Rishabh Pant’s first half-century since returning from a 14-month injury absence helped Delhi Capitals beat Chennai Super Kings in the Indian Premier League.
Wicketkeeper-batter Pant hit 51 from 32 balls and David Warner made 52 from 35 as Delhi posted 191-5 in Visakhapatnam.
It was Delhi captain Pant’s third game back since being in a serious car accident in December 2022.
Mukesh Kumar then took 3-21 as Chennai could only reach 171-6 in reply.
After beginning the season with successive wins, the result means defending champions Chennai suffered their first defeat, while 2020 runners-up Delhi picked up their first win.
Pant, who scored 18 and 28 in his first two IPL matches this season, walked off to a standing ovation after he was dismissed by Matheesha Pathirana.
It was the 26-year-old’s first IPL half-century since 2021, with his career having been disrupted by the accident in which he suffered head, back and leg injuries, requiring surgery.
“[I] took my time initially because I haven’t played much cricket, but I kept believing I could change the match,” Pant said.
Pathirana was the pick of Chennai’s bowlers, taking 3-31. Ajinkya Rahane top-scored for them with 45 from 30 balls and former skipper MS Dhoni added an unbeaten 37 from 16.
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Titans beat Sunrisers for second win
In Sunday’s first game, Gujarat Titans beat Sunrisers Hyderabad by seven wickets for their second victory of the season.
Sai Sudharsan top-scored with 45, David Miller hit an unbeaten 44 and captain Shubman Gill added 36 as Gujarat chased down their target of 163 with five balls to spare in Ahmedabad.
Mohit Sharma earlier took 3-25 as Hyderabad were restricted to 162-8 from their 20 overs.
“Winning two matches at home is great, two more to go and then we go on the road,” said Gill.
“Credit to the bowlers to restrict them. Everyone knows their roles in terms of batting or bowling. Miller’s got into form too.”
Hyderabad, the 2016 champions, have lost two of their opening three matches.