IPL 9, Match 49: RPS v DD - 5 Talking Points

The path to the playoffs became tougher for Delhi Daredevils after they inflicted an embarrassing win to Rising Pune Supergiants at the Vishakapatnam. After being put into bat, the DD side displayed a very sub-standard batting performance and could manage only 121/6 in 20 overs with the help of Karun Nair (41 from 43 balls) and Chris Morris (38 from 20 balls) face-saving knocks. Ashok Dinda and Adam Zampa bowled wonderful spell and were the chief tormentors for the DD side. In reply, the RPS started off well and were heading towards a successful chase before rain interrupted twice and eventually forced the game to be called off. RPS side, which was 19 run ahead of the D/L method, were declared winners. Ajinkya Rahane (42 from 36 balls) was the top scorer for RPS.

1. Delhi Daredevils batting order crashes:

The DD batting order yet again crumbled badly and looked very mediocre. After being put into bat by the opposition, the side lost their openers Quinton de Kock and Shreyas Iyer very cheaply. Sanju Samson and Rishab Pant also could not do anything worthy. The batting looked very sluggish and runs came at very slow rate. Karun Nair (41 from 43 balls) fought it out alone and anchored the falling innings really well but his efforts were also not enough as the DD side was huffing to get past the 100 run mark at the end of 19th over before Morris (38 from 20 balls) played a rollicking cameo to take Daredevils to a functional total.

2. Chris Morris comes to the rescue yet again:

The first innings, in a true sense, was very lifeless. The DD batting order disappointed big time. Right from the start to the end, none of the batsman, barring Karun Nair, could make any worthy contribution. In fact, the situation was so pitiful that the side was struggling at 99/6 after 19 overs. The Supergiants had a complete grip over the match and the run rate of the side never went past the 6 run mark for the first 19 overs. However, Chris Morris then turned on the heat in the last over, striking 22 runs off it to give the vital push to the scoreboard. As a result of the cameo, the DD side managed to get to 121/6 at the end of 20 overs.

3. Ashok Dinda & Adam Zampa choke DD:

Ashok Dinda and Adam Zampa played a huge role in choking the DD batting order entirely. Ashoke Dinda made good use of the new ball and gave an early breakthrough to RPS, taking the wickets of Quinton de Kock, Shreyas Iyer, and JP Duminy. Adam Zampa also continued his breathtaking run with the ball and returned with figures of 3/21 in his four overs spell. Much credit can be given to him to disrupt the DD revival in the middle over and keeping the run rate tight.

4. Ajinkya Rahane stands tall in the chase:

Dinda in the post match conference stated described the wicket as two paced and slow. Therefore, considering DD’s bowling attack the target still looked competitive in a sense. The start was also a bit shaky for RPS. Usman Khawaja, who is still looking to break the shackle went on a boundary hitting spree before falling to Chris Morris in the fourth over. The DD bowlers then got hold of the situation to some extent. George Bailey (8 from 18 balls) also looked very lethargic. But the calm and composed Ajinkya Rahane (42 from 36 runs) stood tall against the disciplined bowling attack and ensured that the RPS side were ahead in terms of the D/L par score.

5. Rains interrupt the game twice:

Rains yet again played spoilsport in the IPL after it began to pour in the 9th over of the game. The downpour was steady which resulted in the match being delayed for an hour before umpire found the conditions suitable to resume play. RPS had nothing to worry as they were already ahead of the par score which was 42 at that moment. The covers finally came off at 11.35 but just after a couple of over the drizzles returned and forced the match to be called off completely. RPS at this stage was19 runs ahead of the D/L par score and thus won the game pretty easily.

Also, read – IPL 9, Match 49: Rising Pune Supergiants ease past DD in a rain afflicted encounter