IPL 2018, DD vs RCB: Hits and Misses
In what was a game between the bottom two teams, Royal Challengers Bangalore won the toss and opted to field first. They were off to an excellent start as Yuzvendra Chahal dismissed both the openers and Delhi Daredevils were reduced to 16/2.
But a superb knock from Rishabh Pant (where he scored 61 off 34 deliveries) helped DD get back on track as the hosts reached the 100-run mark in the 12th over.
But, they lost Pant and skipper Shreyas Iyer in the span of 7 deliveries and it seemed DD would end up with an under-par total. But 17-year-old Abhishek Sharma struck a blistering 17-ball 45 to propel the score to 181.
In reply, RCB lost both their openers (Parthiv Patel and Moeen Ali) early and were reduced to 18/2. However, a fabulous 118-run stand between Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers resurrected the innings and put them on course for a win.
RCB did lose Mandeep Singh and Sarfaraz Khan after that partnership was broken but de Villiers saw the team through with an over to spare.
This win has kept RCB alive in the tournament, only just though.
#5 Hit: Abhishek Sharma
IPL is a wonderful platform for the youngsters to showcase their talent and prove their worth. Abhishek Sharma certainly did that.
Abhishek Sharma is an Amritsar-born all-rounder who is just 17 years old and was a part of the Under-19 World Cup-winning squad that won earlier this year.
Playing his debut game, the 17-year-old took the cricketing (and IPL) world by storm. The first ball he faced he lofted it over mid-off for an elegant boundary.
But, Abhishek struggled in the next few deliveries and was also dropped by Mohammed Siraj when the former was on 6. And he made full use of the life as he went onto to register a magnificent 19-ball 46.
The two sixes he hit off Tim Southee were elegant and authoritative. It was his knock that gave DD a push at the death and helped them get to 181.