Delhi Capitals (DC) survived a nail-biting drama against Rajasthan Royals (RR) on Tuesday at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, despite opposition captain Sanju Samson’s single-handed threat to end the mighty chase. DC eventually managed to win by 20 runs to keep their IPL 2024 playoff chances alive, while RR suffered their second consecutive loss. With a crucial win, DC has toppled LSG and has climbed to the fifth spot.

Samson was the Royals’ lone warrior as they chased 222 runs for victory in Delhi. The right-arm batter arrived at the crease in the first over after Yashasvi Jaiswal (4) was dismissed early, and he began his aggressive knock in style, scoring 40 runs inside the powerplay. Samson received little support from the top order, with batters around him carving out cameos. Jos Butler departed for 19 while Riyan Parag and Shubham Dubey chipped in 27 and 25 respectively.

Samson was dismissed for 86 off 46. There was still hope for RR, with Rovman Powell (13) coming out as the visitors’ last batting chance, but he failed to make much of an impact and eventually lost the game. Kuldeep Yadav, Khaleel Ahmed, and Mukesh Kumar each bagged two wickets for DC.

Earlier, DC had a fiery start as its openers Jake Fraser-McGurk and Abishek Porel played incredible knocks to add 60 runs in 4 overs. Fraser-McGurk put on yet another sensational show, blasting a 19-ball 50. The Australian batter smashed Avesh Khan for 28 runs in an over. Porel departed after playing a blistering knock of 36-ball 65. DC lost regular wickets but Tristan Stubbs’ fine cameo of 41 helped the hosts to reach 221/8 in 20 overs. Ravichandran Ashwin starred with a three-wicket haul for RR.