IPL 2020: KXIP vs DC Review – Dhawan ton in vain as Punjab storm to victory
Kings XI Punjab are turning out to be giant killers in IPL 2020. After bringing down the Mumbai Indians in a thrilling double Super Over, they marched on to dominate the table-toppers Delhi Capitals in Dubai on Tuesday. Despite a sizzling, unbeaten hundred from Shikhar Dhawan, Delhi ended up on the losing side.
Chasing 165, Punjab started poorly, losing both their openers for a low score after a long time. But Chris Gayle slammed an aggressive 29 off 13 balls taking 26 runs off Tushar Deshpande’s first over. Nicholas Pooran then took charge and just blew away the opposition bowlers. His 28-ball 53 literally took the game away from DC. Glenn Maxwell also found some of his form back with a 24-ball 32 while Deepak Hooda and Jimmy Neesham finished the chase without any hiccups with one over and five wickets in hand.
Earlier, Shikhar Dhawan continued his amazing form and scored his fourth consecutive 50+ score this season. He didn’t stop after crossing the half-century mark and played his strokes with the determination to score big again. And he did so becoming the first-ever player in the IPL to score two back-to-back hundreds. He stayed unbeaten right through scoring 106 off 61 balls. But the rest of the batsmen didn’t support him much and DC ended up posting only 164 runs which cost them the game.
Turning Points
Pooran’s counter-attack: Pooran came in to bat after Gayle got out at 52/2 and it soon became 56/3 thanks to an ugly mix-up between him and Mayank Agarwal. However, Pooran then took it upon himself to win the game single-handedly for KXIP. The momentum which Gayle gave to the innings earlier, he just carried it forward after the powerplay. The southpaw didn’t spare any of the DC bowlers and that proved to be a crucial counter punch in the chase. If DC would’ve gotten another wicket quickly after 56/3, the game would have gone down the wire. But Pooran’s 28-ball 53 made it a one-sided encounter for them.
Top performers
Records/Personal Milestones
- Shikhar Dhawan became the first player to score consecutive tons in IPL and ninth overall in T20 cricket.
- Shikhar Dhawan completed 5000 runs in the IPL
- Rishabh Pant completed 50 IPL dismissals for DC – the first player to achieve the milestone for Delhi.
Way Ahead
While the Capitals face KKR on Saturday (October 24) afternoon in Abu Dhabi, the rejuvenated KXIP will lock horns against SRH on the same evening in Dubai.
Moment of the match
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Take a bow ?? Back to back 100s – first time ever in the history of IPL ??? #Dream11IPL #KXIPvDC
