RR vs DC Highlights IPL 2020: Delhi Capitals Thrash Rajasthan Royals By 46 Runs

DC Win By 46 Runs! Complete dominance by Delhi Capitals as they go back at the pinnacle of the team standings. Kagiso Rabada picks up the last in the form of Varun Aaron as Rajasthan Royals gets bundled out for mere 138 runs. They never really looked in the chase and wickets fell at regular intervals. Though Rahul Tewatia played some big shots in the end overs, his efforts could only minimize the margin of defeat.

The Men in Pink are seven down now as the result of the game looks a mere formality. Though Rahul Tewatia is still on the crease, the saying is 'lighting doesn't strike twice at same place. ' Also, the likes of Kagiso Rabada and Anrich Nortje are breathing fire with the ball. 78 needed of 24 balls.

OUT! Resilience of Yashasvi Jaiswal comes to and end as Rajasthan Royals have lost half of their side now. It was a slower delivery from Marcus Stoinis which pierced Jaiswal's defense and the ball smashes the leg stump. Delhi Capitals are totally in command and their victory looks inevitable. Jaiswal b Stoinis 34(36)

OUT! Sanju Samson's love affair with Sharjah doesn't work this time as he departs after scoring five off 9 balls, identical to Rishabh Pant's status in the scorecard. Marcus Stoinis gets his first wicket on the night. Samson went for a big shot but didn't get the elevation and Shimron Hetmyer takes an easy catch at boundary ropes. Samson c Hetmyer b Stoinis 5(9)

OUT!  Shimron Hetyer takes a fabulous catch as RR skipper Steve Smith departs. The Australian star flicked a delivery off Anrich Nortje but failed to get the required elevation. Hetmyer came running in from the cow corner boundary rope and completed a sensational catch. Second soldier down for Royals. DC totally in command. Smith c Hetmyer b Nortje 24(17)

Yashasvi Jaiswal and Steve Smith have steadied the ship after the early departure of Jos Buttler.  Though the former has taken a backseat, the skipper has been aggressive and found boundaries on multiple occasions. However, the required run rate has gone over 10 and the Men in Pink must be aware of the fact.    

OUT! Shikhar Dhawan makes up for his batting failure with a sensational catch. Jos Buttler goes without doing much damage as Delhi Capitals players are ecstatic. Buttler sweeps to find his third boundary but Shikhar Dhawan took a sensational catch at square leg to give his side the first breakthrough. And guess who took Buttler's wicket! It was Ravichandran Ashwin! Buttler c Dhawan b Ashwin 13(8)

The players are back in the middle as the chase gets underway. Yashasvi Jaiswal opens Rajasthan Royals with Jos Buttler and the duo will have the onus to make a blistering start. On the other hand, Purple-Cap holder Kagiso Rabada starts proceedings with the ball.

Wickets fell regularly but the scoring rate was never on the lower side! This is the summary of the first innings as Delhi Capitals post a challenging total of 184/8 in their allotted 30 overs. Shimron Hetmyer was Delhi's top-scorer  with 45 runs while Marcus Stoinis made 39. For Rajasthan Royals, Jofra Archer was the pick of the bowlers with three wickets. The total is indeed not a small one but RR batsmen must back themselves to go over the line as they will come out to bat at their favorite Shrarjah track. Having said that, DC have Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje, Ravichandran Ashwin and Axar Patel in the ranks.

OUT! Shimron Hetmyer departs but not before scoring 45 runs off just 24 balls. The southpaw rained fours and sixes all over the Sharjah Stadium and put his side on a commanding position. However, three overs are still left in the innings and with the top six back in the hut, Rajasthan Royals have a great chance to pull things back.

OUT! Just what the doctor didn't order for Delhi Capitals. Marcus Stoinis departs as Delhi have now lost half their side. It was a wide delivery from Rahul Tewatia which ignited a big shot from the Australian dasher. Stoinis miscues the shot as Steve Smith takes an easy catch at cover point. DC are in critical stage now. RR on Command! Stoinis c Smith b Rahul Tewatia 39(30)

Though DC have lost wickets regularly, the scoring rate has never been down. Marcus Stoinis and Shimron Hetmyer continue to attack as the scoring rate is still over eight. With seven overs left, Delhi are all set for late flourish.

OUT! What a bizarre way to get dismissed! Rishabh Pant is run out in an extremely terrible way. Marcus Stoinis guided the ball straight to Manan Vohra, who was standing at mid-wicket, as there was no run whatsoever. However, Pant, without seeing the ball, ran to the striker's end and got dismissed in a terrible fashion. DC are four down now! They badly need a substantial partnership. Pant run out ((sub)Vohra/Rahul Tewatia) 5(9)

OUT! After losing two early wickets, the last thing DC wanted was a run out and they have got exactly that. Skipper Shreyas Iyer's short stay comes to an end courtesy a brilliant throw from Yashasvi Jaiswal, who was standing at extra-cover. What a night he's having on the field. DC have now lost three wickets inside powerplay. Shreyas Iyer run out (Jaiswal) 22(18)

OUT! Another one bites the dust and its Prithvi Shaw this time. The youngster played some delightful shots and looked in great touch but Jofra Archer restricts him from playing a significant knock. It was a quick short delivery which Shaw sent straight up in the air courtesy a miscued shot. Archer set himself under the ball and took a good catch. Second wicket for the England star. Prithvi Shaw c and b Jofra Archer 19(10)

OUT! Shikhar Dhawan's lukewarm season continues as he departs after scoring just five runs. He went for a flick against Jofra Archer but finds Yashasvi Jaiswal at mid-wicket. It was indeed a good catch by the youngster. Big Blow for Delhi Capitals early in the innings. Dhawan c Jaiswal b Jofra Archer 5(4)

The players are out in the middle as the action gets underway. Prithvi Shaw and Shikhar Dhawan while Varun will start the proceedings with the ball. It will be interesting to see what the pacer can do in his first game of the season.

Rajasthan Royals Playing XI: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Jos Buttler (WK), Steven Smith (C), Sanju Samson, Mahipal Lomror, Rahul Tewatia, Jofra Archer, Andrew Tye, Shreyas Gopal, Kartik Tyagi, Varun Aaron

Delhi Capitals Playing XI: Prithvi Shaw, Shikhar Dhawan, Shreyas Iyer (C), Rishabh Pant (WK), Marcus Stoinis, Shimron Hetmyer, Ravichandran Ashwin, Axar Patel, Harshal Patel, Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje

Toss: The news from the center is that Rajasthan Royals skipper Steve Smith has won the toss and has elected to bowl first at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium. Two changes for Men in Pink - Andrew Tye and Varun Aaron get their first game of the season as Jaydev Unadkat and Tom Curran make way for them. On the other hand, Delhi Capitals will continue with their winning combination.