Ahead of the game, both Delhi Capitals (DC) and the Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) were having just 10 points at the points table. However, on Saturday, at the Feroz Shah Kotla in New Delhi, it was the hosts, under the leadership of Shreyas Iyer, who came up all guns blazing by five wickets and a couple of balls to spare. With the victory, the Capitals remained at the third position of the points table. KXIP is still standing at the fourth position and it would want to make a comeback in their next encounter.
During the toss, the KXIP skipper, R Ashwin revealed that they have made three changes to the squad as Sam Curran, Harpreet Brar, and Hardus Viljoen came in the squad for Nicholas Pooran, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, and Arshdeep Singh. However, DC also made three changes to their squad as Colin Ingram, Sandeep Lamichhane, and Sherfane Rutherford came back in the squad in place of Colin Munro, Keemo Paul, and Chris Morris.
WATCH – Ingram And Patel Sends Chris Gayle In The Dressing Room
While batting first, the KXIP openers, Chris Gayle and KL Rahul started cautiously, but Rahul was dismissed by Lamichhane going to Rishabh Pant’s brilliant stumping after smashing the bowler for a six and a four. KXIP batsmen lost wickets in regular intervals as Mayank Agarwal was dismissed by Kagiso Rabada in the 5th over followed by David Miller getting dismissed by Axar Patel in the 7th over.
Punjab was reeling at 61/3 after Miller dismissal, then, Mandeep Singh and Gayle took the onus on them as they added 45 runs for the 4th wicket before the getting out in the 13th over owing to a brilliant combination catch of Colin Ingram and Axar. After Gayle’s dismissal, Mandeep also got out in the 17th over. However, some late blitz from Ashwin and Brar helped KXIP to reach the total of 163/7 in their quota of 20 overs.
WATCH – Mandeep Singh’s Direct Hit Leaves Prithvi Shaw Clueless
During the chase of 164 runs, the DC openers, Shikhar Dhawan and Prithvi Shaw started with a bang as despite scoring just 1 run in the first over, they amassed 24 runs in the next two overs. However, Shaw lost his wicket in the fourth over owing to a bulls-eye from Mandeep. After that dismissal, Dhawan made a solid partnership with Iyer as they added 92 runs for the second wicket before Shikhar getting out in the 14th overs after scoring a fifty.
After Dhawan’s dismissal, Pant again failed to make it big as he was soon dismissed by Hardus Viljoen in the 16th over. However, after Pant was back in the dug-out, Iyer and Ingram took the onus on them to take Delhi over the line and they added 27 runs for the 4th over before Ingram getting out in the penultimate over.
WATCH – Shikhar Dhawan Tempts R Ashwin To Do ‘Mankading’
Iyer also completed in fifty and after Ingram’s dismissal, Axar Patel got run out on the very next ball and they needed 6 runs in the final over and they won the game by 5 wickets and 2 balls to spare. Delhi registered their second win at home.
Brief Score:
Delhi Capitals – 166/5 in 19.4 overs (S Dhawan: 56, S Iyer: 58*; H Viljoen: 2/39) defeated Kings XI Punjab –163/7 in 20 overs (C Gayle: 69; S Lamichhane: 3/40, A Patel: 2/22) by 5 wickets and 2 balls to spare
Here is how Twitter reacted to Delhi’s second win at home:
Rishabh Pant must remember that even M.S Dhoni became the cult he is now when he started finishing off games… Pant needs to follow suit.. Finish them off, stay unbeaten .. #DCvMI
— Jatin Sapru (@jatinsapru) April 20, 2019
I just wish Kohli spanks Rishabh Pant and makes him realise what it means to be playing for India.Come on lad, you can't be so stupid to make recurring mistaks when you have already scored 100 in Eng and Aus. Just looks horrible to watch. I don't know how he is not seeing it.
— Rajguru Javalagaddi (@rajgurusj) April 20, 2019
So Rishabh Pant is just one season wonder like Paul Waulthaty……
Such overrated player 🙏#DCvKXIP— Shashank (@49shashank) April 20, 2019
Apparently, Rishabh Pant has no idea whether Raj and Simran got together.
Why?
As usual, he didn't stay till the end.— Ramesh Srivats (@rameshsrivats) April 20, 2019
Rishabh Pant is Maxwell of India..Maxwell batting excites so as Rishabh.. now maxwell is on top of his game after a long period of time.. and it can b happens only in team like Australia.. after so much failure ge still gets chances.. and now he is showing hid ability.. #CWC19
— mayank singh (@wishmayank) April 20, 2019
Typical Rishabh Pant dismissal that one.
He has a long way to go in the shorter formats as a batsman.
In Tests, he has the time and the guidance.TBH, Ishan Kishan has always been the better batsman of the two. Which is why he was the captain.#DCvKXIP @IPL @StarSportsIndia
— PK 🇮🇳 (@iPkoppula) April 20, 2019
Rishabh Pant is more style than substance. He is too raw, always trying to impress with flashy knocks. It will take sometime to get some sense and maturity in him. Useless short today too to get out. https://t.co/TGiWldrHFx
— Namit 🇮🇳 (@Namitraii) April 20, 2019
One more time.. Rishabh Pant never dispointed us #DCvKXIP https://t.co/4qMPW211r9
— Varun Kumar Singh (@VarunKumar65) April 20, 2019
It's high time for Rishab pant.
He should understand the game situation and paly according to it.
He just can't throw his wicket when the team needs him the most.#RishabhPant#DCvKXIP@RishabPant777— Rohan gupta (@rohanguptaoffl) April 20, 2019
Shreyas Iyer : Play defensive
Rishabh Pant : pic.twitter.com/ZYLHYSV5b0
— Sagar (@sagarcasm) April 20, 2019
