Delhi Capitals got a vital win against Rajasthan Royals last night in the Indian Premier League to stay on track of qualification for the playoffs. Rajasthan is in a more comfortable position than the Capitals but it is now three defeats in the last four matches for them, surely raising some concerns. Rishabh Pant won the toss and elected to bowl first at DY Patil Stadium, Navi Mumbai. Royals lost the Orange cap holder Jos Buttler early. Ashwin got promoted to bat at number 3 again, and this time he delivered with the bat scoring a brilliant fifty of 38 balls.

The off-spinner remained the highest scorer for them as the Royals got to a total of 160 after some disciplined death bowling by Delhi. In the second innings, Mitchell Marsh’s match-winning 89 helped DC to chase down the total comfortably in the end. After this massive win, Delhi is on 12 points from 12 matches which sees them sitting at the fifth spot. DC captain Rishabh Pant feels it was a close to perfect match for his side.

“It was close to a perfect game as I believe there is always space for improvement. On this kind of wickets where there is little turn, you can go either way.” – Pant said at the post-match presentation.

“I am happy we bowled first. Thought 140-160 was a good score and said so at the toss. And we got there. Destiny is always on your hands, you can look to give 100 percent. The fielding could be better. But this was close to a perfect game.”

Let’s look at the talking points from the RR vs DC clash-

Ashwin’s fifty as a floater

Royals experiment with Ashwin’s batting once again sending him at number 3, ahead of Devdutt Padikkal and Sanju Samson. After losing Jos Buttler early, the Royals needed someone to make the powerplay count with minimum risk, and the call to send Ashwin proved to be right. He scored a quickfire 50 off 38 balls to set a good platform for a big score.

 Sakariya impresses again

The young left-arm medium-pacer got the most crucial wicket of in-form Jos Buttler sending him back in the pavilion for just 7. It was Sakariya’s only third game this year and he finished his spell with the figures of 2/23.

Luck was on David Warner’s side

It was not the most fluent innings from the Australian opener, none the less it was very well composed. Warner had his luck on his side in the 41-ball 52-run knock. Against Yuzvendra Chahal, he got dropped by Jos Buttler once. Then one delivery kissed the leg stump but the bells did not come off. All those things happened at the same over.

Mitchell Marsh – the match-winner

Marsh showed everyone why Delhi bought his services this season, smashing scintillating 89 runs off 62 balls. The Aussie all-rounder dominated every DC bowler to take his side near the winning line. Also with the ball, he picked up two wickets. Surely the best performance in the IPL from him.