IPL: Delhi pip Rajasthan by 4 runs to stay alive

New Delhi, May 3 (IANS) Captain Shreyas Iyer and stumper Rishabh Pant struck rollicking half centuries to keep Delhi Daredevils' play-off hopes alive in the Indian Premier League (IPL) after the hosts pipped Rajasthan Royals by four runs by D/L method

Delhi vs Rajasthan (IANS)

New Delhi, May 3 - Captain Shreyas Iyer and stumper Rishabh Pant struck rollicking half centuries to keep Delhi Daredevils' play-off hopes alive in the Indian Premier League (IPL) after the hosts pipped Rajasthan Royals by four runs by D/L method in a rain-truncated clash at the Ferozshah Kotla here on Thursday.

With sporadic rain affecting the proceedings in the first innings, Rajasthan's target was curtailed to 151 from 12 overs and the visitors were very much in the chase, thanks to a stroke-filled 26-ball 67 from opener Jos Buttler.

Pacer Trent Boult pulled back things for the home side with a couple of wickets and a brilliant last over where he defended 15 runs as Delhi rose one spot to the No.7 in the points table.

Buttler began the chase, clobbering the Delhi bowlers mercilessly all over the park to bring up Rajasthan's 50 in just 19 balls in the company of D'Arcy Short (44 off 24), who played the perfect second fiddle to the Englishman.

Buttler meted out special treatment to young pacer Avesh Khan, smashing him thrice over the boundary as he got to his individual 50 off just 18 deliveries as the home crowd began to lose hopes of a win.

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