The fortress of highest scoring affairs this season has finally seen a score below 200 being defended as the ever successful Delhi Capitals beat Rajasthan Royals. It was the Shimron Hetymer and Marcus Stoinis show as Delhi scored 184 at the end of 20 overs.
In return, Rajasthan Royals collapsed quite miserably as Ravichandran Ashwin struck two in the powerplay as the franchise in pink were restricted to a mere 138 as Delhi Capitals beat Rajasthan Royals by a whopping 46 run margin.
It all started at the toss as Rajasthan Royals skipper Steve Smith won the toss and elected to bowl first at Sharjah. The decision to bowl first was understandable as the last time the Royals played at Sharjah they had won the match chasing the score against Kings XI Punjab.
Rajasthan Royals Continue their losing streak
Batting first Delhi Capitals didn’t have the greatest of starts as they lost Dhawan, Prithvi and Iyer all in the powerplay. In the end, it was Shimron Hetymer and Marcus Stoinis who dug Delhi out of trouble by taking them to a score of 184 with the help of mini contributions from Harshal Patel and Axar Patel down the order.
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In reply Rajasthan Royals too had a horror start as they lost Jos Buttler and Steve Smith very early on in the innings. With all hopes on Sanju Samson, he too fell prey Marcus Stoinis’ medium pace. Well, then it was just about time since Delhi Capitals bowlers had done a phenomenal job in building the pressure on the Rajasthan Royals batsmen.
In the end, Kagiso Rabada wrapped the match up in the 19th over as Delhi Capitals jump right up in the points table with this win.
Credit Goes To The Backroom Staff For DC’s Success: Ravichandran Ashwin
The man of the match of today’s match between Rajasthan Royals and Delhi Capitals was Ravichandran Ashwin for his fine bowling spell as he picked up two crucial wickets in the Powerplay. At the post-match presentation, Ashwin was in all praise for the Delhi Capitals bowling attack.
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He went on to credit the backroom staff for the way the players have been performing so well this season. Furthermore, he spoke about how he’s just planning each game and then expressing it out on match day.
“One of the important thing in this bowling attack is that most bowlers can bowl at any moment. It is sort of a role where you can put your hand up and be brave about it. Credit goes to the backroom staff.
I am in a very good space mentally and physically and it really shows. Really enjoying myself in both those spaces. I just need to take it out to practice once the planning is done and then go out and express myself,” Ravichandran Ashwin.
Ravichandran Ashwin also revealed that he did bowl the carrom ball once or twice in the powerplay. For a matter of fact, he feels it’s up to the bowlers how much he feels the need to use the variation. Further talked about how the humid condition in Sharjah, made the ball soaking wet which made him difficult to grip the ball.
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In the end, Ravichandran Ashwin spoke about how he’s taking care of his shoulder as he doesn’t want to get injured again.
“I did use the carrom ball in the powerplay once or twice. It is just about how much you want to use it in the powerplay when you’re ahead of the game. I got a brilliant catch and getting that Jos (Buttler) wicket was important.
But the ball was soaking wet after the powerplay and the sweat didn’t help either. (On his injury) In a lot of positions, my body is taking over psychologically. I just don’t want to land awkwardly and put weight on it. But it is important that I look after myself and not stretch it,” Ravichandran Ashwin concluded.