In the sixth game of IPL 2018, Rajasthan Royals (RR) beat Delhi Daredevils (DD) in the rain-marred encounter at Sawai Mansingh Stadium (Jaipur) on Wednesday night.
Delhi Daredevils’ captain Gautam Gambhir won the toss and decided to bowl first. The hosts Rajasthan managed to score 153/5 in 17.5 overs before the rain interrupted the game.
The game began after a long interval as Delhi needed to chase down 71-run in 6 overs under D/L method. Delhi failed to get that as they scored 60/4 at the end of 6 overs. Rajasthan won their first game of this season by 10 runs under D/L method.
Now, we will briefly talk about some important reasons for Delhi Daredevils’ defeat.
Rain
Rain played a big role in this game. When the hosts were on 153/5 in 17.5 overs, the rain spoiled the game. Rain stopped the game for around two & a half hours and after that DD got a target of 71-runs in 6 overs under D/L method.
It was the huge target at any angle. Delhi batsmen had to bat extraordinarily to win the game. The hosts’ bowlers were successful to restrict the visitors below the target.
Colin Munro’s run-out dismissal in the very first delivery
When a team needs to chase a 71-run target in 6 overs, they obviously need a good start to remain in the game. Instead of that Delhi opener Colin Munro was dismissed in the first ball of that innings. As a non-striker end batsman, Munro unnecessarily searched for a single but that paid a crucial opening wicket.
That dismissal gave a big blow to the visitors from where they failed to return strongly.
Failed to utilize two-over short powerplay
While Delhi had the required run-rate around 12 before beginning their innings, their two-over powerplay score was just 15/1. That set the match for the hosts as DD failed to make a comeback in this game despite some last big hits.
Ben Laughlin superb bowling in the final moment
Ben Laughlin was one of the two Rajasthan bowlers who could bowl the maximum spell of two overs (another one was Jaydev Unadkat). Apart from his last two deliveries, Laughlin bowled in brilliant lines as Delhi batsmen failed to hit him. Though the right-arm fast bowler conceded 20 runs in 2 overs (2-0-20-0), he conceded 10 runs in the last two balls.
