charge with a scintillating display of aggressive batting. His blitzkrieg of a 19-ball half-century had the crowd roaring with delight. Astonishingly, this was his slowest fifty of the season, underscoring the phenomenal impact he has had throughout the tournament. The fourth over saw Avesh Khan bear the brunt of Fraser-McGurk’s onslaught, who hammered him for 28 runs, replete with four boundaries and two towering sixes, reaching his fifty in that very over.
Despite Fraser-McGurk’s departure after miscuing a shot straight to cover off R Ashwin’s bowling, the momentum did not wane. Abishek Porel, initially striking a couple of early boundaries, took up the mantle post Fraser-McGurk’s dismissal. He played with a measured aggression, undeterred by the early dismissal of Shai Hope who was run-out. Porel, in partnership with Axar Patel, continued to torment the bowlers with calculated risks. Patel’s stay was cut short in the 10th over when Ashwin had him caught at long-on, but by then, DC was well poised at 115 for three at the halfway point.
Porel continued his aggressive approach, reaching his maiden fifty in TATA IPL 2024 with a massive six off Avesh in just 28 deliveries. His knock of 65 was instrumental in setting up a challenging target for the opposition. Despite a few hiccups in the middle overs where DC slowed down and lost quick wickets, the team managed to maintain a good scoring rate. Porel fell to Sandeep Sharma, while Chahal’s scalp of Rishabh Pant marked his 350th wicket in T20 cricket.
In walked Gulbadin Naib and Tristan Stubbs, who steadied the ship before launching an all-out assault in the final overs. Stubbs was particularly ferocious, smashing a brisk 41 off 20 balls, including three fours and as many sixes, two of which came in the last over bowled by Sandeep Sharma.
. The penultimate over by Chahal proved costly for RR as he was taken apart for 21 runs. Rasikh Salam, introduced as an Impact Player, added to the carnage by flicking two boundaries right away, pushing DC’s total to an imposing 221 for eight. Although a daunting target, the nature of the pitch meant RR still believed in their chances.
RR’s chase began with a flicker of excitement as Yashaswi Jaiswal struck the first ball for four but was then dismissed by Khaleel Ahmed. Jos Buttler, coming in as the Impact Player, took some time to get his eye in, allowing Sanju Samson to dominate. Samson’s aggression came to the fore in the third over when he launched Khaleel for a monstrous six, marking his 200th career six in the IPL.
Samson continued to take the attack to the bowlers, offering no respite. He provided stability and momentum, propelling RR past fifty with some audacious strokes. Meanwhile, Buttler’s brief valiant attempt ended when he edged one to the keeper off Axar Patel. The loss of Buttler brought a period of consolidation as Riyan Parag took his time to settle in. By the halfway stage, RR found themselves slightly behind the run rate at 93 for two.
Post the fall of Parag for 27 to Rasikh, all eyes were on Samson, who continued his whirlwind innings. Supported by Shubham Dube’s cameo of 25 off 12 balls, the duo reignited hopes as they added 59 runs in just 29 balls. Samson’s departure, caught brilliantly by Hope off Mukesh Kumar for a magnificent 86 from 46 balls, was a critical moment that swung the tide back in favor of DC.
The final overs were a test of nerves for both teams. While boundaries were coming, wickets kept tumbling, with Shubham and Pereira both dismissed in quick succession. Kuldeep Yadav’s excellent 18th over, conceding just four runs and taking the wicket of Ashwin, proved decisive. With 37 needed from the final two overs, it all came down to Rovman Powell, who, despite his best efforts, couldn’t find the boundary due to tight overs bowled by Rasikh.
Needing an improbable 29 runs from the last over, RR’s hopes faded when Mukesh Kumar bowled Powell off the second delivery, sealing a memorable victory for Delhi Capitals. The result not only bolstered DC’s standing in the points table but also set the stage for an exciting finish to the league phase.