IPL 2018: RR bowlers hold nerves, defeat Delhi by 10 runs in rain-hit match

RR made 153-5 in 17.5 overs before rain came in

IPL 2018: In a ran hit match, Rajasthan Royals beat Delhi Daredevils by 10 runs under the D-L method. The revised target for Delhi was 71 from 36 balls. But Delhi batsmen could not clear the fence as they would have liked. Ben Lughlin was the pick of the bowler as he bowled clinical spells and took wickets.Put into bat first, Rajasthan Royals made 153-5 in 17.5 overs when rain struck. The shower was heavy and it consumed a lot of time for the ground staff to clear the puddles. The revised target for Delhi Daredevils is 71 from 6 overs. Here are the revised playing conditions:

Target 71, Powerplay of 2 overs and every bowler can bowl a maximum of 2 overs.Over 18: Shami back. Butler moves away, gives himself room and clears the fence for six. Not a good day for Shami. That was a treat to watch. Dot ball, onto the pads. Brilliant stuff from Shami, again onto the pads, saw Butler moving away. Well done. Butler moves across, tries to play it behind the wicket, ball hits the stumps.

Butler gone for 29 from 18. More importantly, that is 3 dot balls in a row in 18th over. Krishnappa Gowtham comes in. Shami bangs one short and it is wide. Gowtham flicks for 2 and covers are on the field. Rain comes pouring down. After 17.5 overs RR 1535Rajasthan Royals innings at a glance after 18 overs:Asked to bat first after Delhi Daredevils captain Gautam Gambhir won the toss, Ajinkya Rahane and D’Arcy Short opened the batting for Rajasthan Royals. In the first over Rajasthan Royals openers gave RR a decent start as they looked cautious of Trent Boult’s swinging deliveries. Shabaz Nadeem came in to bowl in the second over and was hit for a boundary off the very first ball. But Short’s shots were few and, like in the first match against SRH, he was rut out by Vijay Shanker’s direct hit while taking a second run off the second ball of the 2nd over. Ben stokes came to bat after Short’s dismissal. Boult gave away 5 runs in his second over as the bowl was swinging and it was hard for Stokes and Rahane to score big. Things weighing more in favour of Delhi Daredevils so far.

Chris Morris replaced Nadeem for the 4th over of the innings and he did not look as threating as Boult: He gave away 9 runs, including a six over the square, which was hit by Ben Stokes, in his over.However, a swinging Trent Boult delivery got rid of Stokes, who was looking good after his rusty innings against SRH, as Rishab Pant took a diving catch. Sanju Samson, who came to bat after the Stokes’ wicket, dispatched Boult for a four at point and a six over square leg in the 5th over the innings. Even though they lost Ben Stokes’ wicket, Delhi Daredevils gave away 15 runs. Samson looked in a good touch as he was timing the bowl well. After giving 9 runs in his first over, Chris Morris pulled it back a little for Delhi Daredevils and gave away 8 runs off his next.

Rajasthan Royals do not seem to be having any better luck than the first game, which they lost to Sunrisers Hyderabad by 9 wickets. So far, they have lost two quick wickets in the form of D’Arcy Short and Ben Stokes. As at the end of 10 overs, skipper Ajinkya Rahane is playing carefully, and Sanju Samson is going for the runs from the other end – together, are trying to building a partnership without risking much.After the end of powerplay, Rahane and Samson put up a good partnership to bring back Rajasthan Royals in the game after initial jitters. They had a 62-run partnership before Samson got bowled off Nadeem bowling in the 11th over of the inning. Samson’s wicket was a big blow for RR as he was looking good. Butler, who came to bat also looked good as he swept Tewatia for a four in the second ball he faced. While trying to accelerate, Rahane greeted Shami in his 2nd over with two boundaries. Rahane got out of Nadeem’s bowling as he tried to pull Nadeem and got a leading edge to point.

Tewatia who has been economical throughout innings gave away 9 runs as Rajasthan Royals looked desperate to score quick runs. Tewatia finished his final quota of over with a figure of 29 runs with no wickets.Rahul Tripathi greeted Chris Morris with a six over mid-wicket followed by Butler’s six over long on. Chris Morris leaked 18 runs as Rajasthan Royals came back into the game with a bang.Butler is in hitting mode as he brings 150 runs for Rajasthan Royals with a six over long off and putting Delhi under immence pressure.

But Shami pulled for Delhi as he got rid of dangerous Butler of the 4th ball of the 18th over. Butler scored 29 runs off 16 balls with a strike rate of 161.11.And the match is stopped due to rain Here are a few things you should know about the Rajasthan Royals vs Delhi Daredevils match being played at Sawai Man Singh Stadium in Jaipur, the two squads and what to expect from Match 6 of IPL 2018: Rahane on loss against Sunrisers Hyderabad and what needs to be done to escape defeat: Skipper Anjikya Rahane too would like to forget the outing where he failed with the bat, missed a sitter in slips and also gambled with batting only to see a complete rout of his team. "We thought on this wicket, 150-160 would have been ideal total because ball was doing the bit and medium pacers got good help. But, we didn't get that one partnership. I think we lost crucial wickets in between. Partnership was the key in between. I think foreigners who played, they are really good. D'Arcy Short, he did really well in Big Bash, did well for Australia recently, Joss Butler and Stokes, we all know how dangerous they are and Ben Laughlin is an experienced bowler in T20 cricket," Rahane said at the post-match press conference.How Delhi Daredevils played against Kings XI Punjab: Newly appointed captain Gautam Gambhir (55) led from the front but lacked support around him. Delhi's batting is not that strong either with lack of experieneced names effecting the middle order. Lokesh Rahul's 16-ball 55 -- fastest IPL fifty -- made matters worse for them but a cause of worry for Delhi is seamer Mohammed Shami going for a lot of runs as Delhi will want him to deliver alongwith New Zealand pacer Trent Boult. Delhi will start as favourites against Rajasthan but unlike their first match if the likes of in-form D'Arcy Short, Ben Stokes, Jos Buttler or Ben Laughlin fire on the morrow, it could well be Rajasthan's field day at home as all the players have reputation of turning the game around.

ARTICLE SOURCE- BUSINESS STANDARD.

IPL 2018: More than the fans I want to win the cup, says Virat Kohli

Virat Kohli believes that the current RCB side is 'one of the most balanced' teams they have had in the past few years and that it is a massive boost for him as a captain heading into the IPL 2018

 

Captain Virat Kohli on Wednesday said he remains as motivated and committed as ever to lead Royal Challengers Bangalore to a maiden Indian Premier League title, beginning April 7.

RCB have been the perennial under-achievers of the competition, failing to go all the way despite reaching the final thrice. It all went wrong for them last season when they finished last.

"More than the fans I want to win the cup. I have been with Bangalore for last 10 years and we haven't crossed the final hurdle three times. I can assure you, my commitment is going to be 120 per per cent to try and achieve the goal this time," said Kohli after a training session.

Kohli believes that the current RCB side is 'one of the most balanced' teams they have had in the past few years and that it is a massive boost for him as a captain heading into the IPL.

"Well, the auction has gone pretty well for us. I think we have one of the most balanced side we have had in many years. That pleases me a lot as a captain. We are not relying on one skill or the other. I think it is a great balance of spinners, fast bowlers, couple of all-rounders, spinning all-rounders, fast bowling all-rounders. Obviously, the batting has been a strong point for RCB over the years. But, I think the bowling department and strengthening of it has been a massive boost for us from this auction. Pretty optimistic about our chances heading into the IPL," Kohli said.

RCB have been short on batting firepower and Kohli feels this time the team has a good bowling line-up too.

"The batting has been strong point for RCB over the years, but I think the strengthening of bowling department has been a massive boost for us from this auction. I am very optimistic about our chances heading into this IPL," said the skipper.

The franchise has a solid spin department comprising Yuvzendra Chahal, Washington Sundar, M Ashwin, Pawan Negi and England all-rounder Moeen Ali. There are plenty of pace options too in the presence of Umesh Yadav, England all-rounder Chris Woakes, Delhi's Navdeep Saini, Mohammad Siraj and New Zealander Tim Southee.

The swashbuckling Indian batsman revealed that the RCB, this time around, have picked up players during the IPL Player auction in Bengaluru, keeping in mind their willingness to contribute to the side's team culture.

"The specialists have done good things for different teams around the world. That is something that we looked at as well before picking these players. Guys, who can contribute to our team culture, guys who are happy contributing on and off the field for the team throughout the IPL. Someone who are not worried about their personal performances as such. So, I think we have got a great bunch of people," Kohli said.

RCB are slated to begin their IPL campaign against Kolkata Knight Riders on April 8 at the Eden Gardens, Kolkata

Washington Sundar’s presence to give extra options to Kohli in powerplays: Chahal

Washington Sundar's presence in the Royal Challengers Bangalore fold will give skipper Virat Kohli more options during Powerplay and middle overs, feels star leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal.
Washington-Chahal forged a lethal combination during India's Nidahas T20 Tri-Series triumph in Sri Lanka last month.

"In Sri Lanka, Washington bowled in the Powerplay overs and I was bowling in the middle overs. In previous IPL seasons, I used to bowl in the Powerplays and was left only with two overs (during later stages). Now we have options. One can bowl in power play and can chip more in middle overs," Chahal said at media conference.

Wrist spinners are doing well but are always under the pump with a chance of going for a lot of runs at times. But the wiry leg-break bowler believes that a comeback is possible if one has a big heart.

"In this format, you are sure to get hit. For instance, in Nidahas Trophy, I was hit by Sri Lankans for 27 runs in two overs. I just told myself, you need to forget the past and make a strong comeback to pick wickets after being smashed," he said.

Bowling at the Chinnaswamy is baptism by fire and that has made him a more fearless competitor.

"When you play for India, you get more confidence because of bowling at Chinnaswamy. A spinner is always worried about short boundaries, but having bowled here, I don't fear bowling anywhere," he said.

The extremely short side boundaries of Chinnaswamy tests the mettle of best of slow bowlers.

"I have been a successful bowler at the Chinnaswamy for the past four years despite its short boundaries."

Chahal assessed that Chinnaswamy pitch this time is flatter compared to last season.

"Compared to last year, the strips at the Chinnaswamy are different. It looks much better. One can expect a couple of 200-plus totals. In fact, I prefer flat wickets, for it gives our batsmen a chance to post big totals," he said.

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