Skipper Anuj Rawat and Sujal Singh attempted to mount a fightback, stitching together a 52-run stand that briefly lifted hopes for the Riders. Rawat, however, fell for 23 off 26, caught by Aaryavir Sehwag off Simarjeet, who continued to wreak havoc. Sujal played a spirited hand of 39 off 25, but with wickets tumbling around him, he too perished to Grewal, who finished with superb figures of 2/7 in 3 overs, including two maidens.
Earlier, the Kings’ bowlers set the tone with a fiery display that dismantled the Riders’ batting lineup. Simarjeet Singh was unplayable, striking twice in his very first over to remove Hardik Sharma and Arpit Rana, leaving the Riders rattled. His new-ball partner Money Grewal piled on the pressure, dismissing Vaibhav Baisla to reduce the opposition to a precarious 6/3 inside three overs.
With their bowlers on song and the batters finding form at the right time, the Central Delhi Kings look like a well-rounded unit heading into the all-important final.
