Delhi Capitals (DC) pulled off a nail-biting seven-run victory against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) on April 24, 2023, in the 34th match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) season at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad, on Monday.
After winning the toss, DC elected to bat first and set SRH a target score of 145. While the DC innings started off strong, SRH fought hard in the field and bowled DC out for 144 runs at the loss of nine wickets.
Tough Competition
The match was particularly important for both teams since they were struggling to survive this season. SRH was ranked ninth on the points table, with two wins, and DC had only one win to its credit, placing last on the table. Both teams had played six matches up until this point in the season.
While DC had just defeated the Kolkata Knight Riders by four wickets, SRH was coming off a loss to the Chennai Super Kings by the same score. SRH started off with a slow and steady pace but struggled to pick up the necessary runs. Spinners Kuldeep Yadav and Axar Patel helped the Capitals restrict the Sunrisers to 43 runs in their pursuit.
They needed 13 runs off the penultimate over, but Washington Sundar and Marco Jansen were in the middle and SRH was struggling. However, Mukesh Kumar bowled with remarkable composure, nailing his yorkers while allowing only five runs and helping the Capitals to a seven-run victory. Delhi successfully defended the lowest total of any IPL team this season.
DC’s Batting Woes
Warner and Marsh made spectacular early plays for the Capitals, but the batting collapsed like a house of cards from there. While Bhuvneshwar Kumar gave up nearly nothing in his four overs, Washington Sundar took three wickets in one over.
…and breathe, Dilliwaalon 😮💨
Our boys have clinched the thriller ✅#YehHaiNayiDilli #IPL2023 #SRHvDC pic.twitter.com/oUSnTUHvAB
— Delhi Capitals (@DelhiCapitals) April 24, 2023
Capitals’ batting woes continued when Mayank Agarwal was caught off Axar’s delivery, after managing to score 49 off 39 balls. From then on, SRH bowlers dominated Capitals, who lost wickets at regular intervals.
Sunrisers Get Stuck
Sunrisers struggled in the middle overs (7-16), managing only 58 runs and losing four wickets. Capitals, on the other hand, had managed 64 for three in the same phase. Sunrisers’ openers struggled to get the measure of the surface, with Harry Brook falling for seven off 14 balls trying to scoop Anrich Nortje.
— SunRisers Hyderabad (@SunRisers) April 24, 2023
While Rahul Tripathi tried everything he could, he couldn’t put the ball away either. Eventually, the Capitals’ spinners took control and stifled SRH’s batsmen.
Capitals’ Spinners Stifle Sunrisers
Sunrisers Hyderabad appeared to have the upper hand for the whole of the game against Delhi Capitals. In one over, Washington Sundar took three wickets. After four overs, Bhuvneshwar Kumar had given up nearly nothing. When Sunrisers’ chase of 145 was set up by Mayank Agarwal’s excellent foundation.
With Washington and Marco Jansen in the middle, Sunrisers needed 13 runs off the last over. The Capitals were on the verge of losing by seven runs, but Mukesh Kumar kept his cool, bowled four yorkers, and allowed just five runs. The Delhi franchise had never before successfully defended a lower total in the IPL.
Spinners Kuldeep Yadav and Axar Patel helped the Capitals restrict the Sunrisers to 43 runs in their pursuit. Even though it was the Capitals’ second straight win, their net run rate of -0.961 meant that they remained in last place.
Washington’s Triple-Strike
In 13.4 overs in IPL 2023 before this match, Washington Sundar had gone wicketless. However, his luck changed as he managed to take three crucial wickets in the eighth over against SRH.
Warner, Sarfaraz Khan, and Aman Khan all fell to Washington’s excellent bowling, and the Capitals’ innings went from 57 for two to 62 for five in just eight overs.
The Player of the Match – Axar Patel
Axar Patel (DC) won the Player of the Match award for yesterday’s nail-biting match between SRH and DC after he scored 34 runs and bowled 2 for 21.
Bapu after hitting the 𝐌𝐀𝐑𝐊 🎯#YehHaiNayiDilli #IPL2023 #SRHvDC pic.twitter.com/AvXeg4dmE7
— Delhi Capitals (@DelhiCapitals) April 24, 2023
Bottom Line
The match between Delhi Capitals and Sunrisers Hyderabad was a thrilling encounter that went down to the wire. DC managed to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat, thanks to the brilliant performances of their spinners, especially Axar Patel, who was the Player of the Match.
While SRH put up a tough fight, they were unable to chase down the target of 145 runs set by DC, and their batting struggles continued. With this win, DC climbed to the eighth spot on the IPL points table, while SRH remained in the ninth position. Overall, it was a great match for cricket fans to watch, with both teams giving their all to secure a much-needed win.
