"Rules Are Rules.." Delhi Capitals Coach Pravin Amre on Rishabh Pant's Ban

Royal Challengers Bangalore climbed up to the fifth spot of the points table after defeating Delhi Capitals by 47 runs at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on Sunday. Following the loss against RCB in the IPL 2024 fixture, Delhi Capitals assistant coach Pravin Amre stated that the team missed their captain and the wicketkeeper-batter, Rishabh Pant in the encounter, especially in batting. After losing seven of the first eight league games, RCB have now registered five successive victories to keep their playoff hopes alive.

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Amre confirmed that Rishabh Pant will return in the upcoming game against Lucknow Super Giants and his batting will be essential for the team. "The way he is playing this year he is the highest run-getter during the year but rules are rules. We missed him because of the rule. It affected our batting line up and sure tomorrow he will be there and we will finish well," Amre told ANI.

What happened in the RCB vs DC game?

DC decided to bowl first after winning the toss. Rajat Patidar (52 in 32 balls), Will Jacks (41 in 29 balls,), Cameron Green (32* in 24 balls, with one four and two sixes), and Virat Kohli (27) took RCB to 187/9 in their 20 overs. Rasikh Salam (2/23) and Khaleel Ahmed (2/31) were the best bowlers for DC.

During the run-chase of 188 runs, the Capitals were restricted to 30/4 at one point. A partnership of 56 runs between Shai Hope (29 in 23 balls) and Axar Patel helped DC make a comeback into the game. Stand-in captain, Axar scored his second half-century of the season but it was not enough. RCB bowlers kept the run flow in control and bundled out DC for 140 runs in 19.1 overs, winning the game ultimately by 47 runs. Yash Dayal (3/20) and Lockie Ferguson (2/23) were the best bowlers for RCB. 

Pravin Amre also stated that it was surprising to see teams scoring 500 runs in a single T20 match. "I feel IPL's governing body will look into it. It is also important to know that for the crowd it was surprising to see teams scoring 500 runs in a T20 match. That's happened in IPL. So, the committee will decide what is better for IPL." 

RCB currently have 12 points, with a potential to reach 14 when they play CSK in their final league game. The Men in Yellow have 14 points. A win in this game might offer them a chance to enter the playoffs, but only if other outcomes go their way. SRH and LSG (two games left for each side, both have 12 points) can advance to 16 points and knock RCB out.