IPL 2018: Match 6, RR vs DD, Review- Royals edge past Daredevils in rain-truncated encounter

The start of the season was awful for both Rajasthan Royals and the Delhi Daredevils following their annihilation against the Sunrisers Hyderabad and the Kings XI Punjab respectively. However, the Indian Premier League (IPL) is a long tournament where every team has ample opportunities to stage a comeback.

Steve Smith’s exclusion left a massive void in Rajasthan’s setup, which was palpable from their erratic display of cricket in Hyderabad. However, they opened their account with a comprehensive victory in the rain-curtailed game. The Royals innings was halted midway after which Delhi Daredevils were faced with a daunting target which turned out to be a bridge too far for them.

The pitch had a greenish tinge to it, which indicated assistance for the fast-bowlers. Moreover, teams have preferred to chase thus far in the tournament. Quite expectantly, after winning the toss, Gautam Gambhir and the Daredevils elected to have a crack at the Royals in their fortress. The decision paid dividends immediately, not with the leather, but with some immaculate piece of fielding.

D’Arcy Short fell to a run-out, second time in two matches, this time it was Vijay Shankar who got in the throw. Ben Stokes was ‘surprisingly’ promoted ahead of Sanju Samson and the strategy worked until Trent Boult produced an out-swinger and pinned the English all-rounder who was squared only to be caught behind. Thereafter, Ajinkya Rahane and Samson stitched together a partnership worth 62 runs, which injected momentum into the innings.

Samson and Buttler put a formidable total

Samson was fluent against the Sunrisers and he replicated similar form versus the Daredevils as well. However, against the run of play, Shahbaz Nadeem ran through his defence and castled him when the keeper-batsman was threatening to take the game away from Gambhir’s men. Rahane scored 45 runs but never got going at any stage of the innings.

He eventually became Nadeem’s second victim as an inside edge of his willow spooned into the safe hands of Chris Morris. Jos Buttler, who played for the Mumbai Indians last season, came out all guns blazing and found the boundaries from the outset. Rahul Tripathi lent him appropriate support by turning the strike over.

Mohammed Shami bowled well and he nipped out the crucial wicket of Buttler when the English wicketkeeper-batsman tried to paddle the ball down to the fine leg region. Just after the dismissal, the heavens opened up and the play was halted for quite a while. Rain played hide and seek before the game eventually resumed just in the nick of time with a revised target of 71 runs off six overs.

Rain and luck guides Royals over the line

Delhi changed their opening partnership, bearing in mind the revised target. Gautam Gambhir, who was slotted to open the innings, demoted himself. Meanwhile, they got off to the worst possible starts as Colin Munro perished without opening his account and without facing a delivery in Krishnappa Gowtham’s first over.

Rishabh Pant took charge at number three and went hammer and tongs from the go. The Delhi batsman spanked a couple of boundaries to kick-start proceedings. However, Dhawal Kulkarni got a measure of him and bowled a stupendous over which cost a mere five runs. Jaydev Unadkat, in the following over, beat Maxwell in the first three balls.

Nevertheless, the Aussie stormed back and spanked a couple of boundaries and a monstrous six over long-on to keep the Royals in contention. Ben Laughlin struck a body blow for the Daredevils with the prize scalp of Maxwell. The pacer gave away seven runs which made the Royals the firm favourites to register their maiden victory of the season.

Chris Morris took charge after Maxwell’s dismissal and used the long handle to whatever extent he can. On the other hand, the required rate escalated much too briskly for Delhi’s comfort. Pant was dismissed in the penultimate over after which the game turned into a mere formality. While the Royals resurrected their derailed start, Delhi find themselves at the bottom of the table after a couple of losses.

Brief Scores

Rajasthan Royals: 153/5 in 17.5 overs; Ajinkya Rahane 45, Sanju Samson 37; Shahbaz Nadeem 2/34, Mohammed Shami 1/29

Revised Target (71 off 6 overs)

Delhi Daredevils: 60/4 in 6 overs; Rishabh Pant 20, Chris Morris 17*; Ben Laughlin 2/20, Jaydev Unadkat 1/24

Rajasthan Royals beat Delhi Daredevils by 10 runs (D/L Method)

Player of the Match: Sanju Samson