The Delhi Capitals were one of the most in-form teams in the second round of the IPl 2021 in the UAE, and they had the upper hand coming into Qualifier 1 versus the Chennai Super Kings, with a 2-0 win-loss record over the mighty CSK this season. CSK, on the other hand, won the crucial match to go to the final, while DC had another chance in the final with Qualifier 2 against Kolkata Knight Riders on Wednesday in Sharjah. After batting first, DC did not put up a large total, which appeared to be enough to make a game of it, and the bowlers almost did, with KKR faltering after a strong start to the chase. DC eventually suffered sadness as she failed to qualify for the final for the second year in a row, and DC captain Rishabh Pant, 24, took the loss personally. After the match, a saddened Pant was in tears, and even during the post-match conference during the presentation, Pant was on the edge of breaking down while trying to respond to questions from commentator Pommie Mbangwa.
Another teenager, Prithvi Shaw, fell flat on his back on the field, fighting back tears as KKR’s Rahul Tripathi hit a six off R Ashwin in the fifth ball of the final over to send his team home. With seven runs needed in six balls, Ashwin’s first four deliveries produced only a single and two wickets. With the equation reading 6 off 2, Tripathi remained in his crease and hit the short of length delivery over long-off to send KKR to the final. Shaw made a bigger effect throughout the competition, collecting 479 runs in 15 matches at 31.93 and hitting the ball at 159.13, despite only getting 18 off 12 balls in Qualifier 2. Shaw’s older opening partner, Shikhar Dhawan, was seen comforting him.
Pant was visibly upset during the award ceremony, unable to speak after missing out on the finals twice. When asked about his feelings on the broadcasters’ defeat after the game, Pant replied, “I don’t have words to convey at the time, can’t explain anything.” Nothing can be changed after the contest. We never gave up hope and stayed in the game as long as we could. It was hauled back by the bowlers. During the middle overs, they bowled really effectively. We were unable to rotate the strike because we were trapped.”