The 20th match of the Delhi Premier League 2024 is currently being played at Arun Jaitley Stadium, featuring the East Delhi Riders and the Purani Delhi 6 teams. In an electrifying showdown, the openers from East Delhi Riders showcased extraordinary performance. Remarkably, both openers remained unbeaten until the end of the 20 overs, a phenomenon that is quite rare in T20 cricket. Their stellar partnerships catapulted the team to an impressive total, with both batters crossing the century mark.
East Delhi Riders Sets a New Benchmark
Winning the toss, Purani Delhi 6 opted to bowl first; however, this decision backfired spectacularly as the opening duo of Anuj Rawat and Simarjeet Singh from East Delhi Riders wreaked havoc on the bowling attack. The pair displayed class and aggression, contributing significantly to the scoreline. East Delhi Riders achieved a mammoth score of 241 runs without losing a wicket in their allotted 20 overs. This remarkable feat of not losing any wickets while racking up such a high score is a rarity in T20 formats, making it a memorable match.
Outstanding Centuries by the Openers
Wicketkeeper-batsman Anuj Rawat played a pivotal role, facing 66 balls and scoring an unbeaten 121 runs with an impressive strike rate of 183.33. He struck 6 fours and 11 sixes during his innings, illustrating his ability to dominate the bowlers. Notably, Anuj Rawat is associated with the Royal Challengers Bangalore in the IPL and honed his skills at the same academy as cricketing superstar Virat Kohli.
Simarjeet Singh matched Rawat’s fervor, scoring an explosive 108 runs off just 57 balls, achieving a strike rate of 189.47. His innings included 7 boundaries and 9 sixes, marking a stellar performance that kept the opposition on their toes throughout the match.
Challenges Faced by Purani Delhi 6 Bowlers
The bowlers of Purani Delhi 6 faced a daunting challenge during the innings, employing six bowlers in a bid to stem the run flow. Senior bowler Lalit Yadav initiated the bowling attack but ended up conceding 41 runs in his 4 overs, resulting in an economy rate of 10.25. Unfortunately, this was the best economy rate among all bowlers, as the rest fared worse, with most exceeding an economy rate of 11. Notably, Dev Kashyap emerged as the most expensive bowler, leaking 39 runs in just 2 overs.
| Player | Runs Scored | Balls Faced | Strike Rate | Fours | Sixes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anuj Rawat | 121* | 66 | 183.33 | 6 | 11 |
| Simarjeet Singh | 108* | 57 | 189.47 | 7 | 9 |
Conclusion
The match not only showcased exceptional performances from the East Delhi Riders’ openers but also highlighted the challenges faced by the bowlers of Purani Delhi 6. This encounter is bound to be remembered for the incredible batting display and sets a high standard for future matches in the league.
