The Delhi Daredevils have had an up and down season, this IPL. Having won just 2 matches from the last 8, they really needed another win to get back on track. The match against the Rajasthan Royals was just the ticket. To make matters even sweeter, it was a thrilling 4-run win (DLS method).
Rajasthan were chasing 151 runs in 12 overs after rain played spoilsport. They got off to a flying start with Jos Buttler punishing the Delhi bowlers. Buttler’s 67 run cameo off 26 balls included 7 sixes and 4 boundaries. D’Arcy Short’s 44 also gave the visitors a glimmer of hope. But the Delhi bowlers recovered from the early onslaught to launch a counterattack. Leading the way was Trent Boult with a figure of 2/26.
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Shreyas Iyer and Gautam Gambhir
But we’ve gone too far ahead, during the first innings, Delhi batted first. Skipper Shreyas Iyer and wicket-keeper Rishabh Pant smashed half-centuries to register a fighting total of 196 in 17.1 overs. They could have gone even higher, but just then, the heavens opened at the Ferozshah Kotla. Pant scored 69 off 29 balls with seven 4s and five 6s. Iyer’s 50 run knock consisted of three 4s and three 6s from 35 balls.
Delhi banked on a blistering start by India U-19 captain and teen sensation Prithvi Shaw. He played a well-struck 47 off 25 balls, including four 4s and four 6s. Delhi were dealt a blow when opener, Colin Munro went down early, but they overcame it.
Heavy rain delayed the start of play by one and a half hours, resulting in the match being reduced to 18 overs a side. When the Delhi Daedevils were brought in to bat, pacer Dhawal Kulkarni gave the visitors a perfect start. Munro was caught behind on a duck while Shaw soldiered on. Rajasthan soon regretter the decision to field after the 18-year-old Prithvi linked with skipper Iyer to smoke 73 runs for the second wicket.
