RR lost Yashasvi Jaiswal for 5 as he was bowled by Mukesh Kumar. Skipper Sanju Samson (15) was the next to go as he was caught behind off Khaleel Ahmed’s bowling. Rajasthan Royals were three down for 36 when Kuldeep Yadav trapped Jos Buttler lbw for 11 off 16 balls. Parag and Ravichandran Ashwin (29 off 19), who hit three sixes, added 54 for the fourth wicket.
Parag played a sensational knock, hitting seven fours and six sixes, to lift Rajasthan Royals to a competitive score. In the last over, he went after Anrich Nortje as 25 runs came off the 20th over. Dhruv Jurel chipped in with 20 off 12, while Shimron Hetmyer was unbeaten on 14 off seven balls.
In the chase, Delhi Capitals got off to a decent start, but could not maintain the momentum till the end. Mitchell Marsh (23 off 12) was knocked over by Nandre Burger. The left-arm pacer also dismissed Ricky Bhui for a two-ball duck in the same over. David Warner batted well for his 49 off 34 balls, hitting five fours and three sixes. However, he fell to a brilliant leaping catch by Sandeep Sharma off Avesh Khan’s bowling.
Delhi Capitals captain Rishabh Pant (28 off 26) was caught behind off Yuzvendra Chahal. Tristan Stubbs smacked 44 not out off 23 balls, which included three sixes. However, DC fell short of the target by some distance.
“I know what my opinion is about myself. That does not change regardless of whether I get a zero or not. That's a lot to do with the type of season as well, I had a great domestic season and that helps. Someone in the top four has to play the 20 overs. In the first game, Sanju [Samson] did it,” Player of the Match Parag said after the game.
--By A Cricket Correspondent
