Delhi struggled to find footing against Hyderabad’s bowlers at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium.
A Tough Start for Delhi
Delhi’s batting line-up crumbled under the pressure, losing six wickets for just 62 runs. Karun Nair, Faf du Plessis, and Abhishek Porel fell to Pat Cummins, leaving Delhi reeling at 15/3. KL Rahul and Axar Patel also failed to make an impact, scoring just 10 and 6 runs respectively. Jaydev Unadkat and Harshal Patel claimed the wickets of Rahul and Axar, further denting Delhi’s chances.
A Late Surge
The tide turned when Yash Dhull walked in to bat with Delhi at 62/6, but it was actually Vipraj Singh and Tristan Stubbs who staged a mini-recovery. They added 33 runs for the seventh wicket before Vipraj was run out for 18. A few overs later Ashutosh Sharma joined Stubbs, and together they launched a counter-attack. Sharma scored 41 off 26 balls, hitting two fours and three sixes. Stubbs remained unbeaten on 41, having hit four fours. The pair added 66 runs off 45 balls, taking Delhi to a respectable total of 133/9.
The partnership between Ashutosh and Stubbs was a welcome respite for Delhi, who had been struggling to post a competitive score.
Hyderabad’s Bowling Effort
Cummins was the standout performer for Hyderabad, claiming three wickets while conceding just 19 runs in four overs. Jaydev Unadkat, Harshal Patel, and Eshan Malinga also chipped in with a wicket each, restricting Delhi’s scoring opportunities. As Delhi posted a total of 133/9, the stage is set for an intriguing contest.