Shreyas Iyer and Rishabh Pant scored fifties as Delhi Daredevils recovered from a poor start to post a challenging 174 for 5 against Royal Challengers Bangalore. Pant remained till the last over, scoring 85 to help his side finish strongly.
Put in to bat first, Daredevils were off to a shaky start. Jason Roy and Gautam Gambhir found it tough to get going. However, they could not manage to dig in and score big. Gautam Gambhir was the first to depart after scoring just 3 off 10 balls. Roy also joined Gambhir in the tent soon after scoring 5 off 16 balls.
Rishabh Pant and Shreyas Iyer then steadied the ship but they too found it tough to score at a good pace. At the end of the powerplay, the scoreboard was reading a modest 28 for 2. Royal Challengers kept things tight even after the powerplay and as a result the run-rate remained less than six at the end of 10 overs. Daredevils were 58 for 2 after 10 which is the lowest score in the first 10 overs of this season.
The duo broke the shackles from the 13th over. They collected 12 runs off that over before Iyer hit Washington Sundar for two sixes in the following over. However, in the same over, Sundar accounted for Iyer. The right-handed batsman scored 52 off 31 balls with the help of 4 fours and 3 sixes. At the end of the 13 overs, the score was 103 for 3. Delhi’s hopes of collecting quick runs then took a huge hit when Yuzvendra Chahal dismissed Glenn Maxwell for 4.
Pant soon reached his fifty off 34 balls with the help of 4 fours and 3 sixes. The southpaw then changed gears towards the end, playing some powerful shots to fire his side to a challenging total. He finished his innings on 85 off 48 balls. The knock was studded with 6 fours and 7 sixes.
Here is how Twitter reacted to the innings:
Rishabh Pant. Tell me if this kid isn’t special talent? Some serious six-hitting ability…. #RCBvDD #IPL
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) April 21, 2018
Big hitting Pant has ignited this game, leading DD from despair to very challenging score. @RCBTweets have match on hand! #ReinventYourGame
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) April 21, 2018
Ingenious, imperious batsman… Rishabh Pant !! Has been in terrific form since the start of 2018.. Did exceedingly well in Syed Mushtaq Trophy too earlier this year.. #RCBvDD #IPL2018 @RishabPant777
— Navneet Mundhra (@navneet_mundhra) April 21, 2018
If Dhoni is really an Indian he should retire watching Rishabh Pant live.
— EngiNerd. (@mainbhiengineer) April 21, 2018
My lord! Rishabh Pant has done something really special here. Also #DD is this contest now after that dismal powerplay #RCBvDD
— Gaurav Kapur (@gauravkapur) April 21, 2018
India has found the next Dhoni: Rishabh Pant
— Mohamed Zeeshan (@ZeeMohamed_) April 21, 2018
So much spin in Chinnaswamy???? ?? #RCBvDD #IPL
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) April 21, 2018
Rishabh Pant has that touch of Caribbean flair in his batting when set at the crease.#IPL2018 #RCBvDD
— Suneer (@suneerchowdhary) April 21, 2018
Let alone the fact that he’s a wicketkeeper, Rishabh Pant deserves to be in the Indian Team for his powerful batting and sheer consistency…#RCBvDD #ReinventYourGame
— The Lying Lama 2.0 (@KyaUkhaadLega) April 21, 2018
Youngsters Iyer & Pant led fine recovery for DD. Crucial phase of match. Breakthrough comes at crucial time for @RCBTweets #ReinventYourGame
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) April 21, 2018
One thing I like about Kohli is his passion for cricket, it's not easy to lead a team like RCB when you already know that you can't win it.
— EngiNerd. (@mainbhiengineer) April 21, 2018
i should better go to sleep. #RCBvDD pic.twitter.com/zl3FXmoLPB
— jyo (@Jyoti_45x) April 21, 2018
https://twitter.com/Sajjanlaunda/status/987710924277538816
https://twitter.com/SamreenRazzaqui/status/987695360729640962
The way RCB is bowling today, it clearly looks like they got something special from Virat Kohli after the last game.#RCBvDD
— Jaanvi ? (@ThatCric8Girl) April 21, 2018
“Sir Delhi Daredevils ke saamne achha karke kya milega ?” #RCBvDD pic.twitter.com/usmUOdNQg4
— The Lying Lama 2.0 (@KyaUkhaadLega) April 21, 2018
Delhi Daredevils has been the most consistent team in the last 5 years. They have consistently not reached the play-offs. #RCBvDD
— Sagar (@sagarcasm) April 21, 2018
#RCBvDD Gambhir best performance so far in Ipl 2018 pic.twitter.com/ybldujQG9l
— Lord Kejraowsky? (@iSankumar) April 21, 2018
https://twitter.com/Anupam183/status/987700797205966848
You and your brother the moment your parents enter the room. #RCBvDD #IPL pic.twitter.com/cNI6XHJETE
— Nikhil ? (@CricCrazyNIKS) April 21, 2018
**Today's Masterplan**: Let's All Pretend We're Disowned From Team And Playing Against #RCB#RCBvDD #RCBvsDD #DDvRCB #KKRvKXIP pic.twitter.com/0ey6cfhtYc
— Sir Jadeja fan (@SirJadeja) April 21, 2018