DC vs PBKS Match Highlights
The 32nd match of the TATA IPL 2022 between Delhi Capitals and Punjab Kings was comfortably won by DC. Whereas PBKS batting first scored a low score of 115 runs, while in chase Delhi smashed them by 9 wickets, clinically in just 10.3 overs. This will, however, be the lowest score so far in the ongoing IPL 2022 season.
Despite the Capitals won the toss and chose to bowl first, which proved to be a sensible move mostly on teamwork, as their bowling unit appeared consistently strong. Punjab’s opening batters, skipper Mayank Agarwal (24), and Shikhar Dhawan (9), both fell short in quick session for Mustafizur Rahman and Lalit Yadav, respectively. Jonny Bairstow 9 (8) and Liam Livingstone 2 (3), who failed to stabilize themselves, were dismissed by Khaleel Ahmed and Axar Patel, respectively.
Next batsman, Jitesh Sharma attempted to establish the much-needed wicket-wicket partnership after losing back-to-back wickets, however, Axar came to attack and sacked him at 32(23). Following that, the wickets were seen to drop in rapid succession. No batter found the way to handle the DC bowling attack. Therefore, Punjab batters struggled to pick the accurate line and length.
‘PLAYER OF THE MATCH’ awarded to Kuldeep Yadav
The Delhi bowling team was dominant, with Kuldeep Yadav, Khaleel Ahmed, Lalit Yadav, and Axar each taking two wickets, whereas Mustafizur with one wicket sacked PBKS for just 115 runs.
DC opening batsman Prithvi Shaw and David Warner played a match-winning knock in their hunt for the PBKS’s low score. Inside the power play, the duo had the highest partnership and highest power-play score of 81 runs in the IPL 2022. Shaw and Warner smashed back-to-back boundaries, focusing on the NRR to propel their side to the climb up in the point table. However, after significant damage was done by Shaw, he was removed by Rahul Chahar at 41(20).
Furthermore, Warner, the man in form, carried the momentum by partnering with Sarfaraz Khan, which made the equation much easier upon punishing every ball delivered into his yard. Sarfaraz 12*(13) provided much support for Warner, who slammed an undefeated 60 (30) aggressively targeting every Punjab bowler. Finally, DC thrashed PBKS in just 10.3 overs to boost the NRR and climb the rankings.
“It’s a tough one, a day to forget for us, best to move on and not think too much into the game. We didn’t bat and bowl well, we just need to move on from today. We have been losing too many wickets too early, that’s a concern. Don’t want to dwell too much, if we do so, a lot of negatives will come out. A total of around 180 could have been competitive. In hindsight, I could have given a couple of overs early for the spinners, but I didn’t do so”, said PBKS captain Mayank Agarwal at the post-match presentation.
And, the DC captain Rishabh Pant: “Obviously there was confusion in our camp because in the morning we got to know that Tim (Seifert) is also positive. There was some confusion, nervousness and what are we going to do now kinda feeling, but we spoke in the team meeting and pointed out on what we can focus, there was so much noise from the outside that we thought we will focus on the match”.
“Mostly I like to leave them (Shaw and Warner) lone as everyone knows their roles in the team. We will look to improve in every match and that’s the only thing we can control, results are not in our control but we can learn from our mistakes. On a wicket like this I thought the ball was stopping a bit and that’s why I used more of the spinners”, concluded Pant.
