IPL 2020 playoffs, Qualifier 2: Records galore, as heroic Dhawan ensured final berth for DC with SRH triumph

In what turned out to be a semi-close contest, Delhi Capitals (DC) prevailed, as they drubbed former champions Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in Qualifier 2 of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2020 playoffs. Being played at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi on Sunday, DC won the tie by 17 runs, thus sealing their first-ever spot in the final, where they face defending champions Mumbai Indians (MI) on Tuesday. Meanwhile, here are the records that were scripted.

Shikhar Dhawan's best IPL ever: Dhawan managed to play a brilliant knock of 78. Consequently, this has become his best IPL season ever, as he has managed to score 603 runs. His previous best happened to be in 2012, during which he had scored 569 runs.

Rashid Khan records some specials: Rashid's fine form with the ball continued, as he finished with figures of 1/26. Meanwhile, he has now become the joint second-most successful wicket-taker during the middle overs (7-15) in a season, having claimed 19 wickets, along with Harbhajan Singh in 2013. The record for the same is held by Imran Tahir, who claimed 24 last season. Furthermore, he also became the joint second bowler to claim the most wickets through bowled or leg-before-wicket (LBW) this season. Rashid, along with Arnich Nortje, claimed nine, while the record lies with Jasprit Bumrah (10). Interestingly, he has also become the fifth bowler to claim 20-plus wickets in a season with an economy of less than six. Rashid has claimed 20 at 5.37.

Stoinis-Dhawan script a brave one: Openers Marcus Stoinis and Dhawan contributed to an 86-run opening stand tonight. As a result, it was also only the second 50-plus stand against SRH this season, after Royal Challengers Bangalore's (RCB) Davdutt Padikkal and Aaron Finch scored 90.

Stoinis among novel ones: Stonis had a great day on the field in all departments, as he scored 38, besides claiming 3/26. Consequently, he became the fifth bowler in IPL's history to score 30-plus and claim a three-for in a playoffs clash. The other four happens to be Shane Watson, Yusuf Pathan, Kieron Pollard and Rashid.

SRH record unwanteds: SRH skipper-cum-opener David Warner was dismissed for a mere couple tonight. In the process, he registered his lowest score in a match during the tournament, since 2016. His previous lowest was a duck against Rising Pune Supergiants (RPS) in 2016. Also, SRH pacers Shahbaz Nadeem and Jason Holder recorded their most expensive spell in IPL history, as they finished with figures of 0/48 and 1/50, respectively.

Kagiso Rabada most successful for DC: Rabada finished with figures of 4/29 tonight, as he claimed 29 wickets this season. Consequently, he became DC's most successful bowler in a season, going past Morne Morkel's 25 in 2012. Furthermore, he also finished as the second-highest wicket-taker in an IPL season, after Dwayne Bravo's 32 in 2013.

Kane Williamson joins an elite list: Williamson played a resounding knock of 67 tonight. As a result, he has now joined the select list of batsmen scoring a couple of half-centuries in playoffs during a season. Williamson becomes the sixth batsman after Dwayne Smith (2013), Suresh Raina (2014), Lendl Simmons (2015), David Warner (2016) and Shane Watson (2019).

Match summary: Winning the toss, DC skipper Shreyas Iyer opted to bat first, as the decision was spot on. The openers, Dhawan (78) and Stoinis (38) contributed to a strong opening stand, followed by Shimron Hetmyer's unbeaten 42, as DC posted a challenging total of 189/3. In reply, SRH lacked partnerships. Although Williamson (67) and Abdul Samad (33) did try to push in, the DC bowlers were too strong to handle, as they succumbed to a 17-run defeat.