IPL 2024, RR vs DC: Riyan Parag owns the big stage as RR put aside confused DC

IPL 2024, RR vs DC: Riyan Parag’s 84 off 45 assured Rajasthan Royals a good total, Delhi Capitals failed to chase. Top takeaways from RR vs DC, Jaipur game.

After a corybantic run riot downtown in the South, we turned our heads to one of the most underrated Northern Derby rivalries in the vibrant land of ‘Ganni Khamma’. Rajasthan Royals came off a victory against Lucknow Supergiants in their first game at home whereas Delhi Capitals lost their first encounter against Punjab Kings in an away fixture. Royals continued with their winning streak and handed Delhi Capitals a second loss on the trot. Both the teams now have faced each other 28 times, in which DC won 13 times and RR were undefeated in 15 matches. 

In his 100th game for Delhi Capitals, skipper Rishabh Pant won the toss and chose to field first against Rajasthan Royals. Despite a sluggish start for RR in the powerplay, they managed to post 185 runs, propelled by Riyan Parag’s late blitz. Delhi’s chase began promisingly with a solid partnership between David Warner and Pant, but their middle order faltered against Rajasthan’s disciplined bowling. Despite Tristan Stubbs’ late efforts, Delhi fell short by 12 runs, unable to chase down the target.

Read More: IPL 2024, RR vs LSG: Samson & Parag led the charge, gave upper hand to RR

Brief Scores: RR 185/5 (Parag 84*, Ashwin 29, Axar 1/21) beat DC 173/5(Warner 49, Stubbs 44*, Chahal 2/19) by 12 runs.

Key Takeaways and talking points from RR vs DC, Match 9, IPL 2024

Riyan Parag steals the show on a gripping deck 

Riyan Parag continued to be in great touch in this year’s IPL. He is paying the rich dividends on the faith that Rajasthan Royals have entrusted to him over the years. In the previous match against LSG, he played a vital knock of 43 runs.

Rajasthan looked in deep trouble in this match as they lost the crucial wickets of Yashasvi, Samson and Butler within 36 runs in 8 overs. Riyan Parag started cautiously and first enforced a 54-run stand with Ashwin to rescue the team out of troubled waters. He was playing run-a-ball at one stage and took the game deep. He stayed till the end of the innings and switched gears in the final overs to score 84 runs off 45 balls. The highlight of his rampant innings was the final over flourish against the speedster Anrich Nortje where he piled up 25 runs against him. His innings was laced with 7 fours and 6 sixes with an impressive S/R of 186.67.

Riyan Parag had an impressive run at the domestic circuit where he was the 5th highest run-getter in the Vijay Hazare Trophy and the leading run scorer in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. Coming off such a great form in domestic matches has helped him significantly in this edition of the IPL. He is looking much more confident and mature in his intent and shot-making.

The seeds of this sensational innings from Riyan Parag were sown in domestic cricket. Delighted for him.

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) March 28, 2024

Read More: Riyan Parag in his own league: Emerges as highest run-scorer in SMAT 2023-24

Delhi need more contribution from their top-order

Delhi Capitals didn’t learn their lesson well from the first encounter which they lost against Punjab Kings. Delhi needed their top-order batters to fire and come out big guns blazing in the chasing cause. Except for David Warner who scored a valiant 49 off 34, no other top-order batter looked solid on the field.

Mitchell Marsh again failed to capitalise on the start he got in this match. His innings against Rajasthan was a repeat telecast of his innings against Punjab. In both, he scored 23 off 12 balls. Marsh’s lack of game awareness and tendency to attack every single ball has hurt Delhi significantly in the powerplay overs.

Rishabh Pant has looked rustic since his return to IPL after a horrific accident. Lack of game time and staying away from the field hasn’t allowed him to flourish full-fledged in the tournament. He needs more game time to get back to his old groove. He scored 18(13) and 28(26) in the two matches which isn’t promising enough per his talent.

Ricky Bhui has earned his place in the playing XI in Delhi on the back of his fantastic form in the domestic circuit. But that has not yet translated for Bhui as he could only score 3(7) and 0(2).

Read More: IPL 2024: What Rishabh Pant’s return means for Delhi Capitals