Rishabh Pant showcased his leadership with a scintillating fifty, marking a remarkable comeback since his harrowing car accident, as Delhi Capitals triumphed over the Chennai Super Kings by 20 runs in Visakhapatnam.
Pant's captain's knock of 51 off 32 balls, complemented by David Warner's explosive 52, steered Delhi to a formidable total of 191-5. Despite being away from their home ground due to the upcoming general elections, the Chennai fans, predominantly represented, chanted fervently for their beloved captain, M.S. Dhoni, who responded with a dazzling unbeaten 37 off 16 balls.
In a spirited bowling performance, Delhi's bowlers restricted Chennai to 171-6, securing their first win of the season and halting Chennai's winning streak after two consecutive victories. Khaleel Ahmed's impressive figures of 2-21 earned him the man of the match award, while Mukesh Kumar contributed with three crucial wickets.
Reflecting on the victory, Pant emphasised the clinical performance of the bowlers, acknowledging the team's learning from previous mistakes. The opening partnership between Warner and Prithvi Shaw, amassing 93 runs, laid a strong foundation before Chennai's bowlers struck back, with Matheesha Pathirana claiming two wickets in a decisive over, including a stunning catch behind the stumps to dismiss Warner.
Pant's innings, though initially cautious, gained momentum towards the end as he showcased his trademark aggressive strokeplay, including a vintage one-handed flick for six. Pathirana, often likened to "Baby Malinga" for his bowling style reminiscent of Lasith Malinga, returned impressive figures of 3-31.
Pant's return to form was met with a standing ovation, marking his first IPL fifty since 2021, a poignant moment following his recovery from a horrific car accident in 2022. Chennai, under new leadership with Ruturaj Gaikwad at the helm, faced early setbacks but displayed resilience with Ajinkya Rahane and Daryl Mitchell's partnership. However, the loss of key wickets led to a collapse, sealing Delhi's victory.
Earlier in the day, Mohit Sharma's stellar bowling display, supported by David Miller's unbeaten 44, propelled the Gujarat Titans to a commanding win over Sunrisers Hyderabad. Gujarat's dominance at the Narendra Modi Stadium underscored their prowess in the tournament, leaving Hyderabad's skipper Pat Cummins reminiscing about past glories as the home team emerged victorious once again.
