GT vs DC Highlights Match 44 – IPL 2023: Bowlers, Aman Khan fifty helps Delhi Capitals stay alive

DC bowlers beautifully complemented a gritty maiden IPL fifty from uncapped Aman Khan as David Warner-led side kept its playoff hopes alive with a tense win by stealing the game from the jaws of defeat.

Bowling impeccable lengths, Mohammed Shami (4/11 in four overs) was lethal with the new ball as he knocked the wind out of the Capitals’ top order, as Gujarat Titans restricted DC to 130 for eight after being asked to bowl.

Aman (51 off 44) waged a lone battle, putting some much-need runs on the board. He added 50 off 54 balls with Axar Patel (27) and 53 off 27 balls with Ripal Patel (23).

In response, Gujarat Titans faltered in their approach in the tricky run chase of 131 and could only muster 125 for the loss of 6 wickets in full 20 overs. Captain Hardik Pandya remained unbeaten on 59 off 53 balls but to his and everybody else’s shock the set batter failed to close the game.

Bowling impeccable lengths, Shami (4/11 in four overs) was lethal with the new ball as he knocked the wind out of the Capitals’ top order. Aman waged a lone battle for Delhi, scoring 51 off 44 balls. His innings was studded with three hits to the fence and as many over it.

After opting to bat, Delhi once again suffered a dramatic collapse, losing five wickets for 23 runs inside five overs and at the centre of it all was Shami.

The veteran Indian pacer set the tone of the match as he struck off the first ball of the game to get Phil Salt for a golden duck. A horrible mix-up between young Priyam Garg (10) and skipper David Warner (2) cost the visitors the wicket of the in-form Australian in the second over.

Rilee Rossouw (8) was next to depart as Shami struck once again. The veteran Indian induced slight movement away from Rossouw. An outside edge led the ball to straight into the hands of wicketkeeper Wriddhiman Saha’s gloves as Delhi fell to 16 for three.

With Shami bowling a tight opening spell, captain Hardik Pandya decided to continue bowling the pacer and the move paid dividends. Shami continued his wicket-taking streak in his third over, snaring two in his final over.

The Indian bowled a wobble seam delivery, tempting Manish Pandey (1) to drive it but the late movement meant the ball found the edge of the bat and Saha completed a stunning one-handed catch diving to his right.

Shami’s final victim of the night was Garg with Saha yet again completing another catch behind the stumps.

With half the side back in the dugout, the Capitals, who are at the bottom of the points table and need to win this game to stay alive in the race for the playoffs, were tottering at 28 for five at the end of the Powerplay.

Axar Patel (27), who was promoted up the order, and Aman did stem the rot with some much-needed runs but pacer Mohit Sharma (2/33) broke the 50-run partnership as he snared the wicket of the Delhi vice-captain.

Aman punished Mohit Sharma in the 16th over, hitting a boundary past short third and a flat six over fine leg as DC inched closer to the 100-run mark. The uncapped Aman brought up a much-needed half-century in 41 balls.

(With PTI inputs)