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In the 22nd match of the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021, Royal Challengers Bangalore (🎐RCB) defeated Delhi Capitals (DC) in the last-ball thriller by one run at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
Chasing 172, DC started terribly as they lost their three wickets for just 47 runs. Then, Marcus Stoinis and Rishabh Pant tried to stabilise the innings after adding 45 runs for the fourth wicket before Harshal P🍰atel removed Stoinis for 22.
However, Pant remained alive at his end and took the game to the final over, along with Shimron Hetmyer at the other side. The pair p𓆏ut together an u🍃nbeaten stand of 78 runs for the fifth wicket and fell short of only one run to victory.
Both Pant (58 no) and Hetmyer (53 no) scored respective half-centuries to take thei🤪r side to almost pull off a miraculous win.
Earlier, RCB’s crisis man AB de Villiers once again came for the rescue of his𒁃 side, scoring an unbeaten 42-ball 75 to power RCB to 171/5 in their allotted 20 overs. The former🎐 South African skipper smashed three fours and five sixes at a phenomenal strike rate of 178.57.
De Villiers hit 22 runs off the final🐷 over bowled by DC all-rounder Stoinis that included three sixes to take RCB to a competitive total. The RCB s🤪uperstar also became the second overseas and the sixth player overall to reach the 5000-run milestone. He also became the fastest to score 5000 runs in the history of the cash-rich league.
Fastest to 5000 runs in IPL (in terms of balls faced):
- 3288 – AB de Villiers*
- 3554 – David Warner
- 3620 – Suresh Raina
- 3817 – Rohit Sharma
- 3827 – Virat Kohli
- 3956 – Shikhar Dhawan
Apart from De Villiers, rookie Rajat Patidar (31) and all-rounder Glenn Maxwell (25 off 20 balls) made valuable contributions.
For the capitals, Ishant Sharma (1/26), Kagiso Rabada (1/38), Amit Mishra (1/27), Axar Patel (1/33), Avesh Khan (1/24) all picked one wicket apiece.
Here is how Twitter reacted:
What a nail biting game it ⛎was. Well done congratulations on winning this game and becoming number one on the table.
— Vinay Kumar R (@Vinay_Kumar_R)
Legend my idol 👌👌
— David Warner (@davidwarner31)
Kieron Pollard, Andre Russell and now Nicholas Pooran and Shimron Hetmyer: West Indies's production of batsmen who can attack in the middle overs is incredible.
While other countries ♕have ꦕto convert top-order batsmen to the middle order, WI are brimming with middle over hitters
— Tim Wigmore (@timwig)
Not often do we see 2 batsmen from the chasing side both unbeaten on 50+ and the team still losing. Hetmyer was brilliant, t🌌houghtꦯ Pant could have accelerated a little earlier, but will take the 2 points. AB De Villiers brilliance proving to be the difference
— Venkatesh Prasad (@venkateshprasad)
There are few constants in life. for is on🦋🌸e of them.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha)
Normally if Plan 'A' doesn't work, you would implement a Plan 'B' but have with them 'AB'D. It's unbelievable how he is arguably better than most players at their peak even at the age of 37 🐐
— Hemang Badani (@hemangkbadani)
DC paid the price for miscalculation in the field.Stoinis had to bowl 20th v set ABD.Stoinis conceded 23 & that was the turning point.Last year with Gayle 𝓡new at the crease they went in with Tushar Deshpande (instead of Ashwin) who conceded 26. Next ovr Ashwin got Gayle.DC lost
— Sarang Bhalerao (@bhaleraosarang)
RCBIAN ARMY 🔥 RCB wins by 1 run! And we’ve won five of our last six matches – soak it up! ABD’s masterclass got us well back in this tonight. And DC put up quite the fight! Congrats RCB. We coming cup, we coming! Ee sala cup namde. ♥️
— Chloe-Amanda Bailey (@ChloeAmandaB)
Too close, yet too far !
Good match!
Congratulations 👌💪— Ridhima Pathak (@PathakRidhima)
Absolute 💔 for Pant. He tried. Well played DC. Well done RCB.🦹
— cricBC (@cricBC)
Five years apart in IPL:-
27 Apr 2016 – Delhi Capitals lost by 1 run chasing 173
27 Apr 2021 – Delhi Capitals lost by 1 run chasing 172For DC, Morris scored 82*(32) then and now Hetmyer 53*(25) – two unbeaten 50+ knocks at 200+ strike-rate but both on the losing side.
— Kausthub Gudipati (@kaustats)
One run, possibly one ball separate👍d t💫he two teams. Unusual of Rishabh Pant to have batted for 48 balls for 58
— Vikrant Gupta (@vikrantgupta73)
Every ONE counts!
— Chennai Super Kings (@ChennaiIPL)
What. A. Match! prevail by 1 run. With 6 needed off the final ball, Pant hits a boundary but fꦓall short by a whisker. Siraj does 𒁏well under pressure.
Hetmyer and Pant are distraught.
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL)
Played Hetmyer. 🌜Tried his best to win a game out📖 of nowhere. Hope a message sent to the coach who drops him at the drop of a hat too.
— Saurabh Malhotra (@MalhotraSaurabh)
Tough luck, Hetmyer. Came when was down and out but he give the hope but couldn't finish the match still one of the best knock in pressure situation – 53* runs from just 25 balls including 2 fours and 4 sixes. Keep going, champion.
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns)
