Punjab Kings captain Shreyas Iyer said that his bowlers lacked discipline and control during their six-wicket defeat to Delhi Capitals in the IPL match. Asked to bat first, PBKS posted 206 for 8 with Iyer top-scoring with 53 off 34 balls while Marcus Stoinis played a quick cameo of 44 not out off just 16 balls, including three fours and four sixes as well.
DC, however, chased down the target of 207 with three balls in hand, with Sameer Rizvi scoring 58 not out off 25 balls, along with three fours and five sixes. Karun Nair and KL Rahul scored 44 and 35, respectively, as DC reached 208 for 4 in 19.3 overs as well.
“207 was a fantastic score on this wicket. There was some variable bounce and it wasn’t coming on at the same pace,” Iyer said at the post-match presentation. “We weren’t disciplined enough with ball. We assessed the wicket and decided to bowl hard lengths at the stumps, but we went overboard with bouncers trying to take wickets.”
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“Every team is equally poised in this tournament, you have to stay positive and calm. We’ll come back with a strong set of plans.” On the finger injury he sustained against Rajasthan Royals on May 18, Iyer said, “No issues with the body, just the finger, should be fine for the next game.”
However, DC captain Faf du Plessis felt finishing on a high note was important for them, though they failed to make it to the play-offs as well. He also opined on how the play-offs spot slipped away after four wins on the trot at the start of the IPL.
“Fifth (place) is a fair reflection of our season, need to be more consistent to be in the top-four,” he said. “(It’s) one of the great mysteries. Combination of confidence, lack of form and basics. When you’re playing well, small margins go with you. Every single time, there were five-six over windows in both batting and bowling where we let it slip. Vippy (Vipraj Nigam) was amazing this season, he was a find for us with the ball, he was good with bat too making him a great asset. Two or three batters who are great as well.”
