IPL 2021: RR vs DC Review – Miller, Morris deliver miraculous first win for the Royals

Rajasthan Royals’ big-money signing Chris Morris starred with the bat to seal a thriller against Delhi Capitals at the Wankhede Stadium on Thursday. Chasing a modest 148, Royals fell off the track several times during the innings but eventually held their nerves together under pressure.

Delhi batsmen crumble in 1st innings

Earlier, Sanju Samson won the toss and sent in Delhi to bat first. Jaydev Unadkat, who was left out from Royals’ first match came back with a wonderful spell with the new ball. He dismissed the top three Delhi batsmen to put them on the back foot. At 37/4, Delhi captain Rishabh Pant played a sublime knock putting together a partnership with debutant Lalit Yadav.

Pant scored 51 off 32 balls to help the momentum shift slightly towards Delhi but his run-out helped Rajasthan get back into the match. Some handy lower-order contributions from Chris Woakes and Tom Curran helped Delhi post 147/8.

Rajasthan falter as well

At the halfway stage into Rajasthan’s chase, Delhi had already bagged five of their wickets and had them on the backfoot. Five of Rajasthan’s top six batsmen failed to get into the double digits but David Miller scored a brilliant half-century to keep Rajasthan in the hunt. Miller’s dismissal brought to the crease their team’s most expensive signing. Chris Morris took over and with able support from Unadkat, smashed the Delhi bowlers in the death overs. In the end, Rajasthan chased down the target with two balls to spare.

Turning points

Jaydev Unadkat’s spell: The way Unadkat bowled on a good batting surface just goes to show his class and experience having played on Indian surfaces. In his first spell, he picked up a wicket in each of three overs, completely destroying Delhi’s top order.

Rishabh Pant’s run out: With Pant having just crossed 50 and looking set for a big score, Delhi’s hopes of getting to a substantial total were still alive. But Riyan Parag pulled out a stunner of a direct hit to dismiss Pant. After that, only the tail-enders and an inexperienced Lalit Yadav were left, which put Royals in the driver’s seat.

Morris’s knock: Miller’s wicket gave Delhi the much-needed momentum shift just when they thought the game was getting away from them. But they didn’t realise what awaited them until Morris tore their bowlers apart. The way he attacked on his countryman Kagiso Rabada completely turned the game on its head. He ended with 36 runs off 18 balls, hitting four sixes in the last two overs to take Royals home in style.

Personal records/achievements:

• Delhi’s innings was the first time when no sixes were hit in a 20-over IPL innings at the Wankhede Stadium
• It was also the first time when Rishabh Pant didn’t hit a single six during a 50+ score in IPL

Way ahead

Rajasthan will now take on the Chennai Super Kings on April 19. Delhi’s next match is against Punjab Kings on April 18. Both matches will be played in Mumbai.