New Delhi [India], April 28 : Following an outstanding display of pace bowling by Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Josh Hazlewood against Delhi Capitals (DC) in the powerplay, former South African pace icon Dale Steyn hailed them pace duo, compatriot Kagiso Rabada and Englishman Jofra Archer for creating "genuine fear" among batters despite high run-scoring this season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) through their hard lengths, for something which the batters do not "practice enough".
Bhuvneshwar and Hazlewood took turns in testing DC batters by mixing up traditional long format lengths and outside off-stump line, wreaking havoc in the powerplay, leaving DC at 13/6 at the end in six overs, making it the worst powerplay score in the IPL history. DC was bundled out for 75 runs, which the defending champions chased without breaking a sweat.
Taking to X, Steyn wrote, "Watching Buvi, Hazelwood, throw KG and Archer in there too, there's a genuine fear from batters not because they scared, but they know exactly where these greats are going to bowl but don't practice enough in that area to have answers. The fear is technical skill, too deep into the tournament to change now, watch these bowlers continue to dominate. Its called a HARD length for a reason..."
https://x.com/DaleSteyn62/status/2049005909058404681
Bhuvneshwar holds the 'Purple Cap' this season, with 14 wickets in eight innings at an average of 16.85 and an economy rate of 7.61, with best figures of 3/5. On the other hand, Hazlewood has eight wickets at an average of 19.25 with an economy rate of 7.89, with best figures of 4/12. Rabada has been exceptional in the powerplay, with 13 scalps at an average of 22.61 and an economy rate of 9.48 and best figures of 3/25. Archer is another example of a bowler succeeding with sheer pace and traditional lengths in T20s during powerplay and against top-order, with 13 scalps in eight matches at an average of 17.92 and an economy rate of 8.03, with best figures of 3/20.
With this win, RCB have registered their sixth win in eight matches, with 12 points to their name. RCB are at number two in the points tally. This fifth defeat for DC, who have won three, keeps them at seventh spot in the points table.
RCB opted to field first, and excellent spells from Hazlewood (4/12) and Bhuvneshwar (3/5) reduced DC to 75 in 16.3 overs, with Abishek Porel (30) and David Miller (19) offering some resistance. RCB batters came out all guns blazing as Jacob Bethell (20 in 10 balls, with a four and two sixes), Devdutt Padikkal (34* in 13 balls, with three fours and three sixes), and Virat Kohli (25* in 13 balls, with a four and two sixes) sealed the chase in 6.3 overs.