GT VS DC MATCH 44

Right then, that is it from this low-scoring thriller where Delhi defended their lowest-ever total and Gujarat lost for the first time while chasing this season and only the second time in their short history. However, the action in the Indian T20 League continues as we have a double-header lined up on 3rd May, Wednesday. The first game will be between Lucknow and Chennai and that will start at 3.30 pm IST (10 am GMT). After that, Punjab will take on Mumbai in a huge game for both teams. The first ball will be bowled at 7.30 pm IST (2 pm GMT), but as you know, you can always join us early for all the build-up for both games. Until then, cheers and goodbye!

Mohammad Shami is the PLAYER OF THE MATCH for his brilliant spell of 4 for 11 from his four overs. He says that he tries to stick to his plans and adds that he always wants to bowl in the right areas irrespective of the format. Feels that 130 was a gettable total and it was about playing the first 6 overs well. Adds that after losing wickets at regular intervals and all they needed was one good partnership. Ends by saying that they still have plenty of games left and such losses can happen.

David Warner, the victorious captain of Delhi says that their bowlers were amazing. Adds that the batters struggled but credits Shami for his brilliant spell. Tells that he doesn't know what is happening with their batting and they are finding ways to lose wickets in clumps. Mentions that they tried to keep a positive intent which did not work out but they got the two points. Says that Khaleel Ahmed was really good after coming back from injury and he was unlucky to miss out on the last game as he was fit. Praises Ishant Sharma and tells that he was a bit scared when Tewatia was going off as he knows he hits the ball cleanly at the death but credits Sharma once again for executing his plans to perfection.

Presentation Time...

The star of the moment for Delhi, Ishant Sharma is in for a chat. He says that he was practising bowling wide yorkers with the new ball. Adds that the hard work paid off and he just backed himself with the yorkers. Shares that they spend a lot of time in preparation and planning for a specific batter. Reckons that it is about executing those single balls every single time when on the field. On bowling to Rahul Tewatia, he says that he has played enough cricket against him and he knew he had to double bluff him. Ends by saying that they do not really think about the target and it is about executing the plans.

Hardik Pandya, the skipper of Gujarat, starts by saying that they would have taken 130 on any given day. Adds that Rahul Tewatia got them back in the game and he himself tried his best but could not capitalize. Shares that they were hoping to get a couple of big overs during the middle phase but could not get the rhythm. Credits the Delhi bowlers for the way they bowled and takes the ownership of failing to finish the game. Feels that the wicket was good but it was a touch on the slower side. Reckons that the loss of wickets meant they could not get any rhythm in the middle. On Mohammad Shami's spell, he says that he feels sorry for him. Adds that despite bowling so well and restricting Delhi to a below-par total, it was the batters who disappointed. Ends by saying that they still have plenty of games left and will look to take the learnings and move onto the next game.

Earlier in the game, Delhi posted a well below-par score on the board. It was made possible due to a crucial maiden fifty from Aman Khan and some contributions from Ripal Patel and Axar Patel. Mohammad Shami was the star of the show with the ball with four wickets while Mohit Sharma picked up a couple of wickets and Rashid Khan got one too. While chasing, Gujarat also lost a few too many wickets in the Powerplay and despite a fighting half-century from Hardik Pandya and late fireworks from Rahul Tewatia, they ended up on the losing side.

Delhi will be pleased with their bowling effort as they showed huge fight and determination while trying to defend this low total. Khaleel Ahmed gave them the perfect start by getting a wicket in the first over to set the tone as Ishant Sharma and Anrich Nortje followed it with their own wickets in the Powerplay. After that, Kuldeep Yadav and Axar Patel applied the squeeze in the middle overs and did not give anything away which continued to build pressure on the batters. Ahmed was brilliant in the death overs as well but Nortje went for plenty which almost took this game out of their hands. However, Ishant Sharma stepped up big time in the last over and defended 11 runs quite successfully.

Gujarat would have hoped that they get to a steady start to set up the base for this chase but Delhi had other plans. They lost Wriddhiman Saha in the first over while Shubman Gill and Vijay Shankar followed him soon and they were reduced to 26-3 inside the Powerplay. Pandya held one end, losing one partner after the other, at the other end and the promotion of David Miller also did not work out as he was dismissed too while trying to be a bit too cute. However, after that, the skipper finally found a batter in Abhinav Manohar who supported him really well. They built up an extremely crucial partnership and kept them in the chase. Pandya registered a fine fifty and both added 62 runs together but it was difficult for them to find the boundaries and Manohar perished trying to find one. However, the iceman, Rahul Tewatia came in and smashed three sixes in the penultimate over to make the equation 12 runs in the last over but he could not finish the job and they fell short by five runs in the end.

Take a bow, Ishant Sharma! What a last over under pressure! He has taken Delhi over the line and they are still in the tournament. It was a battle between 1st and 10th and the bottom team performed incredibly well to win a low-scoring thriller here. This is why we love the Indian T20 League!

Ishant Sharma has done it for Delhi! He tries to go full but bowls a full toss, outside off, Rashid Khan goes deep in the crease and looks to hoick this one. He gets it from the outer part of the bat and sends it over backward point for a single. Joy for David Warner and Co. but despair on the faces of Gujarat players and fans. Delhi win by 5 runs!

Great stop by Rilee Rossouw! Fuller and outside off, Rashid Khan drills this one hard and low towards cover-point where Rilee Rossouw dives to his right and saves a couple of runs for his side.

Rashid Khan is the next man in with nine runs needed in two balls now.

OUT! IN THE AIR AND GONE! A huge blow to Gujarat as Rahul Tewatia departs! Drags his length back and bowls it on a hard length, outside off, Rahul Tewatia shuffles across and tries to swat it on the leg side but slices this one in the air towards extra cover. Rilee Rossouw steadies himself under the ball and takes the catch. Ishant Sharma is pumped and so are his mates.

Precious dot by Ishant Sharma! Goes full and near the tramline on the off side, Rahul Tewatia stays leg-side of the ball and looks to carve the delivery. He misses and it is collected safely behind the wicket by Philip Salt. Gujarat think it should be a wide and opt for the review. However, the replays confirm that the ball is inside the tramline and it is a fair delivery.

A good yorker now, outside off, Hardik Pandya squeezes it towards deep point for a single.

In the air but safe! Low full toss and outside off by Ishant Sharma, Hardik Pandya sets himself up deep in the crease and slices it in the air. He gets it wide of deep cover and collects a couple of runs.

Who will bowl the last over? It will be Ishant Sharma (3-0-17-1). He has 11 runs to play with. Will he be able to defend it?