Delhi Daredevils and Rising Pune Supergiant came up against each other in Match No. 52 of Vivo IPL 10. While Delhi were playing for nothing but pride, Pune were still chasing a top four spot.
After winning the toss, Delhi opted to bat first and on the back of Karun Nair’s 64, managed to put up a total of 168 on the board, which would have been more had Pune’s fielding been anything less than outstanding.
The Delhi bowlers, however, were up to the mark, especially in the death overs. In the last five overs, 44 runs were scored while four wickets fell. Wickets at the death stalled the chase and sucked all the momentum out of the chase as Pune lost by seven runs.
Extra Cover: IPL 2017, DD vs RPS: Pune's sensational fielding performance is the SK Play of the Match
Here are 5 memorable moments from the match that don't fade away, quite like the Axe Signature range of body perfumes:
#1 Karun Nair finally clicks
After Delhi were reduced to 9 for 2, it was a 74-run stand between Karun Nair and Rishabh Pant that threatened to give them a total in excess of 180. While Pant had to walk back after his 22-ball 36 cameo, Nair continued his onslaught and made a 45-ball 64 to bring up his first half-century of the season.
Nair was clearly in the zone throughout his innings. Two brilliant cut shots, one off Adam Zampa and another off Dan Christian defined his class batting. He hit a total of nine boundaries en route to a 64-run knock and a deserving Man of the Match award.
#2 Pune’s brilliant fielding
With three brilliant catches, it is difficult to single out one that stood out. The first brilliant catch was by Jaydev Unadkat. Initially, he seemed to have lost sight of the ball under the lights, but put in a superb full-stretch dive and just about held on to the cherry.
Nair backed away to a full-length ball and couldn’t connect with it properly as the ball spiralled in the air. Unadkat ran across to his left from short third man and held on with a brilliant dive after he had initially misjudged it.
The second catch was MS Dhoni’s 101st dismissal. A slower short ball from Christian saw Samuels make room outside leg, and get a fat top edge. Dhoni took a couple of steps back, kept his eyes on the ball, and jumped high to complete a one-handed catch.
The third and probably best catch came from Ben Stokes. He did not just save a six off Shami, but gave Unadkat a wicket as well. Stokes caught the ball at the deep mid-wicket boundary after running back, however, he then realised that he was going to step over the ropes. The Englishman then threw the ball back into play, crossed the ropes, and stepped back in to take the catch as the spectators gaped in awe.
#3 Zaheer Khan’s magic first ball
Ajinkya Rahane, India's Test vice-captain is a man with a watertight technique against the moving ball. He could have been the perfect man to anchor the chase of 169 against the Delhi Daredevils. But he had no answer to Zaheer Khan’s brilliant swinging ball.
Zak marked his run-up, adjusted the field and then ran in. The ball came out of his hand, the seam upright and then magic unfolded. The ball shaped in perfectly with the seam pointing towards fine leg before it curled back in to pierce the defences of Rahane and uproot the middle stump.
#4 Manoj Tiwary’s half-century
Manoj Tiwary has been one of the most consistent performers for the Supergiant in IPL 2017. With every innings, he is knocking on the door of the Indian selectors. In the presence of Steve Smith and others, he has gone under the radar, but he has done his job in nearly every game.
Against the Daredevils, he scored a crucial 45-ball 60 in which he hit 5 fours and 3 sixes. But unfortunately, it came in a losing cause.
#5 Ben Stokes’ all-round performance
Ben Stokes once again justified the price tag for which he was picked up in the auctions. The England all-rounder proved a point in all three departments – bowling, batting and fielding. His catch to send back Mohammad Shami was nothing short of sensational.
In the bowling department, he picked up two wickets and gave away 31 runs in his complete quota. With the willow, he showcased his power hitting in his 25-ball 33 which was marked by 2 sixes and 3 fours. Pune are sure to feel the heat when Stokes goes back to England and misses out on the playoffs, if they qualify.
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