Rajasthan Royals' celebrated their return to the 'fortress' with a 10-run win over Delhi Daredevils in the rain-hit Indian Premier League at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Jaipur. Rajasthan Royals overcame a shaky start and were on course to post a competitive total before heavy rain lashed the Sawai Mansingh Stadium with Royals reaching 153 for five in 17.5 overs.
Earlier, captain Ajinkya Rahane (45 off 40) and Sanju Samson (37 off 22) staged the Royals' recovery before Jos Buttler (29 off 18) and Rahul Tripathi (15 off 11) provided entertainment towards the end. Left-arm spinner Shahbaz Nadeem (2/34) made a significant impact in his first game of the season, taking two crucial wickets.
Intermittent rain led to a two and a half hour stoppage before umpires gave their go ahead for a shortened game. Royals' innings eventually ended at 153 for five and Delhi were set a revised target of 71 runs in six overs as per Duckworth-Lewis method.
With Rishabh Pant (20 off 14) gone in the penultimate over, Royals needed to defend 25 runs in the final over. Laughlin (2/20) did that pretty comfortably as Royals recorded their first win of the season. It was a second straight loss for Daredevils.
The rain eventually favoured the hosts as they returned to winning style by 10 runs via the Duckworth Lewis method. Delhi Daredevils would be kicking themselves for not making the most of it as Glen Maxwell and Rishab Pant wasted one too many balls, which became insufficient for the visitors. Rajasthan Royals were all smiles at the end as the fans who stuck around went back happy as the inaugural champions claim their first win of the season.