| 0.0 : Woohoo! Final weekend of the league stage of the Indian T20 League! Into the business end we enter where we still have four teams eyeing for that one spot to make it to the playoffs. One team of those four is playing right now - Rajasthan. A win for them means that they are alive while a win for Delhi means they are in contention for the top 2 spots. Ignore the mathematical computations for now. Let us focus on just cricket. Hello and a warm welcome to Game 53 of the Indian T20 League where Delh |
| Well, the reason we said ignore mathematical computations is because we do not want you to get confused. For instance, if Rajasthan lose, they are out. But if they are in, they need Hyderabad, Punjab and Kolkata to lose! Similarly, if Delhi lose, they will end up in third place. But if they win, they will hope that Mumbai or Chennai lose tomorrow so that the capital side can finish in the top 2! Phew! Is it not better to keep the maths textbook at a home on a Saturday? |
| WEATHER - It is May. And it is hot. It is a day game anyway. God help the players in this scorching heat. Forget the pitch, they might just want to bat first just to escape the heat. |
| PITCH REPORT - Graeme Swann doing the pitch report observes that there is hardly any blade of grass on it. Predicts that it will be a spinner's paradise. Also says that it is not going to bounce and feels 160 is a defendable total here. |
| TOSS - We are all in readiness for the spin of the coin. The two captains and the match referee are ready. Shreyas Iyer flips it up, Heads is the call from Ajinkya Rahane and it comes down as Heads. RAJASTHAN ELECT TO BAT FIRST. |
| Rajasthan skipper, Ajinkya Rahane, says the reason to bat first is because the pitch looks dry and he is not sure how it will play. Feels the pitch might get slow as the game progresses. On captaincy, Jinx says that for him it is just about thinking about the team though feels that Steven Smith would be a good choice to lead the side. Informs Ish Sodhi and Krishnappa Gowtham come in place of Steven Smith and Jaydev Unadkat. He says that the guys playing in the XI have the opportunity and it is j |
| Delhi captain, Shreyas Iyer, says it is an important game and they are gonna think the same way. Adds that the team will play every match as a knockout from here on. Feels that the batsmen love to bat on good bouncy wickets and the pitch here in Delhi has been slow and they did not expect it. However, he hastily adds that they cannot be giving such excuses as they are all professionals. Ends by saying that Keemo Paul and Ishant Sharma come in place of Jagadeesha Suchith and Chris Morris. |
| Rajasthan Playing XI - Sanju Samson (WK), Liam Livingstone, Ajinkya Rahane (C), Riyan Parag, Stuart Binny, Mahipal Lomror, Krishnappa Gowtham (IN for Jaydev Unadkat), Shreyas Gopal, Ish Sodhi (IN for Steven Smith), Varun Aaron, Oshane Thomas. |
| Delhi Playing XI - Prithvi Shaw, Shikhar Dhawan, Shreyas Iyer (C), Rishabh Pant (WK), Colin Ingram, Sherfane Rutherford, Keemo Paul (IN for Chris Morris), Axar Patel, Amit Mishra, Ishant Sharma (IN for Jagadeesha Suchith), Trent Boult. |
| We are all set for play to begin. The umpires are out in the middle. The Delhi players are in a hurdle before they take their positions in the field. Rajasthan skipper, Ajinkya Rahane and Liam Livingstone walk out to the middle to open the innings. The new ball is in the hands of Trent Boult for Delhi. |
| 0.1 : T Boult to A Rahane, Hint of swing straightaway for Boult. It is on the pads though, Rahane flicks it towards square leg and gets Rajasthan underway. |
| 0.2 : T Boult to L Livingstone, Full around off, Livingstone strokes it towards mid off and takes a quick single. The fielder there misfields which allows them to complete the single with relative ease. |
| STAT ALERT - Ajinkya Rahane becomes the first player to feature in 100 League games for the Rajasthan franchise! Can he make this game memorable for him and his team? |
| 0.3 : T Boult to A Rahane, Good length ball outside off, Rahane runs it down to third man for a single. |
| 0.4 : T Boult to L Livingstone, Length ball around off, Livingstone defends it towards point. |
| 0.5 : T Boult to L Livingstone, Good bowling. Cramps the room for Livingstone and bowls it full on middle and leg, Liam pushes it to mid off. |
| 0.6 : T Boult to L Livingstone, Tight start from Boult. Just 4 runs off the first over. Length ball on the pads, Liam flicks it to the on side and keeps the strike. |
| Ishant Sharma to bowl from the other end. |
| 1.1 : I Sharma to L Livingstone, Good start. Length ball outside off, it is keeps straight. Liam looks to run it down to point but misses. |
| 1.2 : I Sharma to L Livingstone, This one keeps low. Pitching outside off on a length, Livingstone looks to once again push it on the off side but misses. |
| 1.3 : I Sharma to L Livingstone, SIX! First maximum of the innings. Livingstone connects this time and this one goes over the ropes. Full on off, Livingstone comes down the track and heaves it over mid-wicket for a maximum. This will give Livingstone some confidence. |
| 1.4 : I Sharma to L Livingstone, Good length ball on off, this one comes in to Liam. He tucks it to the on side and follows the six with a single. |
| 1.5 : I Sharma to A Rahane, Length ball on the stumps, Rahane taps it back to the bowler. |
| 1.6 : I Sharma to A Rahane, OUT! Rahane departs. Ishant strikes in his very first over. Rahane does not stay long in this must-win battle for Rajasthan. Good length ball on the pads, Rahane looks to flick it but he is early in his shot and the ball flies to deep square leg. Shikhar Dhawan stationed there takes a good catch coming in. Not the kind of start Rajasthan would have wanted but it is the perfect start for Delhi. |
| Sanju Samson walks in at number 3, replacing his captain. |
| 2.1 : T Boult to S Samson, Outside off, on a length, dabbed towards third man for a single. |
| 2.2 : T Boult to L Livingstone, Hmmm... got squared up there. Full and around off, swinging in, Livingstone looked to defend but at the last moment, the ball shaped away and went off the leading edge towards point. |
| Direct hit! No one is celebrating and everyone has got to their positions. But the umpire wants to be safe and has referred it upstairs. |
| 2.3 : T Boult to L Livingstone, SAFE AS A HOUSE. No wonder no one appealed. Full and outside off, Livingstone pushed it towards mid off and set off for a quick single. Shreyas Iyer fielded it at mid off and had a shy at the non-striker's end and hit the stumps down but did not appeal. The umpire referred it upstairs, just to be sure and replays showed that no harm was done. |
| 2.4 : T Boult to S Samson, WIDE! Has to reload that again. Slower one but Boult nmisses his line and it is down the leg side. Wide signalled. |
| T Boult to S Samson, Good length ball on middle and leg, Samson looks to pull it but gets an inside edge on to the body which lobs and falls beside the pitch |
| 2.5 : T Boult to S Samson, Length ball outside off Samson taps it to backward point. |
| 2.6 : T Boult to S Samson, Full on off, Samson strokes it to mid off and takes a quick single to keep the strike. |
| 3.1 : I Sharma to S Samson, Outside off, dabbed towards third man. He wants a single but is sent back. |
| 3.2 : I Sharma to S Samson, Back of a length ball on the body, Samson pulls it wide of short fine leg for a single. |
| 3.3 : I Sharma to L Livingstone, FOUR! In the air but it falls just wide of the fielder. Good length ball on middle, Livingstone comes down the track and looks to hit it over mid on. But the lack of pace on the ball sees it come off Liam's lower half of the bat. The fielder at mid on dives to his left but cannot get there and it goes past him for a boundary. |
| 3.4 : I Sharma to L Livingstone, Back of a length ball on the stumps, Liam blocks it off his back foot. |
| 3.5 : I Sharma to L Livingstone, OUT! The off cutter does the trick and Ishant has the last laugh. Good length ball on middle, Ishant rolls his fingers on it before delivering it. Livingstone comes down the track once again to hit it over the bowler but gets beaten by the lack of pace and inward movement on it. He misses and the ball goes onto hit the top of leg stump. Rajasthan lose their second wicket and they are in trouble now. |
| Mahipal Lomror is the new man in at number 4, replacing Livingstone. |
| 3.6 : I Sharma to M Lomror, FOUR! Excellent way to get off the mark. Ishant bowls a poor delivery after the wicket and bowls it on the pads, Lomror flicks it through backward square leg for a boundary. |
| 4.1 : A Patel to S Samson, In the air... safe! This pitch is certainly not the easiest for batting. Full and around middle, Samson looks to go over mid on but the ball comes on slowly, takes the inner half of the bat and lobs over mid-wicket. Deep mid-wicket and mid on get around and Colin Ingram from mid on runs to his right, slides and stops the ball. Two runs taken. |
| 4.2 : A Patel to S Samson, OUT! Mix-up and run out! Communication breakdown here. Full and outside off, Samson pushes it towards cover and sets off. Now, initially, he says no. But then Lomror calls him for the run. Now, Samson trusts him and starts running. But Mahipal sells him a dummy down the river and does not run at all! Poor Samson has nowhere to go as he is almost within handshaking distance. Prithvi Shaw returns a direct hit at the striker's end and Pant has nothing to do there. |
| The new man in is Shreyas Gopal. |
| 4.3 : A Patel to S Gopal, Flighted ball on middle and leg, Gopal blocks it. |
| 4.4 : A Patel to S Gopal, Tossed up on off, it spins away after pitching. Gopal gets behind it and defends it. |
| 4.5 : A Patel to S Gopal, On the pads, Gopal looks to flick it but gets a feather on it and onto his thigh pads. |
| 4.6 : A Patel to S Gopal, Outside off, Gopal cuts it from the stumps towards cover. |
| 5.1 : I Sharma to M Lomror, FOUR! Full length ball on off, Lomror runs it down fine of third man for a boundary. Rajasthan need him to play a big innings here. |
| 5.2 : I Sharma to M Lomror, OUT! Commentator's curse this. Just when I wrote Lomror needs to play a big innings, he departs on the very next ball. Rajasthan are now in deep trouble here. Good length ball outside off, Lomror looks to cut it but gets a thick outside edge to Pant behind the stumps. He takes an easy catch behind the stumps. A very unnecessary shot this from Lomror. He had got the boundary in the previous ball, he should have played himself in. Rajasthan lose their fourth inside the P |
| Riyan Parag walks in at number 6, replacing Lomror. |
| 5.3 : I Sharma to R Parag, Full and down the leg side, Parag misses his flick. Surprisingly, no wide signalled. |
| 5.4 : I Sharma to R Parag, Outside off, punched towards cover. |
| 5.5 : I Sharma to R Parag, Around off, solidly defended. |
| 5.6 : I Sharma to R Parag, Good length ball outside off. This one too stays low, Parag does well to stroke it to the man at cover. Rajasthan are 30/4 at the end of Powerplay. |
| Axar Patel into the attack. |
| 6.1 : A Patel to S Gopal, Shorter around off, Gopal cuts it towards backward point and takes a single. The fielder there dives to his right but cannot stop the single. |
| 6.2 : A Patel to R Parag, Tossed up on off, Parag blocks it. |
| 6.3 : A Patel to R Parag, Shorter on off, Parag punches it to the off side and gets off the mark. |
| 6.4 : A Patel to S Gopal, On the pads, Gopal flicks it towards fine leg and rotates the strike. |
| 6.5 : A Patel to R Parag, Shorter on middle and leg, Parag milks it to long on and takes a run. |
| 6.6 : A Patel to S Gopal, Around off, Gopal slaps it to point and keeps the strike. |
| Amit Mishra is introduced into the attack. |
| 7.1 : A Mishra to S Gopal, Starts with a floated delivery on off, Gopal pushes it towards cover and takes a single. |
| 7.2 : A Mishra to R Parag, On the pads, Parag tucks it to the on side and gets a single. |
| 7.3 : A Mishra to S Gopal, In the air...but safe. Tossed up delivery on middle, Gopal goes for the big sweep. He does not time it well and it falls in no man's land at deep backward square leg for a couple. |
| 7.4 : A Mishra to S Gopal, Floated on off, Gopal strokes it through mid off for a single. |
| 7.5 : A Mishra to R Parag, FOUR! That is absolutely smashed. Full and outside off, Parag reaches out and drags the sweep through mid-wicket. |
| 7.6 : A Mishra to R Parag, Outside off, pushed towards point. |
| Kemo Paul is introduced into the attack. |
| 8.1 : K Paul to S Gopal, Starts with an excellent yorker on middle and leg, Gopal cannot do much but just jam it out. He is lucky though as the ball was going back after he jammed it out but missed the leg stump. |
| 8.2 : K Paul to S Gopal, Back of a length ball, Gopal flicks it towards mid-wicket and gets a single. |
| 8.3 : K Paul to R Parag, FOUR! Smacked and smacked hard. Full on off, Parag slaps it past the bowler through mid off for a boundary. |
| 8.4 : K Paul to R Parag, Now a solid defense. Good length ball on the stumps, Parag blocks it with straight bat. |
| 8.5 : K Paul to R Parag, 50 comes up for Rajasthan. They have struggled to reach here but they have got there. These two need to carry on the work now. Good length ball on off, Parag plays it to point to get a single. |
| 8.6 : K Paul to S Gopal, Length ball outside off, Gopal runs it down to third man and keeps the strike. |
| STRATEGIC BREAK. Clearly, Delhi are on top here. They have scalped four wickets and they will now look to end this budding partnership after the break. Rajasthan meanwhile will be hoping these two can play a big innings here and stabalise their innings. |
| 9.1 : A Mishra to S Gopal, Leg spinner on the pads, Gopal flicks it to fine leg and gets a single. |
| 9.2 : A Mishra to R Parag, Tossed up on off, Parag milks it to long off and rotates the strike. |
| 9.3 : A Mishra to S Gopal, Good sweep but just a run. Floated on off, Gopal sweeps it to deep mid-wicket and gets to the other end. |
| 9.4 : A Mishra to R Parag, Straighter outside off, Parag offer no shot to it and lets it go. |
| 9.5 : A Mishra to R Parag, Flatter on off, Parag blocks it towards point. |
| 9.6 : A Mishra to R Parag, On the pads, Parag flicks it to square leg and keeps the strike. Rajasthan need a big over. |
| 10.1 : K Paul to R Parag, Good length ball on off, it keeps low after pitching. Parag manages to guide it to backward point. |
| 10.2 : K Paul to R Parag, Well bowled. Full outside off, it keeps low once again and comes in a bit after pitching. Parag walks down the track and looks to drive it but gets beaten. |
| 10.3 : K Paul to R Parag, Full on off, Parag taps it back to the bowler. |
| 10.4 : K Paul to R Parag, Full on middle and leg, Parag flicks it to deep mid-wicket and gets to the other end. |
| 10.5 : K Paul to S Gopal, Full on off, Gopal slaps it to long on but gets only a run. |
| 10.6 : K Paul to R Parag, Length ball outside off, Parag flat bats it straight to the man at cover. Another boundary-less over for Rajasthan. |
| 11.1 : A Mishra to S Gopal, Huge appeal for lbw turned down. Flighted outside off, Gopal looks to play the reverse sweep but does not connect and gets hit on the pads. Mishra asks the question but the umpire is unmoved. It looked like the impact was outside. |
| 11.2 : A Mishra to S Gopal, OUT! Stumped! Half the side is back in the hut for Rajasthan. Mishra gets his first. A really nice tossed up delivery outside off from Mishra. Gopal comes down the track and looks to hit it on the off side but misses. Pant behind the stumps gathers the ball and takes the bails off. Gopal is way down the track and there is no need to go upstairs. |
| Stuart Binny walks in at number 7, replacing Gopal. |
| 11.3 : A Mishra to S Binny, OUT! Gone first ball! Pant has taken a nice catch and Binny is gone for a first-baller. Full and outside off, this is the leg spinner, Binny stretches out to defend but the ball takes a thin outside edge behind. Oh boy, Mishy boy is on a hat-trick. How many times have we seen this before in the Indian T20 League? |
| Krishnappa Gowtham walks in at number 8, replacing Binny. He will face the hat-trick ball. Two slips in place for the hat-trick ball. |
| 11.4 : A Mishra to K Gowtham, DROPPED! Trent Boult costs Mishra another hat-trick. The spinner has his hands over his head. Full and outside off, Gowtham looks to go for a slog but gets a top edge. The ball goes high in the air and Trent Boult rushes to his left from mid on. But he misjudges it, loses it halfway and in the end, he dives. But drops it. |
| 11.5 : A Mishra to R Parag, Full and around off, watchfully defended. |
| 11.6 : A Mishra to R Parag, Floated outside off, Parag looks to defend but misses. End of an excellent over from Mishra. 2 wickets and just a run off it. Top class stuff from the leggie. |
| 12.1 : A Patel to K Gowtham, Full and outside off, driven through mid off for a single. |
| 12.2 : A Patel to R Parag, The batsman has punched the ball off the back foot. |
| 12.3 : A Patel to R Parag, Outside off, punched off the back foot for a run. |
| 12.4 : A Patel to K Gowtham, FOUR! A rare boundary for the visitors. Short and outside off, Gowtham goes back and pulls it over mid-wicket for a boundary. |
| 12.5 : A Patel to K Gowtham, Around middle, pushed back to the bowler. |
| 12.6 : A Patel to K Gowtham, Outside off, driven straight back to the bowler. |
| 13.1 : A Mishra to R Parag, Full on middle, heaved through mid-wicket for a single. |
| 13.2 : A Mishra to K Gowtham, OUT! Taken in the deep! Another loose shot from a Rajasthan player. Full and outside off, Gowtham comes down the track and looks to go over the top but is not to the pitch of the ball. Does not connect it at all and finds Ishant Sharma at long off. Third wicket for Mishra. |
| Varun Aaron walks in at number 9, replacing Gowtham. |
| 13.3 : A Mishra to Ish Sodhi, Short and outside off, cut straight to point. |
| 13.4 : A Mishra to Ish Sodhi, Full and around off, Sodhi gets across and looks to paddle but gets a top edge. First slip runs back and tries to catch it, Iyer it is, but he cannot reach the ball. A run taken. |
| 13.5 : A Mishra to R Parag, Full and around off, worked through mid-wicket. |
| 13.6 : A Mishra to R Parag, A short ball, outside off, Parag pulls it towards long on for a run. |
| STRATEGIC BREAK. Rajasthan are in all sorts of bother. That is an understatement. And poor shot selection is not helping them. This is not a 200-pitch, may not be even a 150. But they at least need to get to 120, don't they? |
| 14.1 : A Patel to R Parag, Short and outside off, cut through point for a single. |
| 14.2 : A Patel to Ish Sodhi, Beaten all ends up. Landed outside off, Sodhi plays inside the line and looks to defend but misses. |
| 14.3 : A Patel to Ish Sodhi, Around off, worked through mid-wicket for a run. |
| 14.4 : A Patel to R Parag, Full on middle, worked through mid-wicket for one more. |
| 14.5 : A Patel to Ish Sodhi, Fired in outside off, Sodhi looks to run it down to third man but misses. |
| 14.6 : A Patel to Ish Sodhi, Around off, watchfully pushed towards mid on. |
| Keemo Paul returns. 2-0-9-0 so far. |
| 15.1 : K Paul to R Parag, A short ball outside off, Parag looks to work it across to the leg side but misses and is hit on the pads. |
| 15.2 : K Paul to R Parag, Works this through mid-wicket for a single. |
| 15.3 : K Paul to Ish Sodhi, Nice shot, but poor running. A short ball, outside off, Sodhi stands tall and pulls it towards wide long on for a run. |
| 15.4 : K Paul to R Parag, WIDE. Teases the guideline, bowls it full but outside the line outside off. Riyan lets it go. |
| K Paul to R Parag, Outside off, RP mistimes it towards cover. |
| 15.5 : K Paul to R Parag, Outside off, Parag mistimes his pull towards long off. |
| What happened there? Paul was already through his run-up but the striker was not ready. Paul has to go back and reload. |
| 15.6 : K Paul to Ish Sodhi, On middle, pushed down to long on for a run. |
| Ishant Sharma again. 3-0-20-3 so far. |
| 16.1 : I Sharma to Ish Sodhi, Around middle and off, worked through mid-wicket for a single. |
| 16.2 : I Sharma to R Parag, A wide and a run. A rare little bonus that has geen gifted by Delhi today. A slower ball, down the leg side, Sodhi misses his flick and Pant is not quite able to stop it with the ball bouncing in front of him. He lets it go and the batsmen take a run. |
| I Sharma to Ish Sodhi, ANOTHER WIDE. Another bonus. Down the leg side again, this is even further than Pant and he cannot cut it off. Trent Boult runs behind from short fine leg and keeps the batsmen to a couple. |
| I Sharma to Ish Sodhi, A short ball, outside off, Ish pulls it over mid-wicket for one. |
| 16.3 : I Sharma to R Parag, FOUR! Terrific shot but this is turning out to be an indifferent over from Ishant. 11 from it already. A short ball, down the leg side, Parag swivels and pulls it over short fine leg! |
| 16.4 : I Sharma to R Parag, FOUR MORE! Nice batting from this youngster. A length ball outside off, Parag reaches out and lofts it over cover for a boundary! |
| 16.5 : I Sharma to R Parag, Very good game awareness from RP. Understands that there are two boundaries which have already been scored in this over, so quietly works it with soft hands through mid-wicket and gets a couple. |
| Trent Boult returns. 2-0-8-0 so far. |
| 16.6 : I Sharma to R Parag, On middle and leg, Parag looks to flick but misses and is hit on the pads. The batsmen scamper through for a single as the ball goes behind the wickets. A run is taken. No signal, so must have been an inside edge. |
| 17.1 : T Boult to R Parag, Wide! Has to reload. Good length ball down the leg side, Parag looks to pull it but misses. Wide signalled. |
| T Boult to R Parag, Good length ball on off, Parag strokes it to cover and takes a single. |
| 17.2 : T Boult to Ish Sodhi, OUT! Boult gets into the wickets column now. Full length ball on off, Sodhi looks to drive it but the bat turns in his hand. The ball goes towards cover. Amit Mishra, yes Amit Mishra dives sideways to his left and takes a good catch. Yes, Boult dropped a catch when Mishra was on a hat-trick but Mishra does not make that mistake. |
| Varun Aaron is the next man in. |
| 17.3 : T Boult to V Aaron, Outside off, played straight to point. |
| 17.4 : T Boult to V Aaron, Works this through square leg for a single. |
| 17.5 : T Boult to R Parag, Chipped in the air but lands short. Full on middle, Parag swings it towards long on where the fielder comes running in but the ball lands short. The ball goes off his legs behind but the batsmen are content with just a single. |
| 17.6 : T Boult to V Aaron, Yorker outside off, Varun looks to drive but misses. |
| Keemo Paul to bowl the 19th over. |
| 18.1 : K Paul to R Parag, In the air but safe. Full toss on off, Parag hits it over mid on but cannot get under the full toss. The ball falls short of long on and they get a single. |
| 0.0 : Keemo Paul is having some issues with his feet. He is in discomfort and his skipper, Shreyas Iyer is having a chat with him. Let's hope he is fine to continue. Nope. PAUL IS WALKING OFF. |
| Sherfane Rutherford to continue the pending over. |
| 18.2 : S Rutherford to V Aaron, Fuller delivery around off, Aaron strokes it towards cover for a single. |
| 18.3 : S Rutherford to R Parag, Full on off, Parag hits it hard but straight to long on. Parag does not take the single though. |
| 18.4 : S Rutherford to R Parag, DROPPED! Tough chance though. Good length ball on off, Parag slaps it hard straight back towards the bowler. It goes uppishly towards Rutherford but he cannot grab it and it goes towards mid off after hitting his hand. This time they take a single. |
| 18.5 : S Rutherford to V Aaron, Slower delivery on a length, Aaron swings his bat at it but misses. |
| 18.6 : S Rutherford to V Aaron, Good length ball on off, Aaron strokes it to cover. |
| STAT ALERT - Riyan Parag (when on 36*) - Averages more (his is 36.50) than Rahane (32.75), Samson (34.20), Tripathi (23.50) and Stokes (20.50). Has a better econ (his is 8.23) than Kulkarni (9.57), Stokes (11.22) and Unadkat (10.66). HE'S 17!!! |
| Trent Boult to bowl the final over. |
| 19.1 : T Boult to R Parag, SIX! First six in the innings for Parag. Full on off, Parag gets under it and smacks it over long off for a maximum. Not the start Boult would have wanted. Can Rajasthan get to 120 from here? |
| 19.2 : T Boult to R Parag, Good length ball on off, Parag slaps it to long off and gets a single. |
| 19.3 : T Boult to V Aaron, Full on off, Aaron plays it to long off and gets to the other end. |
| 19.4 : T Boult to R Parag, SIX! Fifty for Riyan Parag. Take a bow young man. He has showed class and maturity and played a gem of a knock. He becomes the youngest batsman to score fifty in the league. It has come at a time his team needed. Full on middle, Parag gets under the ball and heaves it over mid-wicket to get to his milestone. |
| 19.5 : T Boult to R Parag, WIDE. Miles outside off, Riyan lets it go. Pant has to dive to his right to stop the ball. |
| T Boult to R Parag, Wide not signalled. Full and well outside the guidelines outside off, RP has to almost dive and try to hit that but misses. But umpire Ian Gould does not signal a wide, indicating to Parag that he was close to hitting the ball. Boult is lucky. |
| 19.6 : T Boult to R Parag, OUT! Parag holes out but what a knock this has been. He has given his side something to bowl at. Rajasthan were losing wickets from one end but Parag held his end and played a great knock here. Full around off, Parag looks to go over long off but does not time it well and it goes straight to the man there. Sherfane Rutherford settles under it and takes the catch. RAJASTHAN FINISH WITH 115/9 OFF THEIR 20 OVERS. |
| 115...ummm... that is some sort of a total posted by Rajasthan. Cannot say that it is match-winning but this might test the home side. It will be interesting to see the game, if Delhi are indeed stretched. |
| When a team takes 9 wickets in 120 legal balls, normally, it is a good effort overall. Look at the strike rate - just a shade over 13. And indeed, a look at the scorecard confirms that. Only Axar and Paul were wicketless (if you were to exclude Rutherford who bowled just 5 balls) while only Ishant was expensive. He ended up taking 3 wickets. But the pick of the bowlers was Amit Mishra, whose 3/17 rocked Rajasthan hard. He would have got a hat-trick as well but Trent Boult denied that chance to h |
| A young guy aged 17 has scored 40 percent of the team's runs. That speaks volumes about his talent. But that also speaks volumes about how poor the batting was. The pitch was difficult to bat on, no doubt but the shot selection was way too poor. Only Riyan Parag showed some patience and skill but he did not get much support. |
| Ishant Sharma is caught down for a chat with Matthew Hayden. Ishant says it was a good performance after losing the last game and they just took the positives from there. On the net run rate, Ishant says if they go out and win the game convincingly then they don't need to worry about the run rate. He says they were just looking to play according to the pitch. On his variations Ishant says that it is good that those variations are coming off. |
| 116 to win. Rahane has his team in a huddle. Can his bowlers produce an inspiring performance? The run chase is about to begin... |
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