Delhi Capitals (DC) has once again reached the top of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021 points table with the help of the match-winning knock of 69 not out by Shikhar Dhawan. DC registered a 7-wicket win over the Punjab Kings (PBKS) at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. With 6 wins from 8 matches, Delhi has leapfrogged Chennai Super Kings (CSK) who suffered a 4-wicket loss to Mumbai Indians (MI) in Delhi on Saturday.
Shikhar Dhawan led a perfectly paced chase with various partnerships as DC comfortably chase down the target of 167 runs in just 17.4 overs. Dhawan regained the Orange Cap, as now he has amassed 379 runs in 8 matches. Mayank Agarwal’s valiant 99 not out on his captaincy debut went in vain as Punjab Kings’ total of 166 for 6 was not enough in Ahmedabad where dew set in during the chase and it made things a little difficult for the defending team.
WATCH – Prithvi Shaw Fell On His Knees After Suffering A Blow On His Box
Mayank was leading Punjab in the absence of KL Rahul who will be undergoing surgery after being diagnosed with acute appendicitis. Dhawan and Prithvi Shaw (22-ball 39) came up with yet another bulldozing opening partnership as they added 63 runs off just 37 balls.
Harpreet Brar continued his form from the last game as he broke the opening stand with another beauty of a delivery to castle Shaw but Dhawan and Steve Smith kept the scoreboard running in the middle-overs without taking many risks. Smith fell in the 13th over but Delhi Capitals were comfortably placed at 111 for 2 in just 13 overs.
Rishabh Pant (11-ball 14) and Shimron Hetmyer (4-ball 16) made sure the table-toppers chased the total without much of a delay. While Mohammed Shami and Riley Meredith were on the expensive side, Mayank missed a trick allowing Brar to bowl just three over who conceded 19 runs.
WATCH – Deepak Hooda Got Dismissed After A huge Comedy Of Errors
However, there was nothing wrong with Mayank Agarwal’s valiant knock. In his first match as captain in the IPL, he played a fiery knock of 99 not out in just 58 balls. Prabhsimran Singh fell for 12 and Chris Gayle was castled by Kagiso Rabada after the West Indies star got a start. Dawid Malan never managed to get going before being castled by Axar Patel. Mayank did the bulk of the scoring in the end overs to lift Punjab to a defendable total but it wasn’t enough for the side who are now at the 7th spot with 3 wins in 8 matches.
Here is how Twitterati reacted to DC’s win:
I would anyday play Chris Woakes to Smith . Too many chances. Punter has been too nice to Steve Smith. #DCvsPBKS
— Vikram Sathaye (@vikramsathaye) May 2, 2021
Sorry how can you play that shot @RishabhPant17 played. First ball you face, slip in place and backward point. Ridiculous!!! #DCvsPBKS
— Lisa Sthalekar (@sthalekar93) May 2, 2021
What a knock @mayankcricket , unfortunate not to get to triple figures but a knock that was fabulous! Felt @PunjabKingsIPL were short by 10 but they can certainly make it up with some disciplined bowling! Looks like an interesting chase for @DelhiCapitals ! #PBKSvsDC
— Kris Srikkanth (@KrisSrikkanth) May 2, 2021
Oh Mayank,,,,,,,,99*👏🏻👏🏻
— Ian bishop (@irbishi) May 2, 2021
Mighty Mayank #VIVOIPL #DCvsPBKS Brilliant while all struggled around him .. give him that extra run .. he deserves it 👏👏👏
— Russel Arnold (@RusselArnold69) May 2, 2021
A little fun between Rishabh Pant, Prithvi and Sarfaraz Khan after the match. pic.twitter.com/usHOZt1sVt
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) May 2, 2021
That smile. 😂😭😭 https://t.co/YweUeQL3Gi
— Manya (@CSKian716) May 2, 2021
Delhi Capitals moves to top of the points table in #IPL2021 with 6 wins lead by a new captain Rishabh Pant.
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) May 2, 2021
