Punjab does what they do best’ – Delhi crushes Punjab in a must-win encounter to keep playoff hopes alive

Punjab Kings, Delhi Capitals (Image Credit : BCCI/IPL)

Punjab and Delhi locked horns in the 64th game of the Indian T20 League 2022 at the D.Y Patil Stadium in Mumbai. Punjab won the toss and elected to bowl in a game that was a must-win for both teams. Delhi got off to a bad start as they lost the wicket of David Warner on the first ball of the innings. Warner was caught at backward point by Rahul Chahar off Liam Livingstone.

Mitchell Marsh came in and stitched a partnership of 51 runs with Sarfaraz Khan in just 4.4 overs. Khan (32 off 16) was going well before he was caught at mid-on by Chahar off Arshdeep Singh. Lalit Yadav (24) came and added another 47 runs with Marsh before the former was caught at backward point by Bhanuka Rajapksa off Singh. In the next over, skipper Rishabh Pant (7) was stumped by Jitesh Sharma off Livingstone.

Two overs later, Rovman Powell (2) was caught at long-off by Shikhar Dhawan off Livingstone. This meant that the scoring rate dropped significantly. From 112/5 in 13.3 overs, Delhi went to 149/5 in 18.1 overs. In the 19th over, Marsh (63 off 48) was caught at deep midwicket by Rishi Dhawan off Kagiso Rabada. In the last over, Shardul Thakur (3) was dismissed by Harpreet Brar off Singh, and the team finished with 159/7. In reply, the Mayank Agarwal-led side got off to a great start.

Openers Jonny Bairstow and Shikhar Dhawan stitched a partnership of 38 runs in just 3.5 overs. Bairstow (28 off 15) was caught at deep square leg by Axar Patel off Anrich Nortje. Two overs later, Bhanuka Rajapaksa (4) was caught at backward point by Nortje off Thakur. This wicket triggered a collapse for the Men In Red. The team went from 53/1 to 82/7. Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav took two wickets each in this phase.

Jitesh Sharma (44) tried to take the team close with a partnership of 41 with Rahul Chahar, with the former doing bulk of the scoring. However, his wicket in the 18th over ended the minuscule hope of winning the game. They lost the game by 18 runs

This is how Twitter reacted

Punjab are doing everything they can to keep Delhi in the frame… #PBKSvsDC

— Vikrant Gupta (@vikrantgupta73) May 16, 2022

@PunjabKingsIPL has the worst team management 😞😞 #IPL2022

— Raghav Agrawal (@RaghavA33052033) May 16, 2022

Really love the Way Rishabh Pant is Doing captaincy ❤️ https://t.co/9HdycpK9A8

— Rishi🐼 (@rishisapra92) May 16, 2022

Punjab has once again done a Punjab today. On paper, Punjab Kings look a formidable team but season after season, it’s the same old story. Anil Kumble may have to answer a few tough questions from the owners. #PBKSvDC

— Rahul Rawat (@rawatrahul9) May 16, 2022

Injuries to key players, COVID scares, being unable to train for days on end, coach losing two of his closest friends from the cricketing world; this team has seen everything. They are still very far from the finished article, but today’s win feels special. #YehHaiNayiDilli

— Siddhant Shah (@thedhoklamonger) May 16, 2022

You biscuit KD in a pressure game. Well done Captain for giving him the confidence. He's a treasure to be looked after @imkuldeep18 #DCvsPBKS @DelhiCapitals #IPL2022 pic.twitter.com/d1Cra7Tk6V

— Ravi Shastri (@RaviShastriOfc) May 16, 2022

 

#DCvPBKS was swinging like a pendulum, insane game for the play off race.
18th over drama sums it up, Powell with a match saving stunt at the boundary, Warner with the terrific low catch of set Jitesh. Rabada first ball 6 & next ball out.
Fun for DC, Pain for PBKS, cricket won.

— Shrutika // Unreliable Car Season (@Shrustappen33) May 16, 2022

Right, so Kuldeep Yadav bowled 3 overs again.

On this pitch.

— Gaurav Sethi (@BoredCricket) May 16, 2022