Delhi Capitals continued their dominant run from the first half of the IPL 2021 as they beat Sunrisers Hyderabad by eight wickets in their first match of the second leg. Their team combination seemed perfect. The return of Shreyas Iyer strengthened their batting, and let them play both Anrich Nortje and Kagiso Rabada. For Hyderabad, Wriddhiman Saha replaced Jonny Bairstow as wicketkeeper as well as opening partner of David Warner.
Hyderabad had an ordinary start possible start, losing Warner to the third ball for a duck. Kane Williamson took his time as Saha kept the scoreboard moving, with two fours and a six before falling to Rabada. Williamson and Manish Pandey added 31 for the third wicket but failed to accelerate. Axar Patel eventually got Williamson, and Pandey fell two balls later. Hyderabad were reduced to 61/4.
After Kedar Jadhav’s dismissal off Nortje, Jason Holder also could survive only nine balls before becoming Axar’s second victim. From 90/6, Abdul Samad and Rashid khan 25 in 19 balls before Rabada (3-37) returned to dismiss Samad (28).
Rashid was run out in the last over for a 19-ball 22, and Hyderabad could eventually set 135 for Delhi. Nortje picked up 2-12 and Axar 2-21. One big concern for the Capitals will be Marcus Stoinis, who left with an injury after bowling seven balls.
Shikhar Dhawan and Prithvi Shaw then raced to 20 in under three overs before Shaw was caught by Williamson off Khaleel Ahmed. Comeback man Iyer then joined Dhawan, and the duo batted without much trouble. Iyer took time to settle down, but Dhawan was in control. He hit six fours and a massive six before falling for 42, caught by Samad in the deep off Rashid.
Dhawan’s dismissal brought the Pant in the middle. Iyer and Pant batted ensured that there was no late drama, unlike the night before. Pant did not miss any chance to put away bad deliveries, and finished with an unbeaten 35 in 21 balls, with three fours and two sixes.
The focus was on Iyer, who made his return memorable, opening up as his innings progressed. He finished the match with a massive six. Delhi won with 13 balls to spare.
Delhi Capitals are now back to the top of the points table while Sunrisers Hyderabad have only 2 points from 8 games.
Brief scores: Sunrisers Hyderabad 134/9 in 20 overs (Samad 28; Rabada 3-37) lost to Delhi Capitals 139/2 in 17.5 overs (Iyer 47*; Rashid 1-26) by 8 wickets with 13 balls to spare. Player of the Match: Anrich Nortje.