Ongama Gcwabe at the Wanderers
JOHANNESBURG: A captain’s knock from Faf du Plessis guided the Joburg Super Kings to a seven-wicket victory over Paarl Royals on Thursday evening, keeping their SA20 playoff ambitions well and truly alive.
The Super Kings looked determined to redeem themselves following the embarrassing six-wicket defeat in Centurion earlier this week, with Du Plessis leading his charges with an explosive yet well-measured 55-ball 87.
Spinners and seam bowlers alike the 40-year-old took apart, smashing seven sixes and four fours in his innings, while rotating the strike regularly in chasing 152 against a decent attack led by Proteas quick Lungi Ngidi and rising star Kwena Maphaka.
The key to the Super Kings’ successful run-chase was wickets in hand, with the hosts going through the first Powerplay unscathed.
Despite losing Devon Conway (20) to Mujeeb Ur Rahman's (1/20) left-arm off-spin, Du Plessis remained resolute, taking the Super Kings within 21 runs of the target when he was dismissed by Keith Dudgeon in the 16th over.
Leus du Plooy (18 not out) and Jonny Bairstow (8 not out) guided the hosts to a seven-wicket victory with 13 balls to spare.
In Joe Root’s absence, the visitors looked out of touch right from the start, with new opening batter Sam Hain (2) lasting only two balls on his SA20 debut.
Though Lhuan-dre Pretorius looked crisp at the start, hitting Donovan Ferreira for a six and a four in consecutive deliveries, the youngster did not last long as he departed for 19.
The visitors would go on to lose two more wickets inside the first Powerplay.
With wickets tumbling and without the wealth of experience that Root possesses, the Royals needed one of their present senior players to take responsibility.
Former India wicket-keeper batter Dinesh Karthik (53 off 39 balls, 4x4, 3x6) assumed the responsibility, carving a maiden half-century and helping the Royals reach a competitive 150/9.
Dinesh Karthik has played a massive hand at the Wanderers 👏👏
— SuperSport 🏆 (@SuperSportTV) January 30, 2025
Paarl Royals are on 137/6 with three overs to play 👑👇
📺 Stream #BetwaySA20 on DStv: https://t.co/rM90YyQxaw pic.twitter.com/I6ug0bnoUY
Lutho Sipamla continued his good form with figures of 3/19, while Ferreira looked good with ball in hand with figures of 3/23.
Though the Super Kings are currently sitting third on the standings, they are by no means out of the woods just yet, as they are still level on points with fourth-placed Sunrisers Eastern Cape, while the Pretoria Capitals still have a chance with two matches remaining.
Should the Capitals lose at home to an in-form Mi Cape Town unit on Friday, both Sunrisers Eastern Cape and the Joburg Super Kings will go through to the playoffs.
Brief Scores
Paarl Royals 150/9 off 20 overs (Dinesh Karthik 53; Lutho Sipamla 3/19)
Joburg Super Kings 151/3 in 17.5 overs (Faf du Plessis 87; Mujeeb Ur Rahman 1/20)
Joburg Super Kings won by seven wickets