21-year-old Keemo Paul struck the winning runs to hand Delhi Capitals a slender 2-wicket victory over Sunrisers Hyderabad in is easily one of the most thrilling IPL Eliminator on Wednesday.
Chasing 163, Delhi Capitals got off to a blazing start with Prithvi Shaw hitting a timely half-ton. However, DC, who are playing in their first-ever Playoffs since 2012, faltered in the middle as the game wore off. At 111/5, it felt as though SRH had made an unassuming return in the game.
However, it was Rishabh Pant’s heroic stand of 49 off 21 runs that took the game till the end. The young wicket-keeper struck 5 sixes to reduce the widening deficit. West Indies’ Paul then provided the finishing touches with a boundary on the penultimate ball of the innings off Khaleel Ahmed.
In fact, as the commentators rightfully pointed out, it was the 2016 U-19 World Cup final unfolding before the spectator’s eyes where Paul had hit Khaleel in the final over for winning runs. Another piece of history was created by Amit Mishra who became only the second batsman to be pronounced out for obstructing the ball in an attempt to save a run-out.
As a result of the victory, Delhi Capitals will now face Chennai Super Kings in the IPL Qualifier 2.
Here are some of the most hilarious tweets by fans after Delhi’s epic victory over Hyderabad:
Despite the whirlwind knock, Rishabh Pant deserves a dressing down by the coach. Throwing away his wicket at crucial junctures is becoming a habit.#DCvSRH
— Nikhil Naz (@NikhilNaz) May 8, 2019
Pant to BCCI for Vijay shankar #DCvSRH pic.twitter.com/SAmnXtNBRs
— भाईसाहब (@Bhai_saheb) May 8, 2019
What a match. What a tournament @IPL is. Well played Delhi and exceptional knock from @RishabPant777 – The gamechanger #DCvSRH
— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) May 8, 2019
This is How Rishabh Pant Finish Every Match…#DCvSRH #GameBanayegaName pic.twitter.com/lgIFiw1bvC
— Engineer_हूँ (@black_snake10) May 8, 2019
Amit Mishra the legend ?
— Ravi Pradeep (@Pradeepravic) May 8, 2019
Vijay Shankar watching Rishabh Pant's innings. #DCvSRH pic.twitter.com/pUoBVPV5z6
— Sagar (@sagarcasm) May 8, 2019
Why do it easy when tough is possible!!!! #DC are through. But not without raising heartbeats. Well done ? the three best teams of the #IPL are the last three standing. #DCvSRH
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) May 8, 2019
Heart skipped a beat towards the end but a fantastic win for us. Extremely proud of the boys. @PrithviShaw , Keemo Paul and the superstar @RishabPant777 were simply brilliant #DCvSRH pic.twitter.com/OFXtM4FoSm
— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) May 8, 2019
People who sacrificed their wicket so that their team could win. #DCvSRH pic.twitter.com/bjoGxBmxH5
— Sagar (@sagarcasm) May 8, 2019
Pavam ya 🙁
??Sad moment! #SRH #SRHvsDC #DCvSRH pic.twitter.com/yFQTnpkZRR
— Troll Cinema ( TC ) (@Troll_Cinema) May 8, 2019
Amit Mishra run-out explained#DCvSRH pic.twitter.com/Ewf1mV4iZF
— Rajpurohit (@gajender00) May 8, 2019
RT IF YOU WANT TO RUN AND HUG KEEMO PAUL LIKE THE #DC SQUAD RIGHT NOW!!!!#DCvSRH #ThisIsNewDelhi #DelhiCapitals
— Delhi Capitals (@DelhiCapitals) May 8, 2019
