IPL 2018: Match 32, DD vs RR, Review- Buttler blitz goes in vain as hosts hold nerves

Prior to the game, the Delhi Daredevils (DD) were under more pressure than the Rajasthan Royals (RR). Following their defeat against the Chennai Super Kings (CSK), Delhi couldn’t have afforded another mishap as that could’ve slapped them with an elimination. The skids were also under the Royals and even they required a victory to fuel their campaign.

Meanwhile, the heavens opened up and the heavy downpour halted play and every side was allotted 18 overs. The game, eventually, had a result as Ajinkya Rahane’s men brushed aside the home team by 4 runs (DLS Method). DD blazed away towards an amazing total with 196 runs on the board in 17.1 overs just then the rain came back with its venom. The target for the visitors was revised to 151 runs in 12 balls, which the Daredevils defended.

Batsmen carted the visitors   

The track at the Feroz Shah Kotla seemed like yet another batsman’s paradise and Rahane chose to chase. Delhi got off to the worst possible start as Colin Munro nicked Dhawal Kulkarni’s away-going delivery into the gloves of Jos Buttler. However, Prithvi Shaw and Iyer took the bowling to the cleaners and made optimum utilization of the field restrictions.

The duo carved a partnership of 74 runs off 44 balls and set the platform for a blistering finish. Shaw was absolutely phenomenal and notched 47 runs, which included four boundaries and as many sixes. It eventually required a clever delivery by Shreyas Gopal to get rid of him. Thereafter, Rishabh Pant, along with his skipper made a mockery of Rajasthan’s bowling and kept peppering the boundaries.

Pant carried on his impressive form from the previous game and scored 69 runs off 29 balls. The duo built a partnership of 92 runs, which was broken by a slower delivery by Jaydev Unadkat. Vijay Shankar played a useful cameo after which the rain appeared. It stayed for a while after which the daunting revised target was set for the visitors.

Buttler roars but Delhi trumps   

With the target revised, the batting line was bound to be altered. D’Arcy Short and Buttler began the proceedings. The latter looked in scorching touch and went hell for leather right from the word go. He was severe on every other fast-bowler and notched a half-century in a mere 18 balls, which brought the required rate down from 12.5 to nearly below 10 at one stage.

On the other hand, Short, who made a comeback into the team, strained to make a proper connection. Nevertheless, Amit Mishra delivered a body blow as he nipped out the prized wicket of Buttler. Sanju Samson followed suit and became Trent Boult’s maiden victim in the game. Nevertheless, Short finally came on to his own and smacked Maxwell for three consecutive sixes.

However, Maxwell avenged the beating and pinned Short when he seemed to run away with the game. Ben Stokes faltered yet again and was snapped by Boult. The Royals required 34 runs off the last two overs. Krishnappa Gowtham tried his heart out in the final over against Boult, but Rajasthan slumped to yet another defeat in this season.

Brief Scores

Delhi Daredevils: 196/6 in 17.1 overs; Rishabh Pant 69, Shreyas Iyer 50; Jaydev Unadkat 3/46, Jofra Archer 1/31

Rajasthan Royals: 146/5 in 12 overs; Jos Buttler 67, D’Arcy Short 44, Trent Boult 2/26, Amit Mishra 1/12

Delhi Daredevils beat Rajasthan Royals by 4 runs (DLS Method)

Player of the Match: Rishabh Pant