IPL 2020: DC vs RR Review – Delhi go top of the table with all-round show

Delhi Capitals returned to the top of the points table with a brilliant 13-run win over the Rajasthan Royals in Match 30 of IPL 2020 on Wednesday.

After opting to bat first, Delhi were reduced to 10/2 thanks to Jofra Archer’s fiery opening spell. Shreyas Iyer and Shikhar Dhawan then slammed half-centuries to propel the Capitals to a respectable score. When it looked like they would post a total close to 180, the Royals came back well to concede only 29 runs in the last four. Delhi could only get 161 runs in their 20 overs.

The chase began well for the Royals with their openers Jos Buttler and Ben Stokes attacking from the word go. But Anrich Nortje got the better of the former with a 155.1 kph thunderbolt and then Steve Smith also got out early. Even then, a well-set Stokes and Sanju Samson kept Rajasthan ahead in the chase. However, once their partnership was broken, the Capitals clawed their way back.

Robin Uthappa played a decent knock but was castled by Nortje in the 18th over and it was a killing blow as the Royals could never find a boundary in the last five overs and ended up 13 runs short.

Turning points

Buttler’s wicket – Rajasthan had gotten off to a great start and the Delhi captain had to bring Nortje into the attack in the 4th over itself. The pacer was taken apart for 14 runs in the first five balls thanks to some innovative batting from Buttler. But the South African pacer came back stunningly to castle Buttler with a delivery that was faster than it appeared to be. Buttler was slow to react as a fuller length delivery that jagged back in to disturb his furniture.

Stokes’ wicket – Like Buttler, Stokes was also hitting the ball well. After losing two quick wickets, Stokes and Samson added 46 runs with some sensible batting. They got the required boundaries as well to keep Royals ahead in the chase. However, the debutant Tushar Deshpande delivered at a perfect time for DC as he bluffed Stokes with a slower ball. The batsman had charged at him and ended up holing out to long-on.

Top performers

Records/Personal Milestones

• Shikhar Dhawan scored his 39th IPL fifty  – he now holds the record for most fifties by an Indian batsman in the IPL.
• Anrich Nortje bowled the fastest delivery in the history of IPL today which clocked 156.22 kph.

Way Ahead

Up next, Rajasthan face the Virat Kohli-led RCB in their next game on Saturday afternoon in Dubai, while the table-toppers DC will take on Chennai Super Kings on the same evening in Sharjah.

Moment of the match

That was some save from Rahane, the momentum could have shifted to Tewatia if it was a six but Rahane showed his skill in field. pic.twitter.com/hMoc5xJMBF

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) October 14, 2020