The Delhi Capitals (DC) has come out swinging against the Rajasthan Royals (RR) as they won the match by six wickets at the Sawai Mansingh stadium in Jaipur. It was a day for the two players whose ability to score runs in unfavorable circumstances was being seriously questioned. It was Ajinkya Rahane’s sheer class in the first innings, but it was overshadowed by Rishabh Pant and his fierce batting. The Royals opener scored a century but it went in vain in the end with DC chasing down the challenging total.
During the toss, the RR skipper, Steve Smith revealed that they have made no changes to the winning squad. On the other hand, DC had made a change in their squad as Chris Morris came back in place of the young Sandeep Lamichhane.
WATCH – Ajinkya Rahane Played a Scoop Shot To Chris Morris
Samson got out before facing a delivery in the game as Ajinkya Rahane played the complete first over of Ishant Sharma and took a single off the final ball. On the very first ball of the second over, Samson got out owing to a brilliant throw by Kagiso Rabada. After that dismissal, Rahane went bonkers as he smashed the DC bowlers all-over the part. Even he got a lifeline in the 5th over when Ishant dropped a sitter.
Along with Steve Smith, Ajinkya was toying with the bowlers as from the score of 59/1 in the first 7 overs, they took RR to a total of 135/1 at the 13-over mark. Meanwhile, both of them completed their respective half-centuries as well. However, soon after completing his fifty, Smith was dismissed in the 14th over.
Rahane completed his century in 58 balls and eventually remained unbeaten on 105 runs from 63 balls and helped RR to reach the total of 191/6 in their quota of 20 overs. Rajasthan played with a lowe run-rate in the last five overs which barred them from scoring 200+ runs.
ALSO READ: Twitterati Hails Ajinkya Rahane For His Dominating Century
During the chase, Delhi needed a quick-fire start and Shikhar Dhawan started the innings with a bang, along with Prithvi Shaw, he amassed as many as 59 runs in the powerplay itself. However, Dhawan got out in the 8th over while attempting a six and he was stumped by Samson off the bowling of Shreyas Gopal. Iyer also got dismissed soon as he was also got dismissed by Riyan Parag in the 9th over.
After Iyer’s dismissal, Shaw built a partnership with Rishabh Pant as they added 84 runs for the third wicket before the former getting out in the 17th over. However, Pant kept on smashing the DC bowlers after completing his second fifty of the season as he amassed 78* off just 36 balls. He finished the game with a six in the last over to take Delhi over the line with 4 balls to spare and 6 wickets in hand.
WATCH – Lucky Prithvi Shaw, Ball Kissed The Bails, Still Not-out
Brief Score:
Delhi Capitals – 193/4 in 19.2 overs (R Pant: 78*, S Dhawan: 54; S Gopal: 2/47) defeated Rajasthan Royals – 191/6 in 20 overs (A Rahane: 105*; K Rabada: 2/37, I Sharma: 1/27) by 6 wickets with 4 balls to spare
And @RishabPant777 isn’t in the World Cup squad !!!!!! 👀 #IPL2019 #Bonkers
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) April 22, 2019
Imagine Rishbah Pant being part of Indian squad for the World Cup.
Dhoni, Pant, Pandya all in great form for the finishing role, to go with the heavy top-three of Rohit, Dhawan, Kohli.
That would be a complete batting unit.
How much will India miss Pant? #RRvDC
— Bharath Seervi (@SeerviBharath) April 22, 2019
If only Pant had finished a few more games before the World Cup squad was picked…..and Khaleel had played a few more. #IPL
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) April 22, 2019
Rishabh Pant will be very proud of this innings. Difference between promise and what a proper pro does. Look forward to seeing many more of these.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) April 22, 2019
If @RishabPant777 is not good enough to be in the Indian World Cup squad, then I don’t know anything of a game that has been a life passion.. he is a fearless new age player with the X factor.. #RishabhPant #RRvDC
— Citizen/नागरिक/Dost Rajdeep (@sardesairajdeep) April 22, 2019
Pant not named in India’s World Cup squad but a six off Jofra Archer’s last ball and a six to win it. That was box office for @DelhiCapitals #RRvDC #IPL #IPL2019 A cricketer you want to watch.
— AlisonMitchell (@AlisonMitchell) April 22, 2019
Pant's situation is similar to the one that Dhoni found himself in yesterday. Pant's approach has differed – his Attack rating is 204 compared to Dhoni's 166 – but his Timing has not suffered, registering 175 compared to Dhoni's 126. #IPL
— The CricViz Analyst (@cricvizanalyst) April 22, 2019
Fantastic knock by Rishabh Pant — 78* off 36 balls. Finished the game and took responsibility.
Never panicked. Wish he played such decisive knocks before would definitely have been in the WC side. Nevertheless he’ll only improve. @DelhiCapitals are on a roll. Great win #RRvDC— Sarang Bhalerao (@bhaleraosarang) April 22, 2019
That was a brilliant batting performance by Delhi Capitals who have won five of their last six matches. Last season they displayed enormous potential but finished last—this season they are top with three games left to play. They are coming of age in front of our eyes. #IPL #RRvDC
— Freddie Wilde (@fwildecricket) April 22, 2019
What a knock by @RishabPant777! You are a born match winner You deserve a place in the word cup! Match winners might not perform every game but when they do they will take your breath away! India will miss your services in England this summer! #IPL2019 #RRvDC
— Kris Srikkanth (@KrisSrikkanth) April 22, 2019
What a game @DelhiCapitals great run chase once again top batting @SDhawan25 paa and @PrithviShaw 👏👏👏 but this guy tonight @RishabPant777 very very mature knock top batting bro many more to come 😊👏👏 @IPL
— Rahul Sharma (@ImRahulSharma3) April 22, 2019
