Delhi Capitals return to top of Indian Premier League

Delhi Capitals returned to the top of the Indian Premier League with a 33-run victory over Rajasthan Royals, according to The Associated Press.

Delhi scored 154-6 after being asked to bat, its innings propelled by Shreyas Iyer’s 32-ball 43, captain Rishabh Pant’s run-a-ball 24 and Shimron Hetmyer’s 28 runs off 16 deliveries.

Rajasthan could only reach 121-6 in reply after collapsing to 6-2 in the second over and 48-4 in the 11th.
Rajasthan captain Sanju Samson restored stability to the innings with a 53-ball 70 not out.

“I thought the total was chasable but we lost too many wickets and weren’t able to get any momentum,” Samson said.

Anrich Nortje returned figures of 2-18 from four overs.

Delhi has 16 points from 10 games, two points more than second-placed Chennai Super Kings which has played a game less. Rajasthan has eight points from nine games.

In the second game, Punjab Kings beat last-placed Sunrisers Hyderabad by five runs at Sharjah Cricket Stadium.

Punjab moved to fifth place in the eight-team IPL after being put into bat and scoring 125-7, before containing Hyderabad to 120-7 in 20 overs.

Jason Holder was the biggest threat to Punjab, taking 3-19 with the ball and scoring 47 not out off 29 deliveries with the bat, including five sixes. But it wasn’t enough.

Hyderabad is out of playoff contention following its eighth defeat in nine games.