Delhi Capitals In Cruise Control

Delhi Capitals continued its dominant run in this year’s Indian Premier League easing to a 46-run win over a struggling Rajasthan Royals here on Friday. The Capitals regained its top slot on the table with 10 points from six matches, while the Royals has lost its fourth game in a row to remain at lowly seventh.

Despite a mid-innings wobble, the Capitals managed to post a competitive score of 184 for eight with Shimron Hetmyer smashing a 24-ball 45, studded with five sixes and a four to emerge as the top-scorer. Marcus Stoinis (39 off 30) too chipped in. In reply, the Royals was bowled out for 138.

The Royals was never in the hunt as youngster Yashasvi Jaiswal looked completely ill-at-ease consuming too many dot balls as the asking rate started climbing. His opening partner, Jos Buttler, struck two boundaries to release the pressure but soon perished to his nemesis R Ashwin for 13 (8b, 2x4). In walked captain Steve Smith and he batted with an aggressive mindset smacking Kagiso Rabada for a six and a four off successive balls as the Royals reached 41 for one in six overs.

However, there was trouble lurking for the Royals and when Anrich Nortje was handed the ball, he promptly accounted for the crucial wicket of Smith held neatly by Hetmyer for 24 (17b, 2x4, 1x6). At the halfway mark, the Royals was 65 for two. Much hinged on Sanju Samson to bail his team out of trouble but he disappointed yet again falling for just 5 (9b) to Stoinis. Just five balls later, Ashwin removed Mahipal Lomror for one leaving the Royals in a spot of bother. Once Jaiswal was castled by Stoinis attempting an ungainly hoick for 34 (1x4, 2x6), it was all over for the Royals.

Earlier, desperate to snap its three-match losing streak, RR opted to field and the bowling unit delivered with Jofra Archer (3/24) taking three wickets and spinner Rahul Tewatia (1/20) and Kartik Tyagi (1/35) capturing one each.

Playing his first IPL match this season, Andrew Tye also took one wicket but he conceded 50 in his four overs. The Capitals posted the lowest first innings total at the ground this season.

The two run outs of the dangerous Shreyas Iyer (22 off 18) and Rishabh Pant (5) also proved crucial.

BRIEF SCORES: 

Delhi Capitals 184/8 in 20 overs (S Hetmyer 45, M Stoinis 39, J Archer 3/24) bt Rajasthan Royals 138 in 19.4 overs (R Tewatia 38, K Rabada 3/35)