The Chennai leg of Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021 had a dramatic end on 25 April, when Delhi Capitals (DC) edged past a stubborn Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in this season’s first Super-Over finish. Chasing eight against Rashid Khan in the one-over eliminator, Rishabh Pant and Shikhar Dhawan took their team home off the final ball.
With this triumph, Delhi are now at second place in the points table. They are one of three teams with eight points from five matches. However, in terms of net run rate, they are placed between Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB).
Capitals’ top-order impresses again
Earlier in the evening, Delhi Capitals scored 159/4 after winning the toss and opting to bat. Prithvi Shaw returned to form with 53 off 39 balls. On that slow, low Chepauk track, their plan was to attack the new ball and Shaw performed that role magnificently.
He began with a hat-trick of fours off pacer Khaleel Ahmed, then went after the other SRH bowlers. He was eventually run out. Dhawan was happy to play second fiddle at the other end. The duo put up an 81-run stand in 62 balls and provided the start Delhi needed.
The Pant-Smith show
The SRH bowlers pulled things back after the first 10 overs, when dismissed both openers in quick succession. However, at that point, Delhi skipper Pant and Steven Smith took charge. Pant scored 37 off 27 balls whereas Smith, after an early reprieve, remained not out on 34 off 25. It was their third wicket stand that helped Delhi to go past 150 on that pitch. For SRH, pacer Siddarth Kaul took 2-31 in 4 overs.
The Bairstow onslaught
SRH’s best bet was to score heavily in the Powerplay. Bairstow performed that role. He survived early scare against R Ashwin, when he was given out caught behind but was saved by a review.
Following that moment, Bairstow counterattacked and kept clearing the fence, despite losing his partner Warner through an unfortunate run out. Before getting out to Avesh Khan in the final over of Powerplay, he had scored 38 off 18 balls and provided the early momentum in Sunrisers’ run-chase.
The Williamson masterclass
After losing both Warner and Bairstow inside the Powerplay, it was Williamson’s gritty 51-ball 66 not out that kept SRH in the contest. When wickets were falling at the other end, Williamson showcased his class and experience to anchor the innings. In fact, in the middle overs, he himself took the responsibility of going after the bowling.
However, towards the final few overs, he found a helping hand in Jagadeesha Suchith, who scored 15 off 6 including that vital six over long on against Kagiso Rabada in the final over, to tie the scores and take the game to the Super Over.
Another impressive outing for Avesh
Avesh has been a sensation this season. It was primarily because of his 3-34 that Delhi had the upper hand for the major part of the SRH innings. The youngster used the slowness of the surface to his advantage and used his variations quite aptly. At times he surprised the batsmen his pace (or lack of it) and length.
Following this performance, Avesh now is the second highest wicket-taker in the competition with 11 scalps in five outings.
Brief Scores:
Delhi Capitals 159/4 in 20 overs (Prithvi Shaw 53, Siddarth Kaul 2-31) tied with Sunrisers Hyderabad 159/7 in 20 overs (Kane Williamson 66*; Avesh Khan 3-34). Delhi Capitals won the Super Over. Player of the match: Prithvi Shaw.