Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) fast bowler Eshan Malinga produced a remarkable bowling performance against Delhi Capitals (DC) at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, registering the third-best bowling figures by an overseas player for the franchise in the Indian Premier League (IPL).
Malinga took 4 wickets for 32 runs in four overs, dismissing Nitish Rana, David Miller, Tristan Stubbs and Ashutosh Sharma, effectively halting DC’s innings during their chase of 245 runs. This performance is surpassed only by Afghanistan spinner Mohammed Nabi's 4/11 against Royal Challengers Bengaluru in 2019, and Darren Sammy's 4/22 against Punjab Kings in 2013.
In seven matches this season, Malinga has claimed 12 wickets at an average of 18.08 and an economy rate of 9.43, including this four-wicket haul. He is currently the second-highest wicket-taker in the tournament after Chennai Super Kings pacer Anshul Kamboj, who has 13 wickets.
In the match, DC won the toss and chose to field first. SRH posted a total of 244/2 in 20 overs, thanks to a 97-run opening partnership between Abhishek and Travis Head, with Head scoring 37 runs off 26 balls. Abhishek remained unbeaten on 135 from 68 balls, hitting 10 fours and 10 sixes. Shifts in partnerships with captain Ishan Kishan (25 in 13 balls) and Heinrich Klaasen (37* in 13 balls) contributed to SRH’s strong total.
During the DC innings, after an early loss of Pathum Nissanka, KL Rahul and Nitish Rana built an 86-run partnership, with Rahul scoring 37 runs from 23 balls and Rana 57 from 30. However, following their dismissals, DC collapsed, with Malinga (4/32), Sakib Hussain (1/29 in four overs) and Harsh Dubey (3/12 in two overs) restricting the team to 195/9.
SRH currently holds third place in the points table with four wins and three losses, while Delhi Capitals remain in fifth place with three wins and three losses.