Pant, Dhawan guide Delhi to 6-wicket win against Rajasthan

Ajinkya Rahane smashed a breathtaking century as RR posted a mammoth total of 191 runs for the loss of six wickets in front of Delhi Capitals.

Jaipur: Delhi's wicket-keeper batsman Rishabh Pant's scintillating 48-ball unbeaten 84 along with Shikhar Dhawan's quickfire fifty guided DC to a six-wicket win over Rajasthan Royals in an Indian Premier League encounter at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium, here on Monday.

Chasing a mammoth total of 192 runs in 20 overs, Delhi openers Shikhar Dhawan and Prithvi Shaw gave the visiting side a flying start by adding 72 runs in 7.3 overs. Shreyas Gopal draws the first blood for Rajasthan by removing settled Dhawan from the attack in 8th overs.

DC skipper Shreyas Iyer joined Shaw at the crease following Dhawan's departure. However, Iyer, who was Delhi last match, the hero did not do much for his side as he gifted his wicket to Riyan Parag in the ninth over.

The explosive Rishabh Pant joined Shaw at the crease when his side needed 115 runs in 11.2 overs with eight wickets in hand.

Both Pant and Prithvi looked in decent touch as the duo tries to put back Delhi back on track. The duo added 84 runs for the third wicket before Prithvi Shaw became the second victim of Shreyas Gopal.

Sherfane Rutherford joined Pant at the crease when Delhi needed 31 runs to win the match. Dhawal Kulkarni removed Sherfane Rutherford from the attack in 18th over to keep the home team's slim hope alive.

Colin Ingram joined Pant at the crease in 18th over and the duo guided Delhi to a six-wicket win. Rishabh Pant was the star performer with the bat for Delhi. The youngster smashed 78 runs off 36 balls with the help of six fours and four sixes.

Shreyas Gopal picked two wickets for Rajasthan, while Dhawal Kulkarni and Riyan Parag picked one each.

Earlier, Rajasthan opener Ajinkya Rahane smashed a breathtaking century as RR posted a mammoth total 191 of runs for the loss of six wickets in front of Delhi Capitals. Rahane was also supported by Steve Smith from the other end.

Ajinkya Rahane

Asked to bat first, Delhi's South Africa speedster Kagiso Rabada gave Rajasthan major blow when he runout Royals wicket-keeper Sanju Samson on the very first ball of his opening overs. However, Samson's wicket does not have any major impact on Rajasthan as their former skipper Ajinkya Rahane changed his batting gear.

Rahane, who is often known for his technical shots, went ballistic on Delhi bowlers as he smashed a 32-balls fifty and put his side back on track along with his captain Steve Smith.

Smith too joined Rahane in firework as he smashed a 31 ball fifty. However, the Australian was sent back to stand by Axar Patel on the very next ball after he completed his half-century.

Smith and Rahane snitched 130-runs for the second wicket, which is also Rajasthan's highest second-wicket partnership in the Indian Premier League.

English all-rounder Ben Stokes joined India's Test vice-captain, who was in sublime touch after a really long time with the bat, in the middle in the 14th over after Smith's departure. Stokes was not able to do much damage to Delhi as gifted his wicket to Chris Morris and soon Ashton Turner followed suit.

Rabada was the standout performer for Delhi with the ball. The youngster picked two wickets while conceding just 37 runs.

It is also noteworthy that it was the third time in this IPL when Turner was removed for a golden duck.

For Delhi, Ishant Sharma, Axar Patel and Chris Morris picked one wicket each.

Brief scores:Delhi Capitals ( Rishabh Pant 78*, Shikhar Dhawan 54; Shreyas Gopal 2/47) beat Rajasthan Royals 161/7 in 20 overs (Ajinkya Rahane 105*, Steve Smith 50; Kagiso Rabada 2/37) by six wickets.