Welcome to the live updates of Match 22 of the Indian Premier League 2021 featuring Delhi Capitals and Royal Challengers Bangalore. You can interact with us by tweeting to @iamharry_88 and follow the ball-by-ball coverage.
Siraj's composure in the 20th over helped RCB sneak a riveting one-run win © BCCI/IPL
AB de Villiers | Man of the Match: The shot over extra cover was certainly one of the best shots, but the one over midwicket off KG was my best one. I don't often get him away, but I'm happy I managed to get him away for that one. It's important to be fresh for every game. I worked out at home and during the quarantine in the hotel room, and now it's just about managing ourselves throughout the tournament and being fresh when we go out there to play. We have some experienced heads and some young Indian bowlers who have done well internationally recently. They come in with a lot of confidence. Myself, Virat and Maxi chip in with some help when we can too. I forced myself to say a bit more behind the stumps, thanks to Yuzi who urged me to do it.
Virat Kohli: At one stage I thought it was getting away, but Siraj's final over gave us confidence and we thought he would manage a professional and clincal job. If there weren't fielding lapses it wasn't going to go this far anyway. We lost wickets but AB went berserk and then in the last few overs while bowling Hetmyer got hold of a few, otherwise we were in control. There was no dew tonight thanks to that sandstorm, and we bowled with a dry ball, so that made a difference. Maxi is still not bowling, he's the 7th option, so we have enough options to do the job for us. We always had batting depth, but now we have a lot of bowling options too. I choose to be optimistic, but captaining for too long does make you nervous. I invariably go with the gut feel of the bowler. AB doesn't like me saying this, but he hasn't played competitive cricket for 5 months, and given that, AB's innings was absolutely top-notch as he has done time and again for us.
Rishabh Pant: Obviously feeling disappointed, specially when you are on the losing side. They got 10-15 runs extra on this wicket. Hetty (Hetmyer) played a brilliant innings, because of him we got close to the target. In the last over, we were thinking whoever gets the ball has to finish the job for the team. That's what we were planning, in the end we were one run short. We counted the overs really well, in the end the spinners weren't getting the help which we thought they might get. In the end, I had to give the ball to Stoinis. It's good to take positives from all the matches. As a young team, we like to learn from each and every game and want to improve each and every day.
Match summary
What an absolute thriller!In the end, RCB have gotten out of jail because after Jamieson's expensive 18th over, it was DC's game to lose. But Harshal held his nerve to bowl a reasonable 19th over, which meant Siraj had 13 to defend in the final over. The ever-improving speedster then bowled an excellent 20th over to just take his team across the line. Pant's fifty was probably one of his most weird knocks with him not middling anything at all. It was Hetmyer's blitzkrieg that put them in the box seat but he hardly got any strike in the final over. The absence of dew (due to the sandstorm effect) was a plus for RCB who go top of the points table. They'll be chuffed with this win, while DC will regret this loss.
Siraj bowls RCB to a thrilling one-run win
With 14 needed in the final over, Siraj nailed three near-perfect yorkers that went for just two runs including a dot ball. It came down to 10 off 2 balls and Pant could just find two boundaries. Pulsating finish.
14 needed to win off the final over
Harshal bowls a good 19th over, giving away just 11 which isn't that bad in the scheme of things. Who will bowl the final over? Siraj to bowl the 20th over.
Jamieson goes for 21 in his final over
Three sixes from Hetmyer in the over and DC are now in the driving seat. 25 needed off 12 balls now.
DC need 56 runs off 24 balls
Asking rate has climbed a lot but Delhi still have Pant and Hetmyer there. Would need some great hitting though to win from here. RCB for now slightly on top with no dew around.
Padikkal drops Hetmyer
A rather straightforward running catch but Padikkal spills it at the last moment. How crucial will this be?
Harshal once again the man as RCB break threatening partnership
He doesn't bowl magic deliveries but just manages to do what bowlers need to do - get wickets. The dangerous Stoinis has a wild go and gets a nick behind.
Stoinis escapes an RCB review
Steps out and misses a googly to be struck on the front pad. Would have hit the stumps but he was far too down the pitch and it's umpire's call on impact.
Harshal strikes in his very first over
The season's Purple Cap holder erased memories of the last game well with a good start, getting a well-set Shaw of a not-so-great delivery.
DRS to Pant's rescue
The DC captain was given out LBW to Sundar but he reviews and UltraEdge shows a tiny spike as the ball passes the bottom edge.
Siraj's movement traps Smith
A lovely away-moving delivery gets rid of the Australian who nicks off behind. All of a sudden, this is an excellent powerplay for RCB.
Jamieson picks up Dhawan early
A short ball and the swivel-pull is straight down fine leg's throat. Much-needed wicket for RCB.
Chase finally gets underway
After a brief delay, the sandstorm has eventually abated to let the cricket resume.
Sandstorm alert
A strong sandstorm has hit the Motera and this could probably delay the start of the second innings.Incredible scenes out there.
Innings Summary
A steady batting effort from RCB who have probably have got a decent total on the board. They have De Villiers to thank for this, with the South African's stunning late assault giving them a more than respectable total. The surface isn't entirely batting-friendly, but the dew should make batting easier. Sets up for an interesting run chase.
ABD Masterclass lifts RCB past 170
A brilliant 42-ball 75 from AB de Villiers helped the Royal Challengers get the much-needed finishing kick that included a 23-run final over which was bowled by Marcus Stoinis.
Patidar falls in pursuit of quick runs
The young man departs for the team's cause, mistiming a slog down to long-on.
ABD-Patidar setting it up for the final flurry
It's been a proactive partnership so far with timely boundaries and brisk strike rotation
Mishra wins the battle against Maxwell
After being tonked for a couple of sixes, the wily leg-spinner had the Big Show caught at long-on.
DC break steady RCB start with successive wickets
Avesh cleans up Kohli and Ishant follows it up next ball by dismantling Padikkal.
Virat Kohli is clean bowled while trying to guide one down to third man.
Team line-ups:
Delhi Capitals (Playing XI): Prithvi Shaw, Shikhar Dhawan, Rishabh Pant(w/c), Steven Smith, Shimron Hetmyer, Marcus Stoinis, Axar Patel, Amit Mishra, Kagiso Rabada, Ishant Sharma, Avesh Khan
Royal Challengers Bangalore (Playing XI): Virat Kohli(c), Devdutt Padikkal, Rajat Patidar, Glenn Maxwell, AB de Villiers(w), Washington Sundar, Daniel Sams, Kyle Jamieson, Harshal Patel, Yuzvendra Chahal, Mohammed Siraj
Team changes:
Ishant replaces Ashwin (who has opted out temporarily) for DC. Two changes for RCB - Patidar in for Saini while Sams makes his RCB debut in place of Christian
TOSS:Heads is the call from Kohli, it's tails. Delhi Capitals will be bowling first.
Pitch report:
"Last night it (the pitch) started slow. Later in the game the dew factor is an issue. I think it will play a big role in what happens at the toss. The winning captain is probably going to say we will bowl." reckons Kevin Pietersen.
BUILD UP:
Hello and welcome to Match 22 of the Indian Premier League 2021. It's a battle between two form teams, one from Delhi and the other led by a man from Delhi. It's the first time DC and RCB will clash this season and it will also be the first match at Ahmedabad for either side. While the Capitals are coming off a thrilling Super Over victory over Sunrisers Hyderabad, Virat Kohli's men are heading into this game after having their unbeaten streak snapped by a heavy defeat to the Chennai Super Kings. With plenty of quality players in the mix, we should have a cracking game.