In a nail-biting finish at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium, the Rajasthan Royals held their nerve to secure a narrow 12-run victory over the Delhi Capitals. This win marks their second consecutive triumph and propels them to the coveted number two spot in the IPL standings.

Parag’s Power Propels Royals

Rajasthan set a challenging target of 186 runs, with the young Riyan Parag leading the charge. His unbeaten knock of 84 runs off just 45 balls, peppered with seven boundaries and a staggering six sixes, proved to be the backbone of their innings and a key factor in their victory. Valuable contributions from seasoned campaigners Ravichandran Ashwin (29 runs) and Dhruv Jurel (20 runs) further bolstered the Royals’ total.

Capitals Falter Despite Warner’s Heroics

Delhi’s chase started brightly, with David Warner (49 runs) leading. However, a middle-order collapse saw wickets fall regularly, derailing their momentum. A valiant 44-run knock from Tristan Stubbs provided a glimmer of hope, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the Royals’ bowling attack. The Capitals’ struggle to maintain their momentum was evident throughout the match.

Bowling Blitz Seals the Deal

Rajasthan’s bowlers displayed exceptional composure, particularly in the death overs. Nandre Burger and Yuzvendra Chahal each picked up two wickets, stifling the Delhi batsmen’s free flow of runs. Avesh Khan, with a crucial wicket in the final over, ensured the Royals crossed the finish line victorious.

Capitals Left Searching for Answers

This defeat marks Delhi’s second consecutive loss following their opening match setback against Punjab Kings Saag. Captain Rishabh Pant and his team must find solutions quickly to avoid a losing streak in the young IPL season.