Delhi Capitals continued its undisputed UAE streak in IPL 2021, as it has tamed Rajasthan Royals by 33 runs in Abu Dhabi. Consequently, it is back on the top of the table.
It was a magnificent bowling effort from Delhi Capitals. On Saturday, it tamed former champion Rajasthan Royals by 33 runs in Match 36 of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021 at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi.
Winning the toss, RR skipper Sanju Samson elected to field, which turned out to be a fair decision, while he made a couple of changes. As for DC, it made a change, bringing in Lalit Yadav for an injured Stoinis.
DC was off to a shaky start, losing its openers Shikhar Dhawan (8) and Prithvi Shaw (10) in the powerplay itself, as the score read 21/2. But, it was followed by a promising 62-run stand between Shreyas Iyer (42) and skipper Rishabh Pant (24) before the latter played on to pacer Mutafizur Rahman's rising delivery in the 12th over.
Seven runs later, at 90, Iyer was stumped by Samson off spinner Rahul Tewatia in the 14th. It was followed by a 31-run stand between Shimron Hetmyer (28) and Lalit (14*) before the former fell to Rahman in the 17th.
DC lacked effective partnerships hereon, as, at 142, all-rounder Axar Patel (12) was dismissed by pacer Chetan Sakariya in the 19th, while Lalit and Ravichandran Ashwin (6*) was the final pair allowing DC to finish at 154/6. RR utilised six bowlers, with Rahman and Sakariya claiming a couple each, while spinner Mahipal Lomror was the most economical man.
In reply, RR was off to a tense start, losing three wickets in the powerplay itself, at the score of 17. The pair of Samson (70*) and Lomror (19) contributed 31 more before the latter departed in the 11th over to pacer Kagiso Rabada, while the two were the only ones to enter double figures.
RR could not have a great partnership thereon, while DC threatened with its bowling continuously, as, at 55, Riyan Parag (2) was cleaned up by spinner Axar Patel. Although Samson and all-rounder Rahul Tewatia (9*) tried to steer the chase thereon, the pressure was too much, as in the 18th over, the latter fell prey to pacer Anrich Nortje.
In the end, DC notched up a win by 33 runs, reclaiming the top spot, as it put just five bowlers into the attack. While Nortje attained the most success, veteran spinner Ashwin was the most economical.
Brief scores: DC 154/6 (Iyer- 43; Rahman- 2/22) beat RR 121/6 (Samson- 70*; Nortje- 2/18) by 33 runs,