Opting to field first proved to be a tactical misstep for the Delhi Capitals in their inaugural home match at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi.
The Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) opening duo, Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma, capitalized on this decision, unleashing a blistering assault on the Capitals’ bowlers during the powerplay, achieving the highest powerplay score (125) in IPL history.
Despite the dismissals of Abhishek and Aiden Markram amidst the onslaught, Heinrich Klaasen aimed to sustain the momentum until Axar Patel intervened, sending him back to the pavilion.
At 154/3 in nine overs, Axar Patel was introduced into the attack. Employing a round-the-wicket angle, he delivered an arm ball with precision, catching Klaasen off guard as it skidded off the surface, crashing into the stumps.
What a turnaround this from @DelhiCapitals 👏👏
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) April 20, 2024
Kuldeep Yadav gets the dangerous Travis Head while Axar Patel gets Heinrich Klaasen 👌👌
Watch the match LIVE on @JioCinema and @StarSportsIndia 💻📱 #TATAIPL | #DCvSRH pic.twitter.com/mmJIBB2uEq
The South African batsman, attempting a forceful stroke, found himself deceived by the delivery, his frustration evident as he trudged back to the dressing room. Axar, buoyed by the breakthrough, expressed his exultation with a pointed gesture towards the dugout, igniting a storm of reactions on Twitter as the match unfolded.
