Adani Delhi Premier League T20 | Skipper Himmat Singh leads from front as East Delhi Riders extend winning streak to four | beat West Delhi Lions by five wickets

Adani Delhi Premier League T20: East Delhi Riders defeat West Delhi Lions by five wickets, with captain Himmat Singh leading from the front as they extend their winning run to four games.

New Delhi, August 23, 2024: In the Adani Delhi Premier League T20's tenth encounter on Friday at Arun Jaitley Stadium, East Delhi Riders defeated West Delhi Lions by five wickets behind captain Himmat Singh's unbeaten 65 off 47 balls. 

With 73 runs in 44 balls, Ankit Kumar led the West Delhi Lions to 182/9 in 20 overs. In response, East Delhi Riders were able to chase the goal in 19 overs with to Himmat Singh's fifty and Mayank Rawat's 44 off 22. East Delhi Riders now have eight points from four games, extending their lead at the top of the standings with their victory.  

The East Delhi Riders' run chase got off to a difficult start as they only had 40 runs when they lost three wickets in the fifth over. Sujal Singh (1 off 6) and Hardik Singh (1 off 4) were dismissed by Rohit Yadav, and Anuj Rawat (16 off 10) was removed by Hrithik Shokeen with his opening ball. Despite appearing in superb condition, Samarth Seth was sadly run out after scoring 25 off of 18. East Delhi Riders were 74/4 at the end of the ninth over, struggling.

Using a calculated approach, Himmat Singh and Mayank Rawat took matters into their own hands and kept the East Delhi Riders in the match. Singh chose a more cautious approach to establish a strong 67-run off 41 partnership, while Rawat scored runs quickly.

East Delhi Riders required 43 runs off 24 balls after West Delhi Lions captain Shokeen dismissed Rawat (44 off 22) in the 17th over, giving his team a much-needed breakthrough.

Following a couple of tight overs from the West Delhi Lions, 27 runs were required from the last 12 balls. In the penultimate over off Navdeep Saini, Skipper Himmat, who had been alert early on, changed gears and pursued the target. Himmat made sure his squad remained the only undefeated team in the event with a scorching 65 off 47 balls.

Earlier in the game, the East Delhi Riders' disciplined bowling attack proved to be too much for the West Delhi Lions to handle as they battled to create momentum. West Delhi Lions lost easily to Vivek Yadav (12 off 8) and Ekansh Dobal (0 off 1) in the first four overs, leaving them at 29/2.

After Ankit Kumar, the opener, and Krish Yadav struck a vital partnership of 82 runs off 53 balls, the innings was steadied and the team reached the 100-run barrier in the 12th over. But after scoring 25 from 26 balls in the over, Krish was removed by Rounak Waghela.

After a stunning knock of 73 off 44 balls, Waghela struck once more in his following over, dismissing Kumar to make the team's score 129/4 by the 14th over.

The squad reached 150 runs in the 17th over, however skipper Hrithik Shokeen (17 off 10) and Deepak Punia (4 off 6) lost wickets quickly after.

The best bowler was Simarjeet Singh, who has been hitting form lately. He finished with outstanding figures of 3/19 after taking two wickets in the penultimate over. With a brief cameo of 14 off 6, Tishant Dabla led the West Delhi Lions to 182/9 in 20 overs.

Quick Scores:

By five wickets, East Delhi Riders defeated West Delhi Lions.

West Delhi Lions: 73 runs off 44, Krish Yadav: 25 runs off 26, Simarjeet Singh: 3/19; West Delhi Lions: 182/9 in 20 overs

East Delhi Riders: 183/5 in 19 overs (Mayank Rawat: 44 off 22, Hrithik Shokeen: 2/24, Himmat Singh: 65* off 47)

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