IPL: Delhi Daredevils stun Rajasthan Royals in a last-ball thriller

Live updates of IPL T20 encounter between Delhi Daredevils and Rajasthan Royals.

Suyash Srivastava

New Delhi: Youngster Ajinkya Rahane couldn’t believe to what happened off the last ball as he had left no stone unturned to register a win for Rajasthan Royals. The Rajasthan dugout was shattered and the home crowd went berserk as Owais Shah was run-out off the last ball of the innings and Delhi registered an incredible 1-run win over the visitors. Live Score » I Points table » Rajasthan needed just 15 runs from the last 12 balls and it was Morne Morkel’s penultimate over that changed around things for the Daredevils. Morkel gave away just three runs off the first five balls and scalped Brad Hodge off the final delivery which reignited enthusiasm into the home crowd. Rajasthan needed 12 runs to win off the last over. As two singles came off the first three balls, Rahane smashed a six over point and then took a couple off the next ball to keep Rajasthan in the hunt. Rahane couldn’t connect with the last ball as he ran for a bye and a direct throw from Naman Ojha, sealed the victory for Delhi. Earlier in the innings, Virender Sehwag was once again on rampage as he scored 63 runs from just 39 balls. He also became the first cricketer in IPL history to score 4 consecutive half-centuries. Till the time Sehwag was there on the crease, Delhi were up for a big score but the skipper was out to a terrific catch by Ashok Menaria. At the end of the first innings Sehwag reckoned that 152 was a formidable total as it was a slow track and Rajasthan will struggle during their chase. Rajasthan openers Ajinkya Rahane and Rahul Dravid once again proved why they are the best opening pair of IPL 2012. Both of them added 99 runs for the first wicket before Dravid was caught by Ajit Agarkar at long-on. Dravid who was suffering from cramps once again contributed with a score of 40 runs from 38 balls. Dravid was back to the pavilion in the 14th over but the home crowd went silent as Brad Hodge who came into bat at number three looked in a hurry as he produced boundaries every now and then. The Australian scored an 18-ball 22 before perishing in the penultimate over. The one-run victory would for sure hurt the Rajasthan Royals who dominated in the game for 38 overs. It was a heartbreak for Rahane who remained unbeaten on 86. Virender Sehwag went on to receive the orange cap as he surpassed Chris Gayle’s 336 runs. The swashbuckling opener however could not hold onto it for long, as Rahane, who has been sensational this season, went on to get the cap and he now owns it with 416 runs in 9 matches. Delhi continue to be the table-toppers with 14 points from 9 matches.