Englishman's 116 (65) leaves Delhi Capitals chasing shadows
On this day, April 22, 2022, the Wankhede Stadium witnessed a cricket spectacle that unfolded like a classic thriller. What began as a tactical chess match between the Rajasthan Royals and Delhi Capitals morphed into a one-man show courtesy of the irrepressible Jos Buttler. His breath-taking knock of 116 (65) rewrote the script, propelling the Royals to a seemingly impregnable total and setting the stage for a dramatic finish.
The early exchanges were a stark contrast to the fireworks that followed. Khaleel Ahmed's left-arm angle posed initial problems for Buttler, who managed a meagre 11 runs from his first 14 deliveries. The bowler's joy was short-lived. Buttler, the master craftsman, began to weave his magic. Boundaries rained down like confetti, with sixes launched into the night sky, the longest at a staggering 107 meters. The Capitals' bowlers, well and truly on the back foot, watched in despair as their plans were dismantled by the sheer brutality of Buttler's assault.
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Paddikal joins the party
Devdutt Padikkal, often overshadowed by Buttler's brilliance, finally stepped into the spotlight. He took the pressure off his partner with some exquisite strokeplay, particularly against Mustafizur Rahman. Together, they stitched up a mammoth 155-run opening partnership (Buttler 116, Padikkal 54), effectively putting the game to bed. Padikkal's knock served as a crucial reminder of his talent, showcasing his ability to complement Buttler's aggression with calculated strokeplay.
The Rajasthan Royals, renowned for their mastery of spin bowling, treated Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav like a buffet. Both Royals openers targeted the spinners with disdain, plundering crucial runs in the middle overs. This dominance left the Capitals' bowling attack in disarray, with their most potent weapons rendered ineffective. The Royals' strategy, honed throughout the season, paid rich dividends on this night.
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It was Butler’s 2nd ton in IPL
Sanju Samson continued the onslaught after Padikkal's dismissal, ensuring the Royals reached a staggering total of 222/2. Buttler, meanwhile, continued his reign of terror, tightening his grip on the Orange Cap with his third century of the season. His dominance was such that he had scored more on boundaries alone than the second-highest run scorer in the tournament! The Royals had built a fortress, but could the Capitals breach it?
Chasing a monumental target, the Delhi Capitals needed a flying start. While Prithvi Shaw (37) and David Warner (28) provided early impetus, their dismissals pegged them back. Spinners Ashwin and Chahal displayed their experience, controlling the middle overs and stifling the run flow. Prasidh Krishna's timely wickets further dented the Capitals' hopes.
Just when the game seemed lost, Rovman Powell decided to inject some drama. He smashed two sixes in the 18th over, igniting a flicker of hope for the Capitals. Prasidh Krishna threatened to extinguish that hope with a wicket-maiden in the penultimate over. However, the script wasn't quite ready to roll its credits.
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The controversial delivery
A no-ball controversy and Royals clinch a dramatic win
The final over, entrusted to Obed McCoy, turned into a chaotic affair. Powell launched the first three balls for sixes, with the third being a high full toss. Capitals erupted, demanding a no-ball call. A lengthy pause ensued, with officials huddled and replays consulted. However, the on-field decision stood, and Powell (36) was dismissed off the last ball. The Royals, despite the controversy, emerged victorious. (DC 207/8)
