Rajasthan Royals (RR) topped the points table in the 2022 Indian Premier League (IPL) after beating Delhi Capitals (DC) by 15 runs on Friday, April 22. The match turned into a close match at the high-scoring venue as both the teams tried their best to dominate each other.
But Jos Buttler’s brilliant century made the difference between the two teams. Butler is currently the Orange Cap holder in the tournament, having scored nearly 500 runs with three centuries to his name. He also became the second batsman after Virat Kohli of Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) to score three or more centuries in an IPL edition.
joss butler shines
The decision to send the Royals in to bat turned out to be a big turnaround for the Capitals as Sanju Samson & Co posted a mammoth total of 222/2 in 20 overs. Devdutt Padikkal and Butler were a bit wary at the start as DC posted 43 for no loss in the powerplay.
But once he got the conditions and the scale of the opposition bowling, he stepped on the gas. The duo put on a 155-run partnership for the first wicket to set the stage for a big score. Mustafizur Rahman gave DC his first breakthrough after getting rid of Padikkal, who scored 54 off 35.
Buttler, on the other hand, scored 57 runs and dismissed Khaleel Ahmed in the final over. Buttler scored 116 runs in 65 balls with the help of nine fours and as many sixes. Captain Samson played a knock of 46 runs off 19 balls to ensure that he gave a finishing kick to the innings.
DCs fall less tantalizingly
Capitals started the flight with a 43-run partnership for the first wicket between Prithvi Shaw and David Warner. But by the end of the 10th over, both the batsmen were out. Sarfaraz Khan, who changed the order several times, was also dismissed cheaply.
Ravi Ashwin was effective for the Capitals as he sent back both Shaw and Sarfaraz. Rishabh Pant tried to bring the Capitals back on track with a flamboyant innings of 44 runs. However, Padikkal took a brilliant catch inside the circle to ensure that the DC skipper went back to the hut.
Lalit Yadav tried a lot after scoring 37 runs in 24 balls, after which Krishna got him out. Krishna also bowled a wicket maiden in the last over of DC’s run chase. With 36 runs needed in the last over, Rovman Powell hit Obed McCoy for three consecutive sixes.
The third ball of the over sparked controversy as the DC players were not happy with the no-ball call made by the umpire. The Capitals camp admitted that McCoy threw the ball over Powell’s waist.
Pant was not happy and had an animated discussion with Butler near the boundary. After this, the match began and McCoy held his nerves to take the Royals over the line.