The match between Delhi Daredevils and Rajasthan Royals on Sunday proved to be worth the money and time, as it was stretched to the very last ball, with the Royals being the better team, winning the match by 3 wickets.
Chasing their target of 185, Rajasthan Royals began with Rahane and Sanju Samson, and the going was pretty fine, until Mathews removed Samson for 11 in the 5th over, taking the score to 37/1. Smith was the new man in, but he fell to Mishra for 10, bringing Nair into the chase. Mishra came to DD’s rescue again, dismissing Nair for 20, taking the score to 74/3, 111 runs required off 60 deliveries.
Stuart Binny flopped yet again, removed by Tahir for 1, bringing Hooda into the action. He took charge and began dispatching the ball, bringing the asking rate considerably, with Rahane playing anchor from the other end. Hooda was given a lifeline in the 15th over, taking the score to 130/4, 55 required off 30 balls. Rahane was dismissed by Tahir for 47, bringing Faulkner to assist Hooda in the chase.
Hooda notched up his half century, looking to drive the team home, but Tahir had other plans, as he sent him back for 54 in the 19th over, Morris being the new man in the middle. It was a double blow delivered by Tahir, this time removing Faulkner in the same over for 17, more or less swinging the match in the favour of the Delhi outfit. RR now required 12 from 6 balls.
Earlier, Rajasthan Royals won the toss and elected to bowl first. Opening the innings for the Daredevils side were Agarwal and Iyer, with the former taking the upper hand and belting the ball all around the park. His stay was cut short though, by Tambe for 37 in the 5th over, taking the score to 46/1.
JP Duminy was the new man in and as soon as he walked in, Iyer began smashing the ball, quickly taking the score to 84/1 in 10 overs. However, he fell in the 11th over, dismissed by Morris for 40, bringing Yuvraj Singh into the crease. The duo took the score to 119/2 in 15 overs, but just when Yuvraj was regaining his lost touch, Morris got the better of him for 27 in the 17th over, bringing Mathews in. Duminy and Mathews took to attack the bowlers, wrapping up the innings at 184/4.