In a thrilling doubleheader on Sunday, Wanindu Hasaranga and Mitchell Starc delivered match-winning performances as Rajasthan Royals edged past Chennai Super Kings by six runs, while Delhi Capitals cruised to a seven-wicket victory over Sunrisers Hyderabad.
Hasaranga dents CSK's chase
Rajasthan Royals held their nerve to defend 182/9, thanks to Hasaranga’s brilliant 4/35. Chennai Super Kings skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad fought hard with a 44-ball 63, but Hasaranga’s relentless strikes derailed the chase, restricting CSK to 176/6.
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Despite late fireworks from Ravindra Jadeja (32* off 22) and MS Dhoni (16 off 11), CSK fell short. Dhoni’s six and a four in the 19th over gave them hope, but with 20 needed in the final over, Sandeep Sharma conceded only 13, dismissing Dhoni with a stunning Shimron Hetmyer catch to seal RR’s win.
Earlier, Nitish Rana’s blistering 81 off 36 balls, featuring 10 fours and five sixes, set RR up for a 200-plus total. However, CSK fought back in the death overs, with Matheesha Pathirana, Noor Ahmad and Khaleel Ahmed taking two wickets each, restricting RR to 182/9.
Starc’s five-wicket haul powers Delhi Capitals to victory
Mitchell Starc registered his maiden T20 five-wicket haul (5/35) as Delhi Capitals bowled out Sunrisers Hyderabad for 163 in 18.4 overs in Visakhapatnam.
Delhi’s chase was set up by Faf du Plessis (50 off 27) and Jake Fraser-McGurk (38), who put on an 81-run opening stand. Despite leg-spinner Zeeshan Ansari’s two quick wickets, Abhishek Porel (34) and Tristan Stubbs (21) guided Delhi home with four overs to spare.
Sunrisers' innings had an early setback as Abhishek Sharma’s run-out triggered a collapse. Starc removed Ishan Kishan and Nitish Reddy in one over before dismissing Travis Head for 22. Aniket Verma’s explosive 74 and Heinrich Klaasen’s 32 gave Hyderabad hope, but Kuldeep Yadav (3/22) and Fraser-McGurk’s stunning catch ended their resistance.
Delhi, under Axar Patel’s leadership, notched their second win, while Hyderabad slumped to their second loss in three games.
