The 2024 Duleep Trophy has served as a crucial platform for many Indian cricket stars to return to red-ball cricket. With the home season around the corner, including a pivotal two-Test series against Bangladesh, the tournament has become a stage for players to showcase their skills. One of the standout performers was Rishabh Pant, who made a remarkable comeback to red-ball cricket.

Pant's impressive comeback performance

Rishabh Pant's return to the longer format of the game has been eagerly anticipated by fans and the cricketing fraternity. Playing for India B, Pant displayed his trademark flair behind the stumps and contributed significantly with the bat. His quickfire 61 in the second innings of the first round showcased his ability to turn the game in his team’s favor. Pant’s performance was a blend of aggression and precision, making it clear that he has regained his confidence in red-ball cricket.

Behind the stumps, Pant was back to his lively self, constantly chirping and engaging with his teammates. His energy was infectious, and his playful banter returned in full force. On Day 4, he had an amusing exchange with his Delhi Capitals and India teammate, Kuldeep Yadav, which provided some light-hearted entertainment during a tense match.

Banter between Pant and Kuldeep steals the show

As India A struggled to chase down a challenging target, Kuldeep Yadav found himself trying to steady the innings. Rishabh Pant, never one to miss an opportunity for some fun, began playfully teasing Kuldeep from behind the stumps. The duo, known for their strong off-field camaraderie, engaged in a hilarious back-and-forth, with Pant pretending to devise a “plan” to get Kuldeep out. Despite the playful ribbing, Kuldeep managed to keep his focus on the game, responding to Pant’s jibes with a smile and telling him to relax.

"Rishabh - isko single lene de , bhaut tagda plan banaya hai 

Kuldeep- thi h yaar , kyu pareshaan ho rha 

Rishabh - Toh phir out ho jaa na "

Rishabh - isko single lene de , bhaut tagda plan banaya hai

Kuldeep- thi h yaar , kyu pareshaan ho rha

Rishabh - Toh phir out ho jaa na 😂

Funniest banter you ever listen

Rishabh pant Tha character #RishabhPant pic.twitter.com/gZLYQGXsD3

— Harsh shekhawat (@wordofshekhawat) September 8, 2024

Rishabh - isko single lene de , bhaut tagda plan banaya hai Kuldeep- thi h yaar , kyu pareshaan ho rha Rishabh - Toh phir out ho jaa na  Funniest banter you ever listen Rishabh pant Tha character

Pant's antics didn’t stop there. Before the start of Day 4, he mischievously slipped into the India A team huddle as Shubman Gill, the captain, addressed his players. Later, Pant shared a laugh with Avesh Khan, his India A and Delhi Capitals teammate, further highlighting the bond between the players. Pant’s banter, combined with his on-field performance, added a lively dynamic to the match and made his return to red-ball cricket even more memorable.

See Also: Avesh Khan's response at Chinnaswamy steals the show in Duleep Trophy (cricketwinner.com)

Rishabh Pant’s return in the Duleep Trophy not only boosted India B but also reminded everyone of his charismatic presence both on and off the field. As India prepares for their upcoming Test series against Bangladesh, Pant’s form and energy will be key assets for the team.

Indian cricketer Kuldeep Yadav was in Berlin on Sunday to attend the EURO 2024 final between England and Spain. Before the kick-off at the Olympiastadion, Kuldeep was asked to predict the winners.

Kuldeep Yadav’s spot-on prediction

Praising both finalists for their dominant performances throughout the tournament, Kuldeep remarked, “Both teams are playing really well at the moment. Spain have been really well throughout the tournament. If they play the way they have played all the games, I think they can easily get past England. But, you know the final is always tough,” he said in a video shared by Sony Sports Network on X.

However, when pressed further on which team he would like to see crowned European Champions, Kuldeep admitted, “Yes, I am supporting Spain. I think they will go past England and win 2-1.” His prediction turned out to be spot-on as Spain defeated England 2-1 to secure their record fourth EURO title. Sharing a clip of his interview, Sony Sports Network wrote on X, “One champion predicts another. Kuldeep Yadav was on point at the EURO 2024 Final.”

A thrilling final match

The final clash between Spain and England saw both teams initially playing cautiously, resulting in a goalless first half. The deadlock was broken shortly after the second-half whistle by Niko Williams, putting Spain ahead. England’s Cole Palmer equalized in the 73rd minute, setting up a tense finish. With only four minutes left of regulation time, Mikel Oyarzabal struck the winning goal, sealing a 2-1 victory for Spain.

Meanwhile, Kuldeep Yadav is enjoying a holiday after his recent success with the Indian cricket team. He played a key role in India’s triumph at the T20 World Cup in Barbados, where they defeated South Africa in a thrilling final. Kuldeep featured in five matches, taking a total of 10 wickets, with his best performance being three wickets for 19 runs in a Super Eight match against Bangladesh.

See Also: Warner not in consideration for Champions Trophy 2025, confirms Australia’s national selector – Cricket Winner

The 29-year-old chinaman bowler has been rested for the ongoing Zimbabwe tour, where Shubman Gill is leading a young squad. Kuldeep is expected to return to action in the upcoming white-ball series against Sri Lanka, scheduled to begin on July 27.

While many compared Rohit Sharma‘s unique walk to the stage to receive the T20 World Cup trophy to Lionel Messi’s FIFA World Cup moment, a video on social media revealed that it was spinner Kuldeep Yadav who planned and demonstrated the walk to Rohit. This behind-the-scenes preparation added a special touch to India’s historic victory.

India’s thrilling T20 World Cup Final victory

India (176 / 7) edged out South Africa (169 / 8) by seven runs in a thrilling final in Barbados on Saturday, ending a 17-year wait for another T20 World Cup triumph. This victory also ended an 11-year ICC title drought for India, with the last win being the 2013 Champions Trophy. For Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, this tournament was their last chance to win a world title in the shortest format, as both announced their retirement from T20Is after the victory.

Kuldeep Yadav’s influence on Rohit’s trophy reception

Before Rohit went on to receive the trophy, Kuldeep Yadav could be seen showing his skipper how to approach the stage. This video has since gone viral on social media, capturing the hearts of fans. India’s victory was built on the foundation of Virat Kohli’s best knock of the tournament, a 59-ball 76, and Axar Patel’s crucial 47, which set up a challenging total for South Africa to chase.

India’s bowlers were instrumental in the win, with Hardik Pandya taking 3-20, Jasprit Bumrah 2-18, and Arshdeep Singh 2 -20. Despite South Africa moving into a winning position at one stage, requiring just a run a ball, the turning points came with the wicket of Heinrich Klaasen (52 off 27 balls) by Pandya and a stunning catch by Suryakumar Yadav to dismiss David Miller (21 off 17 balls). These key moments shifted the momentum back to India, securing their historic triumph.

See Also: Axar Patel: India’s T20 World Cup Final hero’s near-villain moment – Cricket Winner

This thrilling match and the memorable moments around it, including Kuldeep’s unique influence on Rohit’s trophy walk, have been widely celebrated, marking a significant milestone in India’s cricketing history.

The Men in Blue will now face South Africa in their final game on Saturday at the Bridgetown in Barbados. Earlier on Thursday, the Proteas beat Afghanistan in the first semi-final. India has qualified for the T20 World Cup 2024 final after defeating England by 69 runs in their second semi-final in Guyana on Thursday.
South Africa beat Afghanistan in the first semi-finals of the 2024 T20 World Cup. The Proteas advanced for their first World Cup final.

There will be several intriguing player battles ahead of the India-South Africa T20 World Cup final. Player clashes add a new level of excitement to the contest’s winner selection process. Let’s look at a few of them:

Rohit Sharma vs Kagiso Rabada

The Indian skipper has been in excellent form and is coming off two consecutive half-centuries. So far, no batter has hit three consecutive 50s in this tournament. The way Rohit is batting right now, it appears very possible, and he is a player who can remove the pitch from the equation.

That’s why it’s critical to stop him. Kagiso Rabada has also caused him problems on several occasions. Rabada has bowled Rohit 13 times in international cricket, including twice in the IPL. That means he eliminated the Indian captain 15 times in their 32 meetings.

Also Read: From weather to reserve day: All you need to know about T20 World Cup 2024 Final between South Africa and India

Virat Kohli vs Marco Jansen

Virat Kohli, the former Indian captain, is performing badly in this tournament. However, given his stature, he is capable of winning any position. That is why South Africa will not write him off. If South Africa can get him out early, it will put pressure on the remaining Indian batters, especially Rohit.

That is where we believe Marco Jansen can be useful. The pacer with the left arm is going to get the ball into him and are good bouncer, whereas Virat may struggle. Jansen dismissed Virat five times in international cricket and once in the Indian Premier League.

Heinrich Klaasen vs Kuldeep Yadav

South Africa will be contemplating their strategy against the Indian spinner, as this will be crucial in the SA vs IND final. Heinrich Klaasen will be the lineup’s biggest batter. He can face Indian spinner and score runs on shifting tracks as well.

Kuldeep Yadav, however, will be his most difficult challenge. This wrist spinner is difficult to read, which makes him a danger to any batter. Klaasen and Kuldeep have met ten times in international cricket, with Kuldeep dismissing him three times. In white-ball cricket, Klaasen has scored 84 runs off 64 balls against him.

Suryakumar Yadav vs Anrich Nortje

Not only will India rely on Rohit and Virat, but also on Suryakumar Yadav’s batting. He has been in excellent form throughout the tournament, and it is now time for him to deliver one final strong innings that will propel India to victory. He has a good record against South Africa.

He’ll be looking to play some unconventional shots. However, it can be difficult to beat Anrich Nortje, who can bowl at speeds ranging from 120 to 150 KMPH without changing his action. Nortje has twice dismissed Suryakumar in four IPL innings.

Quinton de Kock vs Jasprit Bumrah

Quinton de Kock is the leading scorer for South Africa in the current ICC T20 World Cup 2024. He scored runs against strong opposition and will be crucial for his team. If he gets going, he will not let the Indian bowlers rest. That is where it will be critical to get him out.

However, his first challenge will be versus Jasprit Bumrah. The ace pacer has given India a good start. His first spell will be critical. He has enjoyed bowling with De Kock. Bumrah has sacked De Kock six times, including once in the IPL.

Believe it or not, since Sri Lanka’s 27-run win over West Indies in the first semi-final of the 2014 T20 World Cup—the last time India reached the final in a T20 World Cup—no side batting first had won a knockout game in the tournament’s history. Over five editions, there had been 12 consecutive instances of the chasing side clinching the semi-final or the final. However, the Men in Blue changed that on June 27, ending the streak on the 13th attempt by brushing England aside in the second semi-final with a convincing 68-run victory.

Asked to bat first, India mounted an above-par total at the Providence Stadium in Guyana, scoring 171/7. England started well in their chase but soon faced their worst nightmare as the Indian spinners took control. The English batters found themselves ensnared, ultimately surrendering to India’s bowling attack and breaking the long-standing trend of successful chases in knockout games.

See Also: T20 WC 2024: Match Analysis: How did Afghanistan’s nightmare unfold in just 60 minutes?

Analysis of India & England’s Spin Performance in the Semifinal

When Jos Buttler struck three boundaries in Arshdeep Singh’s second over, England believed they could chase down the target despite India setting a formidable total. Sensing the urgency, Rohit Sharma brought Axar Patel into the attack in the next over. Buttler, attempting to keep the momentum, opted for a high-risk shot right away. He attempted a reverse sweep on Axar’s first delivery, a shot based more on chance than calculation. Unfortunately for England, Buttler toe-edged the ball straight to Rishabh Pant, departing for 23 off 15 balls.

This moment proved to be a major turning point in the clash. Facing a peculiar left-arm spinner like Axar on a slow surface with the new ball, Buttler’s aggressive approach backfired. His early dismissal highlighted a miscalculated risk. The plan was likely to disrupt the Indian spinners early, but Buttler put too much at stake too soon, given the significance of his wicket. Before this semi-final, the England openers had accounted for 47.3% of their team runs, the second highest for any team. However, both Salt and Buttler were back in the pavilion within the first five overs, leaving England in a precarious position.

Jonny Bairstow, struggling to adapt, re-lived his red-ball nightmares against Axar Patel in the white-ball format. Attempting to open up the off side, he was clean bowled, failing to execute effectively. This wicket marked a rapid collapse for England, with three wickets falling in 13 balls for just nine runs. Bairstow’s dismissal highlighted the team’s poor execution as they aimed to dominate early but fell short. England found themselves already in a dire situation, and India capitalized on this momentum.

Rohit Sharma then applied relentless pressure, deploying nine consecutive overs of spin in the middle phase of the game. The spin trio of Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, and Ravindra Jadeja collectively tightened the noose around England’s batting lineup. They claimed four more wickets as England crumbled from 39/3 to 86/8. Kuldeep impressed with figures of 3/19 in his four overs, while Axar, earning the Player of the Match award, finished with 3/23. Jadeja contributed with three economical overs, conceding only 16 runs. India’s spinners, exploiting the conditions perfectly, dismantled England’s batting order.

This decisive strategy left England on their knees, unable to recover. The relentless spin attack ensured that India maintained control throughout, leading to a comprehensive and convincing victory. Rohit Sharma led by example, forging a crucial partnership with Suryakumar Yadav that set the tone for India’s innings. The duo added 73 runs off 50 balls for the third wicket, skillfully balancing respect for the conditions with maintaining a high tempo.

They handled Adil Rashid with confidence and capitalized on England’s inefficient bowling, ensuring the momentum stayed with India. As the innings progressed, Axar Patel, Ravindra Jadeja, and Hardik Pandya built on the solid foundation laid by the Mumbai pair. They contributed 50 runs between them in just 28 balls, accelerating the scoring rate and setting a challenging target for England. Their late-order surge ensured that India ended their innings on a high note.

See Also: T20 WC 2024: Player Analysis: How did Rohit Sharma decimate Australia’s bowling attack?

In a thrilling encounter between Delhi Capitals (DC) and Rajasthan Royals (RR) in Match 56 of the Indian Premier League 2024 at Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi, left-arm spinner Kuldeep Yadav emerged as the hero for DC with a match-winning performance. Kuldeep’s exceptional figures of 2/25 in four overs played a crucial role in DC’s 20-run victory over RR, propelling them to the fifth spot on the points table.

Former India fast bowler Varun Aaron showered praise on Kuldeep for his outstanding display, particularly highlighting his double-wicket 18th over, where he picked up the crucial wickets of Donovan Ferreira and Ravichandran Ashwin while conceding just four runs.

“Kuldeep was absolutely phenomenal”

Aaron credited DC captain Rishabh Pant for exhibiting trust in Kuldeep’s abilities during the pressure-laden death overs, a decision that ultimately paid dividends for the team.

“Kuldeep was absolutely phenomenal. He was my player of the match as well because to do those kinds of things in that situation, in those conditions, is really not easy. Those two wickets in the 17th over, we must also give credit to Rishabh Pant because that was a brave call. You can shy away from it and give it to your fast bowler, but Rishabh Pant took that gamble and gave it to Kuldeep, and he delivered like he said in the post-match presentation,” said Varun Aaron.

Kuldeep’s impact upon team

Kuldeep’s remarkable form in the IPL 2024 season continued, as he showcased his prowess with the ball once again. With 14 wickets to his name from nine innings at an impressive average of 20.50 and an economy rate of 8.20, Kuldeep has been a key contributor to DC’s success. His standout performances include a four-wicket haul against Sunrisers Hyderabad and a match-winning spell of 3/20 against Lucknow Super Giants.

See Also: Sanju Samson fined for dissent post tight boundary catch by hope – Cricket Winner

Following their victory against RR, DC now stands in fifth place on the points table, having secured six wins from 12 matches and accumulating 12 points. With two crucial games remaining against Royal Challengers Bangalore and Lucknow Super Giants, DC aims to continue their winning momentum to solidify their position in the playoffs race.

IPL 2024 has witnessed a dynamic shift in the dynamics between bowlers and batters, with the resurgence of big-hitting and record team totals. Amidst this landscape, Kuldeep Yadav sheds light on the mental challenges bowlers face and the importance of maintaining courage and confidence.

Kuldeep Yadav’s Insights: Courage Amidst Challenges

Speaking at a recent press event in Delhi, Kuldeep emphasizes the need for bowlers to exhibit courage in the face of relentless attacks by batters. He underscores that bowlers have ample opportunities to take wickets, even in high-scoring encounters. Teams in IPL 2024 are adopting aggressive strategies, particularly in the powerplay overs, aiming to maximize run-scoring opportunities. Kuldeep observes a shift from cautious batting to aggressive intent, challenging bowlers to adapt and showcase resilience.

See Also: Hardik Pandya ignites hope among fans ahead of T20 WC

“Every team is now trying to attack in the powerplay and score as many runs as possible. It slows down a bit in the middle overs because of the open field, so the batters are playing more freely in the powerplay. Those days are gone when teams used to target 45-50 runs in the powerplay. But I think the bowlers must show more courage. If a batter goes for the attack, then a bowler also has more chances of taking wickets,” Kuldeep said at a press event in Delhi recently.

Jasprit Bumrah: Setting the Standard

Jasprit Bumrah is a prime example of bowler dominance in IPL 2024, combining wicket-taking prowess with impeccable economy rates. His ability to dictate terms to batters exemplifies the mental stronghold bowlers can establish on the field.

“I feel that the bowlers are trying more to read the batters’ mind instead of sticking to their strengths. They are trying to bowl where the batter looks a little weak. But I think a bowler should understand his strengths and back his strengths. You can see Jasprit Bumrah, who backs his strengths. The way he bowls, any batter is on the back foot. He dominates the batters mentally. All these things become very important.”

Kuldeep Yadav’s Performance and Perspective

While Kuldeep’s stats may not reflect Bumrah’s dominance, his performances highlight his resilience and adaptability. Despite challenges, Kuldeep remains a vital asset for his team, contributing with crucial wickets and valuable insights.

Kuldeep attributes his growing confidence to his evolving approach towards bowling. He emphasizes the importance of self-belief and understanding one’s strengths, echoing Bumrah’s approach to dominating batters mentally.

“If you are not confident then you will be in a defensive mindset,” he said. “On the other hand, if you are confident, then you are ready to bowl even in the powerplay. I am now ready for all the challenges and always look to take wickets. My self-confidence has increased, and I have a lot of faith in my skills. I see how the batter is batting and how I have to bowl to him. I think where should I bowl to him so that he has a little difficulty in hitting.

“Sometimes you can get hit even on good balls, like it happened to me during the match against Sunrisers Hyderabad. [Heinrich] Klaasen and Abhishek hit sixes on good balls. But I believed in my skills, and I also got wickets that day. Now I enjoy my bowling more and I have learned all this from experience.”

Kuldeep’s Contribution Beyond Bowling

Beyond his bowling prowess, Kuldeep’s dedication to improving his batting skills showcases his versatility as a cricketer. Influenced by Rohit Sharma’s guidance, Kuldeep’s commitment to batting adds depth to his role within the team.

“Rohit bhai does not talk to me much about bowling because I am doing what he wants from me with the ball,” Kuldeep said. “He was concerned about my batting. He told me to improve my batting. I worked on it during the Test series against England [at home earlier this year] and he was impressed by my hard work. He used to be with me in the nets and speak to me about the nuances of batting. This helped me a lot and now I am enjoying my batting as much as my bowling.”

As the T20 World Cup approaches, Kuldeep Yadav’s performance becomes crucial for Team India. With expectations riding high, Kuldeep aims to deliver impactful performances both with the ball and the bat, further solidifying his position in the squad.

DC spinner Kuldeep Yadav has shared his feelings about his days at Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), saying they still hurt him. Kuldeep had a tough time at the franchise, facing criticism for his bowling and eventually being dropped from the team. During 2019-2021, he struggled with poor form and injuries, which affected his confidence.

However, things turned around when he joined Delhi Capitals (DC) under the leadership of Rishabh Pant. Kuldeep made a strong comeback in the IPL, showing great performance since the 2022 season. He has taken 41 wickets in 33 matches, proving his worth as a spinner.

“In KKR, I needed guidance but now I don’t need it, as now I dictate terms. In 2019, Mahi bhai (MS Dhoni, his national team mentor) had retired that year and I needed guidance. The idea that I have now, has come with experience,” Kuldeep said.

“I still regret my time in KKR…”

Reflecting on his time at KKR, Kuldeep admitted to regrets about his lack of maturity back then. He was often criticized for bowling too slowly, which affected the effectiveness of his spin deliveries.

“I still regret my time in KKR (from 2016-2020) and feel whatever I am doing now, wish I could have done it back then,” Kuldeep added.

“It still hurts me that had I worked on those skills back then, I could have dominated even more.”

Despite the challenges, Kuldeep has become a key player for DC, often bowling in difficult situations like powerplay overs. He attributes his success to facing challenges head-on and learning from his mistakes.

Kuldeep shares his journey from regrate to success  

“But it didn’t happen back then as experience is something that you get only when you play a lot. When you encounter failure in life, then only you learn and now I am more confident about my skills and at the same time respectful of the fact that opposition can be good too,” the spinner said.

“Back in the day, I didn’t do (respect opposition) that. I believed in my skills but then at the same time you need to understand how the batter is playing and that maturity has come, knowing my strength and where to bowl so that it is difficult to hit, and I am working on that,” Kuldeep further added.

See Also: Watch: KKR introduce new spinner from Afghanistan

While acknowledging his lack of experience at KKR, Kuldeep believes it has ultimately made him a better player. Over the years, he has developed maturity, which has positively impacted his performance on the field.

In the current IPL season of 2024, Kuldeep has been in excellent form, claiming 10 wickets in just 5 matches. He is now in contention for the prestigious purple cap, awarded to the tournament’s leading wicket-taker.

Hyderabad secured a decisive 67-run victory over Delhi, showcasing their prowess both with the bat and ball. Captain Pat Cummins led his team excellently, elevating them from fourth to second in the standings and marking their fifth win of the season. Despite setting a formidable total early in the game, Hyderabad knew the job was only half done. The venue’s short boundaries could have easily tipped the scales in favor of the chasing team, Delhi.

Recognizing this, Hyderabad’s bowlers stepped up to the challenge. They quickly dismissed Delhi’s opening batsmen, setting a tone of dominance that would persist throughout the innings. However, Jake Fraser-McGurk and Abishek Porel briefly threatened to swing momentum back towards Delhi with their aggressive batting.

Mayank Markande’s crucial breakthroughs in dismissing both Fraser-McGurk and Porel proved pivotal, stalling Delhi’s momentum and allowing Hyderabad to regain control. Following these key wickets, Pat Cummins and T Natarajan combined forces during the middle overs, effectively stifling Delhi’s batting lineup by cutting off their scoring opportunities.

Nitish Kumar Reddy also made valuable contributions with the ball, adding pressure. The coup de grâce was delivered by Natarajan, who tore through the tail-enders, finishing with an impressive 4 for 19 from his four overs, including a maiden. This not only represented his best-ever figures in T20 cricket but also sealed a comprehensive win for Hyderabad, highlighting their balanced and formidable squad depth.

See Also: IPL 2024: Player Analysis: Could Ravi Bishnoi’s T20 World Cup dream be fading away?

In-depth Analysis of Kuldeep Yadav’s Amazing Spell

Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma were in formidable form, pushing Sunrisers Hyderabad towards what seemed like a possible total surpassing 300 runs. Their aggressive approach had them dismantling the opposition’s bowling attack, with Kuldeep Yadav bearing the brunt of their assault, conceding 20 runs in his initial powerplay over. However, the game took a dramatic turn when Kuldeep was brought back in the seventh over.

Kuldeep’s reintroduction proved crucial as he quickly changed the momentum of the game. Within a span of five deliveries, he managed to dismiss Abhishek Sharma for a rapid 46 off 12 balls and Aiden Markram for just 1 run, effectively stalling the Sunrisers’ onslaught. Continuing his impactful spell, Kuldeep went on to claim the wicket of Travis Head, who had blasted 89 off 32 balls, in his third over.

Following Kuldeep’s pivotal over, Axar Patel capitalized on the shifted momentum by dismissing Heinrich Klaasen with the first ball of the subsequent over, further tightening the screws. This sequence of overs showcased a remarkable recovery by the bowlers, particularly Kuldeep, whose pivotal spell turned the game around for his team.

Thanks to the pivotal contributions from Kuldeep Yadav and Axar Patel, the Delhi Capitals were able to regain some control during the middle overs of the match. The Sunrisers Hyderabad, after a blistering start, were contained to 80 runs for 4 wickets in the middle phase, scoring at a rate of less than 9 runs per over. This marked a significant slowdown in their scoring pace, largely due to the effective bowling strategies implemented by the Capitals.

Kuldeep finished the match with commendable figures of 4/55, playing a crucial role in breaking down the Sunrisers’ top order. Axar Patel, on the other hand, complemented these efforts by delivering a tight spell of 1/29 in his allotted four overs, making him the most economical bowler for the Capitals with an economy rate of less than 10. These performances were instrumental in pulling the game back from the brink, helping the Capitals mitigate what could have been a much higher target.

Sunrisers Hyderabad clinched an impressive victory against Delhi Capitals by a whopping 67 runs, ascending from fourth to second place in the standings. The Sunrisers made history by posting a massive total of 266/7 at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi.

Travis Head gives an amazing start to the match

Travis Head spearheaded the Sunrisers’ charge with a remarkable 89 off just 32 balls, while Shahbaz Ahmed remained unbeaten on 59 off 29 deliveries. Abhishek Sharma also played a crucial role, contributing a rapid 46 off just 12 balls to propel Sunrisers to their formidable total.

Delhi Capitals faced the daunting task of chasing down 267 runs but got off to a strong start with Prithvi Shaw and David Warner at the crease. Jake Fraser-McGurk created history by smashing the fastest fifty for his franchise in just 15 balls, scoring 65 runs off 18 deliveries. However, despite Abishek Porel’s valiant effort of 42 runs, Delhi’s innings lost steam after his departure.

Tristan Stubbs and Rishabh Pant struggled to maintain the required run rate, with Pant’s lack of form proving detrimental to Delhi’s chase, ultimately resulting in their defeat. This setback halted Delhi’s momentum after two consecutive wins.

Kuldeep Yadav shows amazing bowling but the results turn

In the earlier stages of the match, Delhi Capitals opted to bowl first, but Sunrisers Hyderabad’s openers, Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma, dominated the Powerplay. Head’s explosive 89 propelled Sunrisers to a century in just five overs, marking the quickest team hundred in Indian T20 League history. Sunrisers also set a record with 125 runs in the Powerplay. Axar Patel emerged as Delhi’s most economical bowler, while Kuldeep Yadav made significant breakthroughs with four wickets.

See Also: Sunrisers Hyderabad beat Delhi Capitals by 67 runs

The match saw a flurry of action, with notable dismissals including Kuldeep Yadav’s breakthroughs against Abhishek Sharma, Aiden Markram, and Travis Head, along with Axar Patel’s dismissal of Heinrich Klaasen. Sunrisers Hyderabad set an imposing target of 267 runs for Rishabh Pant’s Delhi Capitals, ultimately securing a convincing victory by 67 runs.