IPL 2019 DC vs RR: Pant takes the cake as DC beat RR despite scintillating Rahane ton

Bails incident spurs up another controversy in Jaipur

Even before starting the season Delhi were looking concerned about not having the power of someone like Andre Russell or Pollard for the finishing duties. But Rishabh Pant, you beauty! He just ensured Delhi do not feel that void anymore.

The first 5 games of the season were difficult for DC but boy have they made up in style. With Monday's comprehensive 6 wicket triumph over Rajasthan, the visitors have moved to the top of the table with a better run rate than CSK, the other in-form side in 2019.

Batting at a strike rate of 216 the left-handed dynamite Pant led the Capitals to their 6^th victory in the last 7 games. After a string of below-average performances, the Southpaw came handsomely to the party on Monday with a breathtaking knock involving 4 towering sixes.

The partnership of 84 runs in just 47 balls between Shaw and Pant eventually helped in tilting scales in the visitor's favour. Pant was in full flow as he took the game deep when Prithvi Shaw was going steady and played the perfect support cast.

There was yet another incident of the cherry striking the stumps and the bails not falling. What do you say if a full toss from Jofra Archer is unable to remove the bails? Who knows if that could have turned the game given what we have seen what a flurry of wickets can do to the team morale. Dhawal Kulkarni had a disastrous day at office conceding 51 of his quota.

Earlier Jaipur witnessed what we haven't seen this IPL so far, the Rahane fireworks. You read that right fella. After Delhi decided to chase and the wicket aided for ample strokeplay, Smith and Rahane brought up a century partnership off just 58 balls. Rahane's knock was a story of 2 phases. First where he would accept the blame for running out Sanju Samson.

Image credit: Twitter @IPL

After struggling badly for his timing and being dropped on 16 he found a sense of exemplary timing and started striking at over 150 soon. Chris Morris was dealt severely as the lanky pacer conceded 41 off his 4 overs. Despite a fantastic platform, Rajasthan could only score 56 of their last 7 overs which eventually came back to haunt them.

Post-match comment

Ricky Ponting the DC coach looked extremely delighted that his backing for Pant has finally yielded some fruit. A player of the quality of Ponting saying good things about you can definitely boost up the confidence which was on display in quantity on Monday night.

Game-changing moment: Jaipur is no longer a RR den and the onslaught by Pant has to be the deciding factor here. Shreyas Gopal who has outfoxed many came in for serious hammering conceding 47 off his 4 overs with many deliveries not finding the desired spot.

Interesting Stats

1. Riyan Parag became the second youngest to pick a wicket in the IPL as Shreays Iyer perished in efforts to keep up with the scoring rate.

2. Meanwhile, Ashton Turner's horrific time with the willow continued on Monday as well. He set up a new record by scoring his third consecutive duck this season. He became the first player to score a zero in five consecutive T20 innings.

Brief scores: RR - 191/6 (Rahane 105 off 63) (Rabada 2 for 37) lost to DC – 193/4 (Rishabh Pant 78 off 36) (Parag 1 for 25) by 6 wickets