Thanks to a superb knock by Dhawan, Delhi Capitals registered an easy win over Punjab Kings in the 11th match of IPL 2021 played at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai on Sunday.
Delhi Capitals captain Rishabh Pant won the toss and decided to field first. Mayank Agarwal and KL Rahul put the pressure on debutant Lukman Meriwala hitting him for 20 runs in his first over. Punjab Kings openers just upped the ante with attacking strokes and making life tough for Delhi Capitals. At the end of the first six overs, Punjab Kings openers scored 59 for 0.
After the field restrictions, Punjab Kings openers continued their intent and put pressure on DC bowlers. At the end of the first timeout, Punjab Kings made 87 for 0. Mayank Agarwal looked impressive to complete his fifty off just 25 balls. Both openers showed their class hitting Kagiso Rabada for sixes and kept on piling pressure on DC bowlers. Meriwala got the breakthrough dismissing Agarwal providing a simple catch to Dhawan ending a strong 122 runs opening stand. KL Rahul looked impressive and completed his fifty off 45 balls.
At the end of the second timeout, Punjab Kings scored 128 for 1. After the timeout, Rabada dismissed the dangerous KL Rahul as Marcus Stoinis took an easy catch at deep midwicket. Delhi Capitals made a strong comeback with wickets of Chris Gayle and Nicolas Pooran cheaply. Sharukh Khan provided the impetus in the last over and helped Punjab Kings post 195 for 4 in 20 overs.
Chasing 196 runs to win, Delhi Capitals openers Prithvi Shaw and Shikhar Dhawan made use of the first six overs hitting the bad balls away for boundaries. With DC openers racing away, Arshdeep Singh dismissed the dangerous Shaw providing an easy catch to Chris Gayle at deep square leg. DC openers put on 59 runs in just 33 balls.
At the end of the first six overs, Delhi Capitals looked in a comfortable position at 62 for 1. With that, the first timeout was taken. After the timeout, Dhawan played with intent and put the bad balls away for boundaries. Steve Smith making his debut for Delhi Capitals struggled with timing. Dhawan completed his fifty off 31 balls keeping the momentum. Meredith got the wicket of Smith to give a breakthrough for Punjab Kings. Smith and Dhawan added 48 runs for the 2nd wicket.
Dhawan looked in sublime touch and kept on hitting boundaries at will. At the end of the second timeout, Delhi Capitals made 125 for 2. The southpaw kept on blasting boundaries and made Delhi Capitals on course for a win. Jhye Richardson struck for Punjab Kings getting rid of Dhawan who tried to paddle but was clean bowled. Dhawan and Pant added 45 runs for the 3rd wicket.
Marcus Stoinis was in cracking touch smacking Mohammed Shami for 20 runs including 2 no-balls. Deepak Hooda took a catch on the fourth attempt to dismiss Pant. Lalit Yadav also contributed a cameo while Marcus Stoinis hit winning runs helping Delhi Capitals register six wickets win with 10 balls to spare.
Delhi Capitals 198 for 4 in 18.2 overs (Dhawan 92, Shaw 32, Jhye Richardson 2/41) beat Punjab Kings 195 for 4 in 20 overs (Mayank Agarwal 69, Rahul 61, Meriwala 1/32) by six wickets.
Write a comment ...