Match 34 - Highlights

Picture Credit: BCCI/IPL

Rajasthan Royals' opener Jos Buttler stamped his authority on the orange cap as he slammed his fourth IPL century and third this season as the Rajasthan Royals defeated Delhi Capitals by 15 runs at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. Buttler seems to be in the form for ages as the power-hitter scored 116 runs off just 65 deliveries with nine fours and as many maximums.

After being invited to bat first, Rajasthan Royals had a terrific start as their opener Jos Buttler (116 off 65) and Devdutt Padikkal (54 off 35) added 155 runs on board for the first wicket. Later, skipper Sanju Samson too joined the party as he smashed 46 in just 19 balls.

RR posted 222/2 in their allotted 20 overs, the highest total this season. Khaleel Ahmed leaked 47 runs with one wicket in his four overs spell, while Kuldeep Yadav gave away 40 runs in just three overs.

Delhi got to a great start as David Warner, and Prithvi Shaw built a 43-run opening partnership before the Aussie got dismissed by Prasidh Krishna. Shaw managed only 37 runs, with Sarfaraz Khan amassing just one run. Captain Pant mustered 44 runs off 24 deliveries as Lalit Yadav scored 37 runs.

With 36 needed off the last over, Rovman Powell hammered three sixes off the first balls against Obed McCoy, but then a controversy related to no-ball occurred, and it seems like Powell lost his momentum.

Let's take a look at some of the highlights from the game.

1. 155-run stand between Jos Buttler and Devdutt Padikkal

Delhi invited the Royals to bat first, hoping to get some early breakthroughs, but the Royal openers had different plans for the opponents. Both the batters started their innings a bit slow but soon after changed the gears and took their toll on every Delhi bowler. Buttler began from where he left off as he became only the second player after Shikhar Dhawan to hit back-to-back centuries in IPL history. His opening partner Devdutt Padikkal notched up a 35-ball half-century before Khaleel Ahmed dismissed him in 15.1 overs.

2. Jos Buttler's third century

The Englishman is in the form of his life and not doing anything wrong while batting for his franchise. He became only the second player after Shikhar Dhawan to hit back-to-back centuries in IPL history. Buttler's 116-run knock was studded with nine maximums and nine boundaries as he helped the side post the highest total of this season on board in front of Delhi.

3. Rovman Powell's brief cameo and no-ball drama in the last over

Despite, losing wickets at regular intervals, Delhi never lost hope but kept the fight alive till the end. The climax occurred in the last over as 36 were needed off the six balls, and the Caribbean bowler was on the crease to make an unprecedented attempt for his side. Powell hit back-to-back sixes in the first three balls off Obed McCoy to change the scoreboard as now 18 were needed in the last three balls.

But, Royal's victory came on the back of some drama that unfolded as the Delhi camp got stubborn for a possible-waist high no-ball. The drama lasted for a few minutes, as Pant gestured the batters to return if no-ball was not given, but soon after skipper got his senses back, and the match resumed. However, the next three balls didn't go as per Delhi's plan, so the Royals won the game.