Their match against Sunrisers Hyderabad was the perfect example of what can happen when a team front-loads its line-up with nothing much to follow. It never pays to put all eggs in one (or two) basket, especially when the opposition has a potent bowling attack.
Sunrisers were chasing a target that seemed below par at the halfway stage, more so when David Warner and Jonny Bairstow gave the hosts the customary strong start. But the two could put on ‘only’ 72 runs, and after the openers were separated, the sun dramatically set on Hyderabad’s chase, the team bundled out for 116 inside 19 overs.
The two teams seem to be going in opposite directions at the moment. It was Delhi’s third straight victory, all away from home, while Sunrisers have lost as many on the bounce.
As has been the case for much of this campaign, Delhi’s overseas contingent rose to the occasion taking all 10 wickets. Kagiso Rabada, Chris Morris and Keemo Paul all went at well under a run a ball.
Big players step up when the match is on the line. With only Warner standing between the team from the Capital and a victory, Rabada took out the Aussie left-hander and Vijay Shankar in one over to snuff out their chances.
The top heavy nature of the Sunrisers batting is evident from the fact that apart from their openers, no other batsmen (including returning skipper Kane Williamson) could get into double figures or could score at more than a run a ball.
(Express News Service)
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