Gujarat Titans headed to New Delhi on Wednesday to play the Delhi Capitals, the host team, at the Arun Jaitley Stadium. The Titans entered the game having triumphed over the Punjab Kings at Mullanpur Stadium in their last encounter.
Rishabh Pant was somewhat relieved when Shubman Gill, who had won the toss, decided to bowl first. Shai Hope replaced David Warner in one of the home team’s two changes. The Titans started the game unaltered, with Sumit Kumar taking Lalit Yadav’s spot.
Powerplay: Mandatory: 44/3, Overs 0.1 to 6.
The boundaries continued pouring as Prithvi Shaw and Jake Fraser-McGurk got off to another quick start. In the span of four deliveries, Sandeep Warrier dismissed both of the opening batsmen before taking Shai Hope for his third wicket.
50 runs in 7.1 overs for Delhi Capitals
It was up to Rishabh Pant and Axar Patel to come to the rescue as three early wickets fell. With a boundary off Azmatullah Omarzai, the 30-year-old spin bowler gave the home team something to celebrate.
First Strategic time-out for Delhi Capitals (68/3 after 9 overs)
Shubman Gill chose to exert simultaneous pressure on Noor Ahmad and Rashid Khan. To put pressure on the Titans spin combo, Axar Patel and Rishabh Pant both chose to use the long handle.
Delhi Capitals: in 11.4 overs, 100 runs scored
The aggressive course was chosen by Rishabh Pant and Axar Patel, as they chose to fight fire with fire. To push the score above the three-figure threshold, the duo extended their arms and effortlessly hammered fours and sixes.
Also read: Why is David Warner not participating in DC vs. GT, Match 40 of the IPL 2024?
Axar Patel off 37 balls at half-century
Sending Axar Patel to bat at number three for the Delhi Capitals paid off handsomely. Fans were ecstatic when the 30-year-old all-rounder hit a four off Rashid Khan to reach his first half-century of the season.
Second Strategic Time-Out for Delhi Capitals (143/3 from 16 overs)
The visitors’ only successes came from the three wickets that Sandeep Warrier took at the beginning of the innings. The Gujarat Titans batters appeared listless, and both Axar Patel and Rishabh Pant punished them.
Half-Century: 34 balls, Rishabh Pant
At 66 runs from 43 balls, Noor Ahmad claimed the crucial wicket of Axar Patel. With a massive six off Mohit Sharma to reach his half-century, Rishabh Pant enthralled the Delhi audience.
Delhi Capitals: 222/4 from 20 overs at the end of the innings
The 19th over of the innings saw the introduction of R Sai Kishore, who was promptly hit for 22 runs. Rishabh Pant finished his innings at 88, not out from 43 balls, as Mohit Sharma’s final over produced 31 runs.
India
