Highlight
To kick off the new IPL era in 2021, Delhi Capitals beat Rajasthan Royals by 33 runs
DCC scored 154 runs off 20 overs in Abu Dhabi, their highest total in the UAE.
RR’s response was pitiful, scoring just 121 runs in 20 overs.
After a lackluster showing at the plate, Delhi Capitals bowlers more than made up for it with their bowling as they defeated Rajasthan Royals by 33 runs in the IPL 2021 match.
Delhi Capitals’ bowlers made up for their batting’s lackluster performance by defeating Rajasthan Royals by 33 runs in Abu Dhabi on Saturday in the Indian Premier League. A strong Capitals’ bowling unit held the Royals to 121/6 after the team posted 154/6 thanks to 43 from Shreyas Iyer and 28 runs from Shimron Hetmyer, who came on late in the innings to provide a late flourish. A brilliant unbeaten 70 from Rajasthan skipper Sanju Samson was not enough to lift his side, who lost wickets regularly from the other end as their innings dragged on in vain.
The Delhi bowlers, led by South African Anrich Nortje (2/18), worked well together. As a result, four players took a wicket each: Avesh Khan (1/29), Kagiso Rabada (1/26), Axar Patel (1/27), and Ravichandran Ashwin (1/20).
The Capitals have reclaimed first place in the Metropolitan Division, while the Royals have dropped to sixth place.
Pacers Khan and Nortje gave the Capitals the fast start they needed by dismissing both openers — Liam Livingstone (1) and Yashasvi Jaiswal (5) — in their first two overs while defending a modest total.
As a result of Rishabh Pant’s bowling change, the Royals now have a shaky 17-3 lead after Ashwin removed dangerous David Miller (7).
Rajasthan needed 107 runs in the final 10 overs to win, an increase in the required run rate. The partnership between Samson and the inexperienced Mahipal Lomror (19) appeared to be reviving the innings, but Rabada, ever-reliable, snuffed it out.
In addition, Riyan Parag (2 years old) and Rahul Tewatia (9 years old) were unable to contribute anything of value. Samson was on a tear, hammering home runs left and right. However, the Delhi bowlers mounted a strong comeback.
In the first innings, the Royals’ pacemen — led by Mustafizur Rahman (2/22) and Chetan Sakariya (2/33), and Kartik Tyagi (1/40) — shared five wickets while spin all-rounder Rahul Tewatia (1/17) dismissed one batsman.
Shikhar Dhawan, the Orange Cap holder, was bowled out in the fourth over by Tyagi, the star of the match against Punjab Kings (8).
A good length delivery looked like it would be played by Delhi’s opener, but it rolled back and hit the stumps. Following his opening partner back to the dugout, Prithvi Shaw (10) sliced Sakariya’s ball to Liam Livingstone at mid-off, who collected it.
The Capitals’ position was precarious at 36 for the loss of two wickets at the end of the powerplay.
Spinning was introduced to Shreyas Iyer (43 off 32 balls) and skipper Rishabh Pant in the seventh over, and both batted admirably.
The pair, who put on a 62-run stand, kept the scoreboard moving at Sheikh Zayed Stadium while also smacking a few boundaries.
When Iyer faced left-arm wrist spinner Tabraiz Shamsi (0/34) in the 10th over, he smashed his first maximum of the match over long-off.
Rahman was reintroduced as the two Delhi batters regained their footing, and it immediately paid off as Pant’s attempt to hook the ball away ended with an under-the-edge.
After that, Samson used his glove skills to get rid of Iyer, who had failed to get his back foot all the way into the crease as wickets fell like flies.
In the 16th over, Shimron Hetmyer, who was doing well with the bat, piled on the runs by hitting three boundaries off Tyagi. It was a quick 28 off 16 balls for the big-hitting West Indian, who hit five fours.
