Ishant Sharma and Ajinkya Rahane led the charge for Delhi Capitals as they restricted Rajasthan Royals for 115 runs at the Feroz Shah Kotla in Delhi in the 53rd game of the IPL 2019.
Meanwhile, the Rajasthan Royals skipper Ajinkya Rahane won the toss and elected to bat first. Both the team made two changes – Ish Sodhi and Krishnappa Gowtham came in, for Steven Smith and Jaydev Unadkat for the Royals while for Delhi Keemo Paul and Ishant Sharma slotted in place Suchith and Chris Morris. However, the decision turned out to be a boomerang for the visiting team as they lost their skipper Ajinkya Rahane in the second over. Ishant Sharma utilised the slowness of the pitch as the ball stopped on its way to Rahane only to get a leading edge to Shikhar Dhawan.
Ishant has looked in great form this season and he is certainly learning as he is growing old. He defeated Liam Livingstone with his variation and snuffed through his defences to have Rajasthan Royals at 20 for two. To make things worse, Sanju Samson got run out after a complete mix-up with Mahipal Lomror. Ishant Sharma made Lomror his third victim as Delhi Capitals pegged ahead in the game.
Since then, Shreyas Gopal and Riyan Parag added 27 runs to help Rajasthan crossed the 50-run mark. The duo looked to rotate the strike before Amit Mishra got the better of Gopal. Stuart Binny followed the pack in the next delivery as Rajasthan Royals were reeling at 57 for six. Mishra then came back in the 13th over to dismiss Krishanappa Gowtham. But the 17-year-old Parag once again impressed with his spectacular display of batting.
Parag held on to the fort from one end while the wicket kept falling from the other end. He stitched small partnerships with all the batsmen as they managed to cross the 100-run mark. In the process, Riyan Parag also brought his half-century as Rajasthan Royals post 115 runs at the end of 20 overs.
Twitter Reactions
Forgettable IPL for @ajinkyarahane88
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) May 4, 2019
https://twitter.com/_cricketsparsh/status/1124634619939155968
Well, #RR aren't doing their slim qualification chances any good. Yes, the track is slow but not a 66-7 surface
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) May 4, 2019
The pitch at the Ferozeshah Kotla is _________ #DCvRR #IPL
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) May 4, 2019
Something special about Riyan Parag. All of 17 but batting like he’s been playing at this level for 17 years… #DCvRR
— Jatin Sapru (@jatinsapru) May 4, 2019
Parag has come to the Rajasthan Royals' rescue with his own parachute. What a player. #DCvRR #IPL2019
— Tahir Ibn Manzoor (@TahirIbnManzoor) May 4, 2019
I like those young players who play according to the situation and that's why Shubman Gill and Riyan Parag are the special talent. #DCvRR #VIVOIPL
— ???? ???? (@kingofstallions) May 4, 2019
https://twitter.com/tejas_pujare/status/1124634002969600001
https://twitter.com/GautamVashisht4/status/1124628465469145088
When You See Ishant Sharma Is Taking 3 Wickets In T20s #DCvRR #RRvDC #IshantSharma pic.twitter.com/UBWDrxsZiy
— Ravindra Jadeja Fan (@SirJadeja_Real) May 4, 2019
https://twitter.com/Saikatghosh12/status/1124633979833815042
https://twitter.com/Thiruva09112489/status/1124633644964777984
All you can think is there's a plane to catch out of Delhi Airport #DCvRR #IPL2019
— Ian Pont ?? (@Ponty100mph) May 4, 2019
Yes tough pitch to bat ! It is low and slow out there. But have to say #RR players played some horrible shots. Only Parag 17 yr old kid is looking to play sensibly. #DCvRR
— Wide_yorker (@wideyorker) May 4, 2019