IPL 2020: Fielders and bowlers of Delhi Capitals took Rajasthan Royals to defeat.

Published on October 10, 2020

One hundred eighty-five can rarely be considered a below-par goal, even by T20 standards. But the prestige of the Sharjah Cricket Stadium in the IPL 2020 was such that it looked like it would be easy when Delhi Capitals (DC) set the number for Rajasthan Royals (RR) to chase on Friday.

There was a ground where RR had created the biggest ever chase against Kings XI Punjab in IPL history (224) a small shorter than a fortnight ago. They made a hash of things against DC on Friday, losing by 46 runs.

The scoreboard could offer the lion’s share to Ravichandran Ashwin, and Marcus Stoinis ‘s smart bowling for the win — both were economical, and each took two significant wickets — but what really broke the flow was the DC players’ superior fielding effort.

A few days ago, DC assistant coach Mohammed Kaif listed the effect of the Covid-19 caused break on fielding standards and how it would enhance as IPL advanced. His words nearly proved prophetic.

First was a dive at square-leg by Shikhar Dhawan as Jos Buttler tried to go big against Ashwin over mid-wicket. As Buttler misplayed, the ball dipped, but it was Dhawan’s clanger that did the magic.

In the third over, RR had fallen their first wicket with just 15 on board. Shimron Hetmyer’s second stunning effort came.

RR captain Steve Smith knocked one over mid-wicket with Anrich Nortje pitching the ball up, but the West Indian displayed agility to dive forward to send back the Australian.

Within nine overs, the RR was 56/2. Later, to take another deflected shot at long-on by Sanju Samson, off Stoinis, Hetmyer retained composure under floodlights.

Now, RR, like DC, does not boast batting depth. Take out Buttler, Smith, and Samson, and they’re bound to strike back. The DC bowlers choked the run flow with the trio gone, as RR crumbled.

With his fielding heroics, Hetmyer was not finished yet. Again, he took a spectacular diving catch deep to his left to give Shreyas Gopal back from Harshal Patel in the 18th over.

With this outcome, though DC is on top of the table, RR has lost its fourth straight game.