Cricket
Nikhil Kalro 6y

Jason Roy's new T20 tempo aces tough chase

IPL, Cricket

All-star of the match

Delhi Daredevils saw Colin Munro as the better T20 opener, in better form. So Jason Roy had to watch as Daredevils were awarding caps to their new acquisitions early in the tournament. Four runs in Munro's first two games combined with Daredevils' successive losses forced a change. In the sweltering Mumbai heat, Roy was awarded his Daredevils cap. He is a destructive T20 opener too, coming into the IPL with some impressive form of his own.

Facing a tough target of 195 may have worked to his advantage. Off his second ball for his new franchise, against Hardik Pandya, Roy punched a drive on the up through cover. It was the calm Roy, no hard hands, no swiping across the line, not yet. Those shots came from the second over onwards. He hoicked over midwicket and lofted over the infield and, by the end of the Powerplay, Roy had 37 off 18 balls.

Over the last few months, a lot has changed in Roy's batting after the field spreads. He has found his flow and tempo to pace his innings, as was evident from his 151-ball 180 against Australia in Melbourne. That was also evident at the Wankhede as he bided his time against Mumbai's spinners, until when he felt Daredevils needed a boundary. With 11 required off the last over, Roy found two to take his team home.

The wow moment

Despite Roy's innings, Daredevils needed 11 off the final over. Mustafizur Rahman, Mumbai's end-overs specialist, had the ball. The first ball, a full, wide delivery, was smashed over cover with hard hands, which is Roy's strength. The next ball was flicked over fine leg for six with strong wrists, another of Roy's strengths. Then, Mustafizur found his length to eke out three dot balls. Under pressure, Roy took another swing at an offcutter from Mustafizur. The ball cleared cover and Daredevils won their first game of the season.

The numbers

  • Jason Roy's unbeaten 91 was his highest T20 score in a chase.

What they said

"Was a good knock, but we came together as a team and showed what we're capable of. It's a great place to bat, most stadiums around India are good places to bat."
Jason Roy in his post-match interview

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