IPL 2021, DC vs PBKS: Shikhar Dhawan and Prithvi Shaw help Delhi Capitals climb 2nd in League standings

Shikhar Dhawan-inspired Delhi Capitals (DC) chased down Punjab Kings’ (PBKS) huge target of 196 with ten balls remaining. The victory moves Delhi to second in the Indian Premier League table. After being asked to bat, PBKS set the massive total at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai. Shikhar Dhawan, 92 off just 49 balls, lead Delhi’s incredible chase, while Prithvi Shaw gave DC the perfect start to chase down this huge total, scoring 32 off just 17 balls.

Earlier, Rishabh Pant, the DC captain, won the toss and asked PBKS to bat first on this batsman-friendly pitch. PBKS got off to a flyer, KL Rahul and Mayank Agarwal showed glimpses of their incredible partnership from the previous edition of IPL. The duo of Rahul and Mayank failed to get going in the initial 2 matches of the League. But on Sunday, Mayank went ballistic on the DC bowlers, scoring a quickfire 50 in just 25 balls which gave PBKS a much-needed opening stand.

Rahul and Mayank put on a 122-run partnership for the opening wicket. This gave PBKS a platform to build their innings on. With the likes of Chris Gayle, Deepak Hooda and Nicholas Pooran yet to bat, PBKS camp would have felt that they were in the driver’s seat.

The opening partnership was broken in the 12^th over by the debutant Lukman Meriwala, when he got rid of Mayank Agarwal with a slower ball. It bought a sigh of relief in the DC camp, they had nothing to be happy about until then. After the dismissal of Mayank, Rahul looked to change gears and went after the DC bowlers, but was sent back to the pavilion by Kagiso Rabada in the 15^th over.

The surprise big money signing, Shahrukh Khan played an excellent cameo, scoring 15 runs in just 5 balls which helped the PBKS reach their total.

The middle-order of PBKS should have produced more runs in the death, but some excellent bowling by Avesh Khan and Rabada restricted the deficit to 195 in 20 overs.

THE CHASE

In reply, DC’s openers, Shikhar Dhawan and Prithvi Shaw who are having a stellar season, continued to impress. Shaw got DC off to a flying start, scoring 35 of just 17 balls. He was soon dismissed by PBKS talisman Arshdeep Singh in the final over of powerplay. DC were cruising at this point, Dhawan, who is in great form, showed his worth to the selectors for his spot in the T20 world cup. With an exquisite knock of 92 in just 49 balls which got DC closer to the target.

Cameos from Marcus Stoinis (27*) and Lalith Yadav (12*) helped DC chase down a huge total quite comfortably.

The Delhi Capitals takes on Mumbai Indians on 20^th April and Punjab Kings will be facing SunRisers Hyderabad on 21^st April.