By A narrow four-run victory was secured by Delhi Capitals over Gujarat Titans, thanks to their captain’s remarkable innings of 88 from 43 balls. Despite the efforts of Sai Sudharsan, David Miller, and Rashid Khan, who tried to stop the hosts from securing a double victory, Delhi Capitals managed to come out on top. Pant’s innings, combined with Axar Patel’s 66 off 43 and Tristan Stubbs’s late cameo of 26 off 7, propelled DC’s total well past the 200-run mark, which proved to be just enough to secure the two points in the end.
The match was won in the death overs, where Delhi Capitals smashed 11 sixes in the last five overs. This backend onslaught made a significant difference, with DC scoring 22 off the 19th over and 31 off the last, pushing their total to a point that seemed unreachable just a few overs earlier. Despite Gujarat Titans smashing at 14.6 in the last five overs, they fell short, highlighting the importance of Delhi Capitals’ finish with the bat.
In the PowerPlay, Sandeep Warrier and the Afghan duo troubled the hosts, restricting them to a score of 44/3. Axar’s promotion to No.3 worked well as he, along with Pant, counter-attacked in the middle overs. The duo took down the spinners, particularly Rashid and Noor, who conceded 57 off 6 overs. Mohit Sharma’s slower deliveries also failed to contain the run flow, as runs came off the quicks as well. The partnership targeted the leg side boundary against the slower bowlers, with Axar reaching his 50 off 37 balls.
Delhi Capitals Edge Out Gujarat Titans in Thrilling Final-Over courtesy pant
The death overs saw a flurry of sixes as DC breached the 200-run mark. Pant’s aggressive batting, including a helicopter-like whip for a six off Mohit Sharma, set the tone. Axar welcomed Noor’s bowling with two big sixes but fell for an excellent 66 off 43 balls. Stubbs added to the six barrage with two fours and two sixes off R Sai Kishore, who bowled his first over in the 19th and conceded 22 runs. Pant then demolished Mohit Sharma in the last over, scoring 31 off it.
Gujarat Titans made a strong start in the PowerPlay, with Wriddhiman Saha hitting five fours to get 33 off 15 balls. However, the wickets of Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan slowed their progress. Rasikh Salam’s two wickets in the middle overs further hampered GT’s innings, despite Sudharsan’s 29-ball half-century. GT needed 78 in the final five overs but fell short despite Miller’s aggressive batting.
In the end, Delhi Capitals managed to defend their total of 224/4, with Gujarat Titans finishing at 220/8 in 20 overs. Delhi Capitals will next host the Mumbai Indians at home, while Gujarat Titans will welcome a struggling RCB for an afternoon fixture in Ahmedabad.
