Bengaluru, April 18: Delhi Capitals stormed to a six-wicket victory over Punjab Kings as they successfully pulled off the second highest run chase at the Wankhede Stadium on Sunday.
After electing to bowl in the second match of the first double-header of the 14th IPL season, the Capitals bowlers were hammered by Punjab openers KL Rahul and Mayank Agarwal. Birthday boy Rahul and Agarwal stitched together an opening stand of 122 off 77 to hand Punjab a flying start at the Wankhede.
At one point Punjab looked set to ease past the 200-mark. But a couple of quick wickets in the middle slowed down the Punjab innings. A quickfire 15 off 5 by Shahrukh Khan in the end saw Punjab Kings set a big target off 195.
But the Delhi openers made short work of the target as they chased it down effortlessly. Shikhar Dhawan and Prithvi Shaw scored a quickfire 59 off 33 for the opening stand.
Dhawan was the outstanding batsmen as he led from the front with a blistering 92 off 49. Marcus Stoinis played the finisher’s role as he played an unbeaten 27 off 13 to take Delhi to their second win of the season.
The Capitals chased down the total with ten balls to spare. Mohammed Shami bore the brunt of the bowlers as he leaked 53 runs in his four over spell.
With Sunday’s win, Delhi have now won two and lost one. Meanwhile, Punjab have lost two on the trot after winning their opener.
Here is how the DC vs PBLKS IPL match panned out:
End of the match: Shikhar Dhawan's sizzling innings crushed KL Rahul's hopes of picking up a win on his birthday as Delhi Capitals notched up a 6-wicket win over Punjab Kings. With Sunday's win Delhi have now won two matches out of the three played so far. Meanwhile, Punjab have lost two on the trot after winning their opener.
FOUR! And Stoinis finishes this off for Delhi as they bounce back with a six wicket win over Punjab Kings. This is the second highest successful run chase at the Wankhede
Another free hit awarded. Not the night for Punjab bowlers tonight
FOUR! A boundary to begin the over. Just three needed now
8 needed off the last two overs
FOUR!! Lalit Yadav off the mark with a boundary.
Lalit Yadav the new batsman in. DC need 15 off 16.
CAUGHT!! Rishabh Pant goes for 15 off 16. Hooda picks this up after four attempts at long on.
FOUR! Another slapped down the ground as Stoinis picks up another important boundary. DC now need 18 off 20
SIX!! And this has cost the Punjab Kings as Stoinis capitalises on the free hit to send this over long on for a maximum
Stoinis keeps his wicket and another free hit awarded!
Review for a catch at backward point
FOUR!! Stoinis slaps it straight down the ground for a boundary.
Free hit. A no ball at this stage is going to hurt Punjab. Stoinis on strike
Shami to Stoinis. A single to begin the over
8 runs come off the over. Delhi need 36 from 24
Dhawan's blistering knock has kept the runrate in check. Delhi now need 41 off 28. Pant, Stoinis need to finish it off for Delhi.
Marcus Stoinis the new batsman in
Another superb knock from Dhawan
Shikhar Dhawan is a classic example of how to maintain a good strike rate without taking undue risks. A great learning example for many players who get bogged down. This 92 Was a Champion knock @SDhawan25 , showing how it is done.#DCvsPBKS pic.twitter.com/882DZ19Dwr
— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) April 18, 2021
OUT!! Big wicket! Richardson denies Dhawan the century as the opener has been bowled for 92 off 49
SIX!! Rishabh Pant joins the party as he sends it over deep backward square leg for a maximum
Jhye Richardson, round the wicket. A single to begin the over
Expensive over from Meredith as 18 runs come off it
Three back-to-back boundaries to begin Meredith's over. Shikhar Dhawan enjoying an absolutely sensational innings tonight
SIX!! Dhawan skies this over long on
FOUR!! Dhawan keeps the momentum going for the run chase. Dhawan pulls this between deep midwicket and long-on. 10 runs come off the over.
Captain Rishabh Pant the new batsman in
OUT!! Steve Smith goes for 9 off 12 as he's caught by Richardson at third man. Meredith pockets a wicket as Delhi lose their second
FOUR! Dhawan pulls this past deep square
100 up for Delhi Capitals from 10.1 overs