After five matches without a win, including two washouts, Rajasthan Royals returned to the top of the IPL thanks to a 14-run victory over an improving Delhi Daredevils side. Their presence in the end-of-season play-offs is a virtual certainty. For this they can thank Ajinkya Rahane, the competition’s leading scorer constructing yet another beautiful innings of touch and composure. He carried his bat for 91, made from 54 balls.
JP Duminy, Delhi’s captain, won the toss and opted to bowl – a reasonable decision that soon looked an error, with Rahane and Shane Watson putting on 52 for the first wicket in 6.5 overs. Watson was then caught behind off the bowling of Angelo Mathews as he looked to up the pace but this simply inflicted Karun Nair on the visitors. His 61 was an innings of skill, power and character, his partnership with Rahane worth 113 from 69 balls to set a total of 189 for two, which always looked a likely winner.
However, Rajasthan were also helped by some abject fielding. Both Rahane and Nair were dropped in the thirties, relatively simple chances spilled by Gurinder Sandhu and Saurabh Tiwary respectively, while Delhi’s outfielding was similarly ragged.
The Daredevils struggled hard in response but lost a wicket each time they appeared set to challenge. Duminy did his best, crafting 56 from 39 balls, but he needed either Yuvraj Singh or Mathews to stay with him for longer than the 18 and 17 deliveries that each managed. Credit, though, must go to Watson who, reading the pitch better than his opposite number, used only pace bowlers; his side is not only well-balanced but always appears to have a plan that it is primed to execute. It is this that makes the Royals a decent bet to become champions again.
