Top-order batsman Rilee Rossouw found his mojo to hit his first IPL fifty as Delhi Capitals finally came to the party to post 213 for two against Punjab Kings, in Dharamsala on Wednesday. Already out of the playoff race, Delhi Capitals got off to a flying start with Prithvi Shaw hitting a 54 in his comeback after almost a month. Shaw, who made his final appearance in this season’s IPL against Kolkata Knight Riders on April 20, returned to form and posted a 35-ball 50, his first in 13 IPL innings.
Shaw suffered a setback from Rabada on his 38-ball knock (7×4, 1×6) as he and his skipper David Warner (46 of 31b; 5×4, 2×6) gave their best start of the season.
“Sure, after a long time (good feeling). Sometimes you have to work hard for it. This was the game, I had to work hard, later you get the credit. also a good wicket to save. There’s dew. There was dew too before the match started. It’s the same. When you find the hole it goes over the ground nicely,” he said midway through the innings. “It (finger ) hurts, but I’m sure it will be ok.”
The duo compiled an opening score of 94 runs, their highest this season before Rossouw took the lead with his first IPL fifty coming off 25 balls.
Rossouw took the lead as he sent his South African teammate into space with a six over long-off.
He followed it up with a border and then a sublime pick-up six over deep square leg, because from then on there was no looking back for the South African.
Rabada then gave up 36 from his three overs, while Sam Curran took 2/36.
From a calm six for no loss in two overs, DC raced to 61 without losing a wicket in the power play, with Warner and Shaw posting their highest opening partnership this season after PBKS opted to bowl.
This was the second time DC had not lost a wicket in the power play this season.
DC got going when Warner whacked Curran for back-to-back boundaries before taking on Rabada.
Shaw drew Rabada to a boundary before Warner took on the South African pacer with two sixes in three balls in a 17-run over.
They crossed to 50 within five overs as Warner and Shaw took on the Punjab bowlers.
Nothing went in PBKS favor on Wednesday, as Rahul Chahar dropped a nanny to give Warner a reprieve at 39. The Aussie was reeled in by a spectacular catch by Shikhar Dhawan, but by then DC was on course for a total of over 200.
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