Picture Credit: BCCI/IPL
Delhi Capitals dictated the terms in the match against Punjab Kings as they defeated the latter by nine wickets with 57 balls to spare. After bundling out Mayank Agarwal & Co. at 115, David Warner and Prithvi Shaw did most things for their side to ensure a comprehensive win in the 32nd match of the season. The pair added quickfire 81/0 in the powerplay, which is also the highest by any side in the first six overs.
After being invited to bat first, Punjab openers Shikhar Dhawan and Mayank Agarwal added 33 runs for the first wicket before Lalit Yadav dismissed the former in 3.4 overs. The dismissal of Dhawan was followed by a massive middle-order collapse as none of the batters could build any substantial partnership in the first innings to steady Punjab's innings. Jitesh Sharma (32 off 23) did add a few runs on board, but Axar Patel soon trapped him leg before wicket.
Seven Punjab batters could not even reach a double-digit figure as Punjab was bundled out in 20 overs. Four of the Delhi bowlers picked two wickets each in the first innings and left Punjab with quite a low score to defend. Let's take a look at some of the highlights from the game.
1. A 33-run stand between Mayank Agarwal and Shikhar Dhawan
Both the senior batters provided a decent start to the game as they played a few good shots in the powerplay. Together they added 33 runs on board before Lalit Yadav took Dhawan's wicket. Although the 33-run stand speaks less of opening partnerships teams had previously stitched at Brabourne Stadium, the way the match turned out later, those 33 runs mattered too much for Punjab Kings.
2. Lethal bowling from Delhi Capitals
Delhi came to this game while battering with Covid scare as a couple of players and coaching staff tested Covid positive and missed out from the competition. However, it seemed to have less effect on Delhi's performance as the bowlers soon turned the game on Punjab's head. Lalit Yadav clinched the first crucial wicket for Delhi as he dismissed Shikhar Dhawan in the fourth over of the game and was later joined by others to bundle out Punjab at 115. Axar Patel emerged as a standout bowler as he picked two wickets in four overs and conceded just ten runs. Kuldeep Yadav, Khaleel Ahmed and Lalit Yadav too picked two wickets each in the game.
3. The 83-run stand between David Warner and Prithvi Shaw
Delhi had a low score to achieve, and the openers provided a flying start to their run-chase. Both the batters played blistering knocks in the second innings to add the highest total of 83 in the powerplay. Shaw was the only dismissal Delhi had in their second innings as he was caught by Nathan Ellis in 6.3 over. Joined by Sarfaraz Khan, Warner soon finished things in style as he hit a boundary to pass the winning target in 10.3 overs.