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.
#5 Hit: Shreyas Iyer
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.