After losing five games on the trot, the perennial underachievers of the Indian Premier League (IPL) - Delhi Daredevils - were once again staring at an early exit from the tenth edition of the tournament. The team was being scrutinised for not achieving their true potential and the players were feeling the heat to deliver the goods.

With their back against the wall, Delhi needed to up the ante to remain in contention of making the last-four stage of the tournament. Their first hurdle was to go past Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) on Tuesday and thanks to Corey Anderson's special innings of 24-ball 41, Delhi managed to upset the in-form David Warner brigade.

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Against Gujarat Lions (GL) last night, the Daredevils witnessed a similar do-or-die situation. Both the teams needed to win the match to stay alive in the tournament which in turn raised the level of competition in the clash. But, shocking everyone in tournament, Delhi once again managed to cheat death, riding on the back of one of most spectacular knocks in the IPL history.

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Delhi's young and brute batting force, Rishabh Pant, made the opposition bowlers shit their pants with a blinder of an innings. The Delhi southpaw slammed a breath-taking 43-ball 97 including six electric fours and a whopping nine gigantic sixes. (Watch Pant's Demolition Act, here)

Highest score in an IPL innings before turning 20:

114* Manish Pandey
97 RISHABH PANT*
74 Sanju Samson @cricketaakash #DDvGL

— Umang Pabari (@UPStatsman) May 4, 2017

Coming in to bat with Delhi reeling at 24/1, the 19-year-old clobbered the Lions bowling attack with a superlative display of power-hitting, showing who's the real king of the jungle.

The last 10 balls that Pant faced

6⃣6⃣1⃣LB 6⃣4⃣1⃣6⃣2⃣2⃣4⃣ #DDvGL #IPL

— Cricbuzz (@cricbuzz) May 4, 2017

The batting prodigy forged a 143-run partnership off a mere 63 balls with Sanju Samson (61) to take his side on the threshold of victory.

Missing century by least runs in IPL:

99 Kohli
98 Raina, Rahane
97 PANT
96 Gayle, Amla#DDvGL

— Bharath Seervi (@SeerviBharath) May 4, 2017

Sadly, the young gun missed out on a well deserved hundred by a mere three runs, but his roaring blitzkrieg ensured Delhi's playoff hopes remain alive, allowing their fans to dream on.

T 2414 - UFFFFFFF !! what an innings played by #Rishabhpant .. never mind the 100 .. for us it was more than that !! pic.twitter.com/PlopB3PEcr

— Amitabh Bachchan (@SrBachchan) May 4, 2017

Such was his batting display that some of the most respected and iconic legends of the game couldn't help but sing songs of his valour.

Best Innings In IPL History 

One of the best Innings I have seen in the IPL & that includes all 10 seasons. @RishabPant777 pic.twitter.com/SGv3YuXwJ5

— sachin tendulkar (@sachin_rt) May 4, 2017

An Extra Special Ability

Love batsman with tremendous belief in themselves which is backed by a special ability for ball hitting.Extra Special today frm Rishabh Pant

— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) May 4, 2017

Future Team India Star 

The future star of Indian cricket batted wearing 777 no: shirt for @DelhiDaredevils.Well batted @RishabPant777 #DDvGL.Sad to miss a 100 @IPL

— Anjum Chopra (@chopraanjum) May 4, 2017

208 was a good score but Rishabh Pant showed why he is the future. Privileged to watch an incredible innings.#DDvGL

— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) May 4, 2017

What A Talent 

@RishabPant777 you Beauty ✅✅✅✅🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥what a talent this young man🔝🔝🔝👊👊👊@DelhiDaredevils vs @TheGujaratLions

— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) May 4, 2017

Love watching @RishabPant777 what a talent 👀👏🏻

— Jos Buttler (@josbuttler) May 4, 2017

A Fearless Knock 

Deserved a hundred @RishabPant777 fearless knock. Well played #III

— Rohit Sharma (@ImRo45) May 4, 2017

Pant-storm in Delhi #IPL

— Rohit Sharma (@ImRo45) May 4, 2017

Take Care Of Him

This Rishabh Pant must see the ball before the bowler has conceived it. This is special. Take care of him.

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) May 4, 2017

A Knock Worth 300 

Bhai @RishabPant777 - 3 run rehne de.
That knock was worth 300!
You are now officially my 2nd favourite Pant in India (after my son.)

— Sorabh Pant (@hankypanty) May 4, 2017

A Standing Ovation 

Rahul Dravid and the whole stadium gave RIshabh Pant a standing ovation. #DDvGL #IPL #IPL2017 #RisabhPant pic.twitter.com/6V0KXwGgps

— Punit Sharma™ (@Punit127) May 4, 2017