IPL 2018, DD vs RR: Hits and Misses

After rain delayed the start of play by 90 minutes, the game was reduced to 18-overs-a-side. Despite losing Colin Munro early, Prithvi Shaw didn’t allow the Rajasthan Royals bowlers to settle as he scored a quick-fire 47 (in 25 balls) and helped Delhi Daredevils get off to a good start.

It was the fireworks from Shreyas Iyer (50) and Rishabh Pant (69) that helped DD post 196 in 17.1 overs before rain made another appearance. After a 30-minute delay, RR were set a target of 151 in 12 overs. Jos Buttler set the stage on fire as he struck a fine 25-ball 68 to help RR get an excellent start in their chase. D’Arcy Short who struggled for the most part of his innings, struck 3 sixes off Glenn Maxwell to keep RR in the hunt. Krishnappa Gowtham’s big-hitting took RR close but couldn’t take them over the line.

It was DD’s 3rd win of the season and this win helped them move to the 6th position in the points table.

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#5 Hit: Shreyas Iyer

Shreyas Iyer has been very good at No. 3 for DD in this season

Shreyas Iyer has been one of the shining lights for Delhi Daredevils in this season. He’s been one of the most consistent DD batsmen in this IPL.

He started the tournament sedately but he has found the much-needed consistency and scored 3 back-to-back half-centuries including a 93 on captaincy debut where he helped DD snap their losing streak. After being run out in the last game due to miscommunication, Iyer made amends as he struck a free-flowing 50.

The DD skipper walked out to bat in the first over after the dismissal of Colin Munro and with Prithvi Shaw looking in fabulous touch, Iyer played second fiddle. At one point, Iyer had reached 12 off 14 balls before smashing Shreyas Gopal for a couple of sixes and got going. He tried to dominate for a couple of overs before once again playing second fiddle to Rishabh Pant.

The DD skipper who was playing his 3rd game as captain scored his fourth half-ton of the season before falling prey to Jaydev Unadkat’s slower ball.

#4 Miss: RR spinners

Krishnappa Gowtham conceded 27 runs in his two overs

The Rajasthan Royals spinners have been quite good in this season. Krishnappa Gowtham and Shreyas Gopal had combined well and had shared 10 wickets (5 each). Ish Sodhi who got a game against Sunrisers Hyderabad did well too.

However, Sodhi got dropped as RR opted for D’Arcy Short and brought back Gopal who sat out in the last game. And the Karnataka spin duo struggled in this game. Gowtham came into bowl in the 4th over and conceded a couple of boundaries before his spin partner gave a couple of sixes after a good start in his first over.

Gopal did get the wicket of Prithvi Shaw but he was struck for another couple of sixes in his second over. Gowtham conceded 16 runs in his second over as he ended with figures of 0/27 in his 2 overs.

The spinners bowled just four overs and conceded 53 runs. Hence, it was an off-day for the Rajasthan spinners.

#3 Hit: Rishabh Pant

Rishabh Pant looked in sublime touch as he struck a wonderful 69

Rishabh Pant is another batsman who has looked really good in this IPL. He has registered a couple of fifties but both of them came in a losing cause.

In this game, DD got a flying start as Prithvi Shaw struck a blistering 25-ball 47 to set the tone for DD. It was then Pant long with Shreyas Iyer who provided impetus to the innings. The Delhi wicket-keeper strode out at 74/2 and got off the mark with a six off his fourth delivery. And that was just the start of a splendid inning.

The 20-year-old left-hander found the boundary at regular intervals. He hit 7 fours and 5 sixes and made 69 in just 29 balls as his efforts played a vital role in DD reaching 196/6 in 17.1 overs before rain interrupted play. It was once again a superb inning from Pant and he also went onto grab the Orange Cap.

#2 Miss: Glenn Maxwell

Glenn Maxwell once again failed with the bat

Glenn Maxwell has been one of the biggest disappointments in this season for Delhi Daredevils. He’s gone past the 20-mark only twice in this tournament. In this game, he once again disappointed as he was out for 5.

He came into bat in the 15th over and the platform was set for him to explode and set a big target. However, Maxwell couldn’t get going and scored a run-a-ball 5. He struggled against Jofra Archer and Jaydev Unadkat who executed their death bowling skills well.

With the ball, he was hit for three sixes by D’Arcy Short which brought by RR back in the game. But Maxwell did dismiss Short as he had him caught at third-man. But it was once again a poor game for Maxwell.

#1 Hit: Jos Buttler

Buttler brought his team really close

Buttler hasn’t quite fired in this IPL. He’s got four 20s but hasn’t gone past 29 (which is his highest score in this season). But with a target of 151, the England wicket-keeper was pushed to open the batting and he looked in superb touch.

He made his intentions clear in the first over where he hit Shahbaz Nadeem for a four and a six. He then went after Avesh Khan and Liam Plunkett as the duo conceded 46 runs in the two overs they bowled in the powerplay. Buttler took most of the strike as he was striking it brilliantly and he also raised his first half-century (in just 18 deliveries) of the season in the 5th over.

The 27-year-old England wicket-keeper batsman continued to attack the bowlers but fell trying to go after Amit Mishra. Buttler fell for a superb 25-ball 68 as he gave RR some hope of chasing a huge target.