Third Jos Buttler century in IPL powers Rajasthan to a drama-filled victory over Delhi Capitals
The Rajasthan Royals won over the Delhi Capitals by 15 runs while preventing a last-minute scare at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.
Jos Buttler : MVP 2022 ?Rajasthan Royals hit the highest score of this IPL season, 222, with the help of Jos Buttler, who is in ultimate form. The Englishman hit his third century of the season and looks in better form with each game.
Jos Buttler and Devdutt Padikkal demolish Delhi’s bowling line-up
After being put in to bat by Delhi Capital's skipper Rishabh Pant, Devdutt Padikkal, and Jos Buttler led Rajasthan Royal to a dreamy start and added a 155-run partnership.
The duo reached 50 runs in 6.5 overs and then slowly settled into the pitch. Buttler slammed Delhi Capital spinners, Kuldeep Yadav and Axar Patel, for sixes and fours to score a half-century in just 36 balls.
Kuldeep Yadav seemed to be the bowler of choice for Rajasthan Royals as Buttler picked him up for 18 runs over. And things just turned bad for Delhi in the death overs with Rajasthan going all out with their batting.
Rajasthan Royal then picked another Yadav over to shoot at and scored three boundaries, including a couple of sixes.
Padikkal completed his 50 in 31 balls. However, he was finally dismissed for 54 runs off of 35 balls at the start of the 16th over, caught in front of the wicket by Khaleel Ahmad in the 16th over, as DC scored their first breakthrough late in the innings.
Buttler also finally got out in the 19th over, but the damage was done, and Rajasthan left Delhi with an improbable target to chase.
The captain, Sanju Samson, also showed fireworks and scored a quick cameo with 46 runs in unbeaten innings off of 19 balls to help Rajasthan reach the 200-run mark.
Delhi Capitals give Rajasthan Royals a run for their money
Delhi Capitals C chased the impressive total with regular openers Prithvi Shaw and David Warner opening their innings. The duo added 43 runs in just 4.3 overs before Sanju Samson caught Warner on delivery by Prasidh Krishna. Warner scored a fast 28 off of 14 balls.
Shaw and skipper Rishabh Pant had the asking rate on-demand with their impressive partnership of 51 runoff just 29 balls. However, Ashwin struck Prithvi Shaw at 37 off of 27 balls just as the partnership looked to mature.
Pant kept Delhi afloat until the 12th over, but he was also caught on delivery by Prasidh Krishna, with just 6 runs left for his half-century.
Rovman Powell gave Rajasthan Royals a last-minute scare with his incredible display of power-hitting. However, not enough to take Delhi home.
Powell smashed 36 runs off of just 15 balls, in the penultimate over by Obed McCoy, he hit three sixes consecutively in the first three deliveries when Delhi needed 36 off the final over.
Meanwhile, McCoy got his act together and stopped Powell’s flurry to lead Rajasthan Royal to 15 runs win over Delhi.
With this win, Rajasthan Royals have propelled themselves to the top of the points table. And will try to continue to add to this win streak against Royal Challengers Bangalore on the 26th of April.
On the other hand, Delhi Capitals are number 6 on the points table and will meet Kolkata Knight Riders, who are just 1 position below them, on 28th April.