IPL 2024: ASHWIN TAKES THREE WICKETS BUT PACERS ALLOW DELHI CAPITALS POST 221/8 AGAINST RR IN MUST-WIN CLASH

NEW DELHI: Veteran off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin caused trouble for Delhi Capitals with wickets in successive overs, while pacer Avesh Khan struggled to contain runs as the hosts posted 221 for eight in their crucial contest against Rajasthan Royals in the Indian Premier League (IPL) in New Delhi on Tuesday.

If not for some clever bowling by Ashwin and fellow off-spinner Riyan Parag during the middle overs, DC might have posted more runs on the board.

Young Australian batter Jake Fraser-McGurk continued his excellent form with a brisk 50 off just 20 balls, while Abhishek Porel contributed a solid 65 off 36 deliveries. Tristan Stubbs added a quick 41 off 20 balls, but skipper Rishabh Pant (15) did not contribute much with the bat.

Rajasthan Royals' pacers Trent Boult and Sandeep Singh employed a hit-the-deck approach and largely succeeded in restricting the home openers from freely swinging their bats.

The initial boundaries were largely well-timed drives and lofted shots in the 'V' space.

Fraser-McGurk grew restless and began to throw his bat around. The Australian gradually got his rhythm and was harsh on Avesh, who he blasted for 28 runs, plundering four fours and two sixes in the fourth over of the innings to complete his half-century in just 19 balls.

As fate would have it, Fraser-McGurk had a soft dismissal when he hit a full-toss from Ashwin straight to cover fielder Donovon Ferreira. Shai Hope too departed soon in a rather unfortunate fashion. Porel hit Sandeep straight, the ball touched the bowler's hand before crashing into the stumps, and caught the West Indian outside the crease.

Yuzvendra Chahal (1/48 in 4 overs) began with a slightly fullish length and was hammered for six by Porel. Parag, though, did a great job with his off-spin as he managed to keep the batters quiet.

Ashwin returned and got rid of Axar Patel, who had just hit Parag for a maximum.

Porel though kept going strong and completed his fifty while Avesh continued to bleed runs. In his two overs, he conceded 42 runs.

RR captain Sanju Samson handed the ball to Ashwin and he delivered yet again, this time sending back Porel with a back of the length ball that the southpaw could not connect well.

The home skipper didn't do much, throwing his wicket away with a sweep shot off Chahal. DC gathered 65 runs from the last five overs.

(With PTI inputs)