On the 30th day of IPL2017, we saw an exciting match between Delhi Daredevils and Gujarat Lions. It was do or die for both the teams at the Feroz Shah Kotla; match 42 of the Indian Premier League. Let us look at the highlights of what turned out to be a keenly contested, high scoring match and the repercussions that it has for both the teams.
It was a good toss to win for the home team and Delhi, led by stand in captain Karun Nair elected to bowl first. Gujarat racked up a formidable total of 208 with captain Suresh Raina (77 off 43) and Dinesh Karthik (65 off 34) making the biggest contributions.
Sanju Samson gave the team a great start with his 61 off 31 but it was Rishabh Pant who really bludgeoned his way through the opposition’s attack. His 97 off 43 ensured that DD managed to get to their target with 15 balls and 7 wickets to spare.
The perfect Catch of the Match award went to Corey Anderson. Sanju Samson was declared to be the most Stylish Player of the Match. The Maximum Sixes award and Player of the Match award both were picked up by Rishabh Pant.
With this win, the Delhi Daredevils remain in the competition, but only just. They now have 8 points from their 10 matches. As no 6 on the points table currently, they will have to perform extremely well form hereon to make it to the playoffs.
It is still too premature to make an accurate prediction. However Mumbai Indians at the top of the table with 16 points seem difficult to dislodge and seem certain to make it. KKR and RPS, with 13 points each also seem to be sitting pretty as far as they perform to potential. Apart from SRH, KXIP and DD also seem to have a chance still.
RCB are virtually out of the competition, so this match has little bearing on their fortunes. For KXIP, who are still in with a chance, they have to win this and most if not all their remaining matches and also need DD to lose all theirs! Plus they have to avoid that infamous banana peel effect today; they cannot afford to slip up against RCB.
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