DC vs GT IPL 2024: Rishabh Pant, Axar Patel star as Delhi Capitals beat Gujarat Titans by 4 runs in yet another high-scoring thriller

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Rishabh Pant solidified his position as India's primary wicketkeeper for the T20 World Cup with a commanding unbeaten half-century during Delhi Capitals' thrilling four-run victory over Gujarat Titans in the Indian Premier League match held on Wednesday at the Arun Jaitley Stadium.

Leading from the front, Pant, along with Axar Patel, orchestrated a scintillating partnership of 113 runs off 68 balls, both registering rapid-fire half-centuries to propel DC to a formidable total of 224 for 4 in their crucial encounter.

In response, Sai Sudarshan and David Miller showcased their prowess with the bat for Gujarat Titans, notching up half-centuries, while Rashid Khan contributed a quickfire 21 runs off 11 balls. However, despite their valiant efforts, GT fell short of the target, finishing at 220 for 8 in their allotted 20 overs.

Pant's blistering innings of 88 runs off 43 balls, punctuated by five boundaries and eight towering sixes, underscored his readiness for the upcoming T20 World Cup, where he is expected to feature prominently for India against Pakistan in New York, barring any fitness concerns.

Displaying maturity and composure, Pant expertly paced his innings, complemented by Axar's aggressive approach as he smashed 66 runs off 43 balls, comprising five boundaries and four sixes.

While GT lost early wickets, Wriddhiman Saha's fluent 39 runs and Sudarshan's explosive 65 runs off 29 balls kept them in contention. However, Sudarshan's departure after a brisk half-century and Miller's late heroics weren't enough to seal the victory for GT.

Despite GT's spirited chase, Pant's stellar performance with the bat, coupled with his adept wicketkeeping skills, reaffirmed his significance in India's T20 World Cup plans.

Earlier, Jake Fraser-McGurk and Prithvi Shaw provided Delhi Capitals (DC) with a blistering start, accumulating 34 runs in the first three overs. Fraser-McGurk, who had previously smashed an explosive 18-ball 65 in their previous match, continued his ominous form, elegantly dispatching Gujarat Titans' (GT) bowlers over the boundary ropes.

However, his innings came to an abrupt end when Sandeep Warrier claimed his wicket, as the young Australian was caught at square-leg by Noor Ahmed. DC suffered a double setback in the fourth over when Shaw fell victim to Warrier just two balls later, with a spectacular diving catch by Noor at deep backward square leg.

The home team's troubles were compounded when Warrier secured his second scalp of the day, dismissing Shai Hope, who was caught by Rashid at the cover boundary, leaving DC struggling at 44 for 3 within the powerplay.

Despite the early setbacks, Rishabh Pant and Axar Patel initially played cautiously, aiming to stabilise the innings. However, once they settled in, they unleashed a ferocious assault on the GT bowlers.

Pant, initially slow to start, gradually gained confidence and began unleashing his trademark shots, while Axar provided steady support, punishing loose deliveries to the fence.

As the innings progressed, Axar upped the ante and reached his fifty off 37 balls, sealing the milestone with a boundary off Rashid in the 15th over. Pant, on the other hand, targeted anything pitched on his legs, effortlessly dispatching Mohit Sharma for a six over midwicket in the 16th over, before hammering him over long-off in the same over to boost DC's run rate.

Axar matched his captain's aggression, smashing Noor for consecutive sixes in the 17th over. However, in an attempt to accelerate the scoring, Axar fell victim to Sai Kishore in the next ball, caught at long-on.

Pant reached his fifty with a powerful strike over the long-on fence off Mohit. Tristan Stubbs' late cameo of 26 runs off seven balls, combined with Pant's explosive finish, propelled DC beyond the 200-run mark. The left-handed India batter wreaked havoc on Mohit in the final over, smashing four sixes and a boundary to accumulate 31 runs, ensuring DC posted a formidable total.