JAIPUR, India – West Indies left-hander Shimron Hetmyer had little chance to make a big impression after an unbeaten 84 from Riyan Parag set up Rajasthan Royals for their second win in a row when they edged Delhi Capitals by 12 runs in the Indian Premier League on Thursday.
Hetmyer was not out on 14 and shared an unbroken sixth wicket stand of 43 with Parag, whose knock included seven fours and seven sixes from 45 balls and propelled Royals to 185 for five after they were put in to bat in the match at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium.
The partnership between Hetmyer and Parag was part of a salvage operation for the Royals after they limped to 31 for two at the close of the Power Play, and they wobbled further on 36 for three after England white-ball captain Jos Buttler was lbw to unorthodox left-arm wrist Kuldeep Yadav in the eighth over.
Chasing 186, the Capitals got off to a brisk start, but South Africa left-arm pacer Nandre Burger and leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal took two wickets apiece and led the Royals bowling in the Power Play and the middle overs respectively.
Capitals required 64 in the final five overs, and South Africa international Tristan Stubbs gave them hope with 44 not out and a 51-run, sixth wicket stand with Axar Patel, but pacer Avesh Khan bowled a fantastic final over to defend 17 and seal victory for the Royals.
The result meant the Royals are second on four points with two wins from their two matches, and the Capitals dropped to eighth in the 10-team table with no points after their second loss in a row.
CMC