Key Points:
- When it counted most for the Delhi Capitals, Ajinkya Rahane revealed his class.
- Former India opener Virender Sehwag, responding to Rahane’s ‘solid innings.
- Sehwag also credited DC head coach and retired Australia captain Ricky Ponting for supporting Ajinkya Rahane.
- The former India opener praised Rahane for combing back heavily to help DC pursue a goal of 153.
- This was a much-needed win after four losses in a row for the Capitals.
- Victory (for the Delhi Capitals) was critical. It wouldn’t have mattered if they won it by two wickets or by ten wickets.
When it counted most for the Delhi Capitals, Ajinkya Rahane revealed his class. Rahane, who’s been short of scores and even playing XI in this IPL in and out of the DC, scored a magnificent 46-ball 60 to assist his side beat Royal Challengers Bangalore by six wickets as well as qualify as the No.2 team in the points table for playoffs.
Sehwag on Rahane’s innings:
Former India opener Virender Sehwag, responding to Rahane’s ‘solid innings, said very few value him as a T20 player, but it is always necessary to have someone like Ajinkya Rahane in the playing XI who gives you stability, encouraging others to strike.
“He is rated as a T20 player by very few. They say he can’t hit fours and sixes, but you can strike from the other side if you have a powerful player like him in your squad,’ Sehwag told Cricbuzz after Monday’s Delhi Capitals beat RCB.
Despite the veteran cricketer being short of runs in the IPL 2020, Sehwag also credited DC head coach and retired Australia captain Ricky Ponting for supporting Ajinkya Rahane.
“As both Ajinkya Rahane and Prithvi Shaw were not working, it was a tough call for Ricky Ponting. But he helped and played them, and it was a difficult decision,’ said Sehwag.
The former India opener praised Rahane for combing back heavily to help DC pursue a goal of 153.
You’re playing an accomplished player because you know he may not have scored 3-4 game runs, but he can come back with a big innings in the next round. Ajinkya Rahane does that. He scored 60 out of 46 balls and also scored more than his regular scoring rate, at a strike rate of 130.
“DC just wanted an inning like that. “The strike rate didn’t matter too much; they required someone to play a strong inning bat until the 15-16 over,” Sehwag added.
DC chased down a target of 153 in 19th over, bringing their act together in the nick of time after a two-week winless streak.
Rahane and Dhawan takes DC home with win:
Opener Shikhar Dhawan 54 and Ajinkya Rahane 60 scored fine half-centuries after their bowlers dished out such a clinical performance and limited RCB to 152 for seven to power DC to their target.
This was a much-needed win after four losses in a row for the Capitals.
After the South African pace pair of Anrich Nortje (3/33) and Kagiso Rabada (2/30) led a fine bowling display to limit RCB, Rahane and Dhawan stitched up an 88-run partnership.
When qualifying for the final, the Capitals will receive two shots, while RCB will play mostly in the eliminator.
Victory (for the Delhi Capitals) was critical. It wouldn’t have mattered if they won it by two wickets or by ten wickets. To finish in the top 2, they required to win,’ Sehwag said.
