New Delhi:
The downpour continued unabated, offering neither relief nor respite to either Delhi Capitals (DC) nor Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH). Despite their predicaments, the elements remained indifferent. This washed-out match led to SRH’s elimination from contention for playoffs, whereas DC suffered significantly due to the inconclusive result when victory was crucially within reach.
Each team was awarded one point. This moves DC to 13 points (fifth place), while SRH now has seven points.
Considering DC managed only 133/7, it wasn’t their poorest performance, yet they surely aimed higher. In contrast, SRH’s campaign, which started with such high expectations, concluded disappointingly.
Pat Cummins, the leader of SRH, opted to field first against DC (which began the match ranked fifth in the standings) on what was anticipated to be a high-scoring wicket in Hyderabad.
It seemed like a choice made based on a batting lineup that appeared, at least on paper, strong enough to chase down virtually any score. However, it quickly became evident that this match was filled with reminiscence and sentimentality.
Karun Nair, who opened the batting for DC, was dismissed on the very first delivery. He went after a wide ball outside the off-stump bowled by Cummins and edged it to the wicketkeeper.
After scoring only three runs, Faf du Plessis departed, followed by Abhishek Porel adding just eight runs, and Axar Patel falling for four in the Powerplay as well. By the conclusion of the sixth over, DC had reached 26/4 – their second-lowest Powerplay total this season.
Cummins excelled during this early stage. He conceded only 12 runs off his three overs and claimed three wickets. A remarkable 72% of the deliveries he bowled resulted in dot balls. To top it all off, he also held the catch that dismissed Axar.
Handing out small totals while also claiming wickets – this harked back to the older Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) squads, which established their legacy based on the prowess of their bowlers rather than relying solely on batting performances like the recent editions tend to do. From 2015 through 2021, SRH excelled in maintaining low economy rates, thanks largely to leaders such as Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Rashid Khan. During those years, they boasted the top economy rate in a single season thrice and secured second or third place in that category twice more.
In a campaign where their batting has consistently let them down, SRH would have appreciated having a bowling unit capable of securing several crucial victories for them.
What stands out for Royal Challengers Bangalore, Punjab Kings, Mumbai Indians, and Gujarat Titans (the top teams) is their ability to strike an excellent equilibrium between batting and bowling. This balanced strategy can lead to remarkable success or complete failure, as seen with Sunrisers Hyderabad. Perhaps something to consider heading into the following season.
At the ten-over point, DC had reached 47/5. The score reflects the difficulty they faced, as none of the batters seemed at ease during their time in the middle.
The situation deteriorated further when Vipraj Nigam was dismissed, leaving both batsmen stranded at the same crease. However, this is when Tristan Stubbs (41* off 36) and Ashutosh (41 off 26) joined forces, combining for an impressive partnership of 66 runs for the seventh wicket.
This enabled DC to finish with a score of 133/7 after completing their 20 overs. While not an exceptional total, it far surpassed what they could have anticipated midway through their innings. The smallest total that DC has successfully defended in the IPL history stands at 130 against GT back in 2023.
Nevertheless, all those factors were irrelevant because the rain ultimately made the decision.
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Sazua.com
