 "IPL 2024: Riyan Parag's merciless knock, R Ashwin's cameo and other top moments from RR vs DC clash")
Rajasthan Royals (RR) had a night to remember on Thursday after they defeated Delhi Capitals (DC) by 12 runs in Match 9 of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 season in Jaipur. With the win, RR maintained the trend of home team winning games throughout the season so far.
RR were not off to the best of starts after being put to bat but Riyan Parag (84*) made the difference to set them the platform for a challenging total. Rishabh Pant and Tristan Stubbs put up a fight, but DC still fell short of the required target.
We now take a look at some top moments from the game:
Perfect start for Delhi Capitals
Delhi Capitals had won the toss and opted to field against Rajasthan Royals, and for a few moments, it seemed as though the visitors were heading in the right direction. Yashasvi Jaiswal, who scored 24 against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), found the going tough after he was cleaned up by Mukesh Kumar for five in the second over. Sanju Samson, who is known for the nature of his explosive batting, fell victim to a poor shot execution after he was caught by Pant off Khaleel Ahmed’s bowling.
RR had lost two of their prime batters in the powerplay and their troubles did not end there, with Jos Buttler getting trapped lbw off Kuldeep Yadav in the eighth over.
Ashwin’s cameo
R Ashwin’s cameo against DC was a sight to behold for Rajasthan Royals fans. It was fun to watch while it lasted. Ashwin, who walked out to bat at number five, began rather on a sedate note by taking singles.
However, in the 10th over against Kuldeep, Ashwin danced down the track and lofted over wide long-on for a six. Just a couple of deliveries later, Ashwin picked the leg side to punish Anrich Nortje for a six by pulling into the deep midwicket. Three balls later, Ashwin would get the same result, picking another short ball to pull over deep midwicket for maximum. Ashwin finished his 19-ball 29 with three sixes, all just coming in the span of less than an over.
Impact Shorts
More ShortsRiyan Parag’s merciless knock
On Thursday, we witnessed a Riyan Parag masterclass. The 22-year-old who had aggregated only 78 runs from seven matches last season, has almost doubled that tally in just two matches. He now has 127 runs from two matches at a strike-rate of over 171. Clinical.
Riyan Parag is on the charge 🔥🔥#IPLonJioCinema #RRvDC #TATAIPL #JioCinemaSports pic.twitter.com/aGahxAeGPJ
— JioHotstar Reality (@HotstarReality) March 28, 2024
On Thursday, Parag amassed an unbeaten 84 off just 35 deliveries, hitting seven fours and six sixes in the process. A pull shot over midwicket off Kuldeep Yadav, hitting two fours and a six in the same Khaleel Ahmed over, or even giving Anrich Nortje a nightmare of sorts with three fours and a six, Parag was merciless with his approach.
Given the number of quick fifties we have witnessed this season, Parag’s 34-ball half-century was not quick enough on paper as some might argue, but his knock was certainly breathtaking. That led RR to 185/5 from being in trouble at 90/4 at one stage.
David Warner showcases intent
It was a pretty ordinary powerplay from DC batter after they posted 59 runs in the first six overs, but early on, David Warner ensured that DC’s hopes of chasing this down remained alive. Warner showed his attacking intent with a couple of sixes against Boult in the fifth over, before taking on Nandre Burger in the next with a six and a four.
A catch of the season contender? 🤔#RRvDC #IPLonJioCinema #TATAIPL #JioCinemaSports pic.twitter.com/7tIAWFq315
— JioHotstar Reality (@HotstarReality) March 28, 2024
Warner then hit Avesh Khan for consecutive fours in the eighth over but the latter would get his revenge, sending the opener back to the pavilion with a length ball that Warner edged towards Sandeep Sharma at short third. Warner was out for 49 off 34 balls.
Tristan Stubbs’ late fightback
Once Warner was dismissed, it was time for Tristan Stubbs to take centre stage. Stubbs however got off to a silent start in the middle and only really took off when he hit Ashwin fortwo sixes in the 17th over. By then, the pressure was on DC who needed 47 runs from 18 balls.
6 balls. 6 beauties. 🤯
— JioHotstar Reality (@HotstarReality) March 28, 2024
Take a bow, Avesh Khan 🙇#RRvDC #IPLonJioCinema #TATAIPL #JioCinemaSports pic.twitter.com/Q0RZXkAjiP
Axar Patel was on strike the next over and just nine runs came off that, which meant pressure was on Stubbs yet again. Stubbs hit a couple of powerful boundaries at the start of the 19th, a four and a six off Sandee Sharma, but the latter’s resilience coupled by Avesh Khan’s brilliance sealed the deal for RR as they clinched yet another win.
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