DELHI, India — The Delhi Capitals clinched their third consecutive triumph, defeating Chennai Super Kings by a margin of 25 runs in the Indian Premier League match on Saturday. Lokesh Rahul led the charge with a commanding half-century, marking his first fifty for his new team.
As the day concluded, Delhi stood tall as the only undefeated team, while Punjab Kings succumbed to Rajasthan Royals, suffering a 50-run loss. Rahul’s impressive 77 runs off 51 deliveries highlighted Delhi’s total of 183-6. His innings was studded with six boundaries and three towering sixes.
Chasing the target, Chennai struggled from the start, finally ending at 158-5. This result compromised their top-order batting lineup. The last time Delhi started the IPL with three consecutive victories was back in 2009.
Meanwhile, Punjab endured its fifth defeat in six games at their new ground in Mullanpur. Rajasthan Royals made a formidable show, reaching 205-4, thanks to Yashasvi Jaiswal’s return to form, scoring 67 runs from 45 balls. Riyan Parag also contributed with 43 runs not out in just 25 balls.
Punjab Kings managed to scrape together just 155-9, after a lackluster start of 43-4 in just over six overs. Jofra Archer’s double strike in the opening over dismantled Punjab’s hopes, granting Rajasthan their second win in four matches.
In Chennai, opting to bat first, Delhi Capitals faced an early setback with Jake Fraser-McGurk’s dismissal for a duck after just five balls. Khaleel Ahmed shone for Chennai with figures of 2-25 across his four overs. Abishek Porel supported Rahul, adding 54 from 36 balls before falling to Ravindra Jadeja’s bowling.
Captain Axar Patel’s quickfire 21 off 14 deliveries pushed Delhi’s score to 90-3 midway through their innings. Rahul reached his fifty in just 33 balls, with additional support from Sameer Rizvi (20) and Tristan Stubbs (an unbeaten 24 off 12 balls).
Chennai’s chase stumbled early with Rachin Ravindra departing for 3, Devon Conway caught on 13, and captain Ruturaj Gaikwad out for 5, leaving them in dire straits at 41-3 in just over five overs. Impact substitute Shivam Dube struggled to accelerate with 18 off 15 balls, and Jadeja’s dismissal for 2 compounded their woes.
Vijay Shankar showcased resilience with an unbeaten 69 off 54 balls, but the increasing run-rate pressure was too much to handle. With Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Shankar added a partnership of 84 from 57 balls, but their efforts couldn’t salvage the chase.
Rajasthan’s Jaiswal, who hadn’t surpassed 29 runs this season previously, struck a rewarding 50 off 40 balls, hitting five sixes along the way in Mullanpur. Sanju Samson, fully fit, contributed 38 runs, and together with Jaiswal, they formed a solid opening partnership, amassing 89 runs from 62 balls.
After both openers were dismissed by Lockie Ferguson, Parag, and Shimron Hetmyer combined for a fast-paced 47 from 25 deliveries to drive Rajasthan beyond the 200-run milestone.
While Punjab countered with the bat, Archer dismissed opener Priyansh Arya on the first ball and soon sent in-form skipper Shreyas Iyer back to the pavilion for 10 runs. Marcus Stoinis (1) and Prabhsimran Singh (17) fell in quick succession, leaving Punjab in peril.
Nehal Wadhera and Glenn Maxwell gave Punjab a fleeting hope by adding 88 off 52 balls. However, both were dismissed in consecutive deliveries by Sri Lankan spinners, sinking Punjab’s chances. Maxwell, having scored 30 off 21, was caught off Matheesha Theekshana, while Wadhera, with 62 runs off 41, fell to Wanindu Hasaranga.
In Sunday’s schedule change, the initial doubleheader was reduced to a single fixture as Sunrisers Hyderabad faced Gujarat Titans at their home ground. The anticipated clash between Kolkata Knight Riders and Lucknow SuperGiants is rescheduled for Tuesday due to religious festivals in Kolkata. This change triggers an additional evening encounter between Punjab Kings and Chennai Super Kings after the Kolkata-Lucknow game on that day.