Jake Fraser-McGurk gave the Australian selectors further reason to doubt their decision not to pick him for the T20 World Cup as he plundered a 19-ball 50 to lead the Delhi Capitals to a 20-run victory in their IPL match against the Rajasthan Royals at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi on Tuesday.
Fraser-McGurk’s contribution led to an imposing total of 221-8 and, despite Royals’ captain Sanju Samson’s magnificent 86 from 46 balls (8x4, 6x6), the visitors fell comfortably short on 201-8.
The home side emerge victorious in tonight's run-fest here in Delhi 💥
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) May 7, 2024
And with that win, Delhi Capitals move to number 5⃣ on the Points Table 🔥🔥
Scorecard ▶️ https://t.co/nQ6EWQGoYN#TATAIPL | #DCvRR pic.twitter.com/vQvWMSk5lt
Twenty-two-year-old McGurk plundered seven fours and three sixes including 28 off seamer Avesh Khan’s first over which included four fours and two sixes.
Avesh finished with the bruising analysis of 2-0-42-1.
Fellow opener Abishek Porel was made to look almost pedestrian with his fine 65 from 36 balls with an identical boundary count but Tristan Stubbs ensured the flying start was not wasted when the innings could have stuttered at 150-5.
The in-form South African belted 41 from only 20 balls with a trio of fours and sixes before being trapped lbw by Sandeep Sharma.
Tristan Stubbs with an entertaining finish for the hosts 💥
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) May 7, 2024
He walks back after scoring 41 off just 20 👏👏
Watch the match LIVE on @JioCinema and @StarSportsIndia 💻📱#TATAIPL | #DCvRR pic.twitter.com/0Cbq9CRufe
Ravichandran Ashwin (3-24) was comfortably the pick of the bowlers although there was some fortune with his first wicket – off his first ball – when Fraser-McGurk spliced a thigh-high full-toss straight to cover.
The run-chase, as always with the Royals, depended on a significant contribution from Jos Buttler (19) but when he was bowled by Axar Patel they were always struggling.
Spinners are finally beginning to make their mark in the tournament as pitches show their ‘age’ and Delhi’s left arm wrist-spinner, Kuldeep Yadav, was outstanding with 2-25 from four overs as was left armer, Axar, with 1-25 from three.
For his economical spell of 2/25, Kuldeep Yadav bags the Player of the Match Award 🏆
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) May 7, 2024
Scorecard ▶️ https://t.co/nQ6EWQGoYN#TATAIPL | #DCvRR pic.twitter.com/XQkUIZ08O8
The visiting Royals would have returned to the top of the log with a ninth win from 11 matches if they had triumphed today but now sit alongside the Kolkata Knight Riders who also have eight wins from their 11 matches played.
Both are almost certainly guaranteed a place in the playoff matches already.
Delhi, on the other hand, have kept their hopes of a playoff place alive but will almost certainly have to win their final two games in the group stage to finish in the top four.
DELHI CAPITALS: Jake Fraser-McGurk, Abishek Porel, Shai Hope, Rishabh Pant (captain/wkt), Tristan Stubbs, Gulbadin Naib, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Mukesh Kumar, Ishant Sharma, Khaleel Ahmed
RAJASTHAN ROYALS: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sanju Samson (captain/wkt), Riyan Parag, Donovan Ferreira, Rovman Powell, Shubham Dubey, Ravichandran Ashwin, Trent Boult, Avesh Khan, Sandeep Sharma, Yuzvendra Chahal