Rahane the ultimate role model for youngsters
After registering a comprehensive sixwicket win over Royal Challengers Bangalore ( RCB), Delhi Capitals’ assistant coach Mohammad Kaif heaped praise on Ajinkya Rahane, calling him the ultimate role model for every youngster.
Chasing 153 against RCB, Shikhar Dhawan and Ajinkya Rahane started with the bat for Delhi as both batsmen played knocks of 54 and 60 respectively. Delhi won the match by six wickets with six balls to spare. With this win, Delhi Capitals qualified for the playoffs and the side will now get two chances to qualify for the finals after finishing second on the points table.
“If you fail to prepare you are preparing to fail. @ajinkyarahane88 lives by this dictum and is the ultimate role model for every youngster with his singleminded approach. His role in winning the most crucial game for @DelhiCapitals proves why hard work never goes out of fashion,” Kaif tweeted.
Rahane has so far played six matches in the ongoing edition of the IPL, managing to score 111 runs at an average of 18.50. With this win, Delhi will now play against Mumbai Indians in the first qualifier and the winner of that match will qualify directly for the finals.
Earlier, Devdutt Padikkal and AB de Villiers played knocks of 50 and 35 respectively as Royal Challengers Bangalore ( RCB) posted a total of 152/7 in the allotted twenty overs.
For Delhi Capitals, Anrich Nortje scalped three wickets while Kagiso Rabada took two wickets.
Skipper Virat Kohli says Royal Challengers Bangalore batsmen can be more “brave with the bat” as his team earned qualification to the playoffs.
RCB did not score much in the first half of the innings against DC and even had a quiet Powerplay.
“We have a shot, an opportunity and that’s all we want as a team. I’m sure the guys will be excited about what’s ahead for us. We can be more brave with the bat in pockets,” Kohli said at the post-match presentation ceremony. “With the ball, we were decent, probably we could have a strong powerplay which is our strength. If we implement those things, we’ll be at the right end of the result. It’s important to stay positive. There are going to be learnings along the way, but we are glad that we are through.”
They lost a number of matches but Kohli said they deserved to be in top-4.
“It’s a mixed bag. As I said at the toss, you come to games to try and get the result your way. We are happy that we’ve qualified. Top two would’ve been very really nice.”