IPL 2022: DC vs PBKS Review – Delhi thump Punjab in a one-sided encounter
The Delhi Capitals got the better of northern rivals Punjab Kings by nine wickets in Match 32 of IPL 2022 at the Brabourne Stadium in Mumbai on April 20. The low-scoring encounter saw Delhi outclass Punjab in all three departments in what was a one-sided contest.
The coin landed in the favour of DC skipper Rishabh Pant who elected to have a bowl first. The Delhi unit brought their A-game to the field despite being bogged down by the COVID-19 outbreak in their camp in the last few days. They ensured that Mayank Agarwal, who made a comeback after missing the previous game due to a toe injury, had a day to forget.
It was a sorry looking scorecard for the Punjab Kings as only four batters including captain Agarwal (24), wicketkeeper-batter Jitesh Sharma (32), Shahrukh Khan and Rahul Chahar (12 each) managed to get to double-figures while the rest of the batting line-up including in-form Liam Livingstone failed to make any impact at all. Punjab were bowled out for a paltry 115.
In reply, Delhi reached the target without breaking a sweat with openers Prithvi Shaw and David Warner going berserk right from the word ‘go’. The duo gave the Punjab bowlers no breathing space and kept on dealing in boundaries by scoring at a brisk rate.
Shaw was eventually dismissed for a 20-ball 41 immediately after the Powerplay but not before adding an 83-run opening stand along with Warner, who kept the scoreboard taking and helped DC get past the finish line in just the 11th over. He remained unbeaten on 60 runs from 30 deliveries.
Top performers of the game
Axar Patel:
Axar Patel was Punjab’s wrecker-in-chief as he not only picked up the key wickets of Liam Livingstone and Jitesh Sharma but also applied the stranglehold on the batters and ensured that the runs were dried up. He finished with figures of 2//10 from his four overs at an economy rate of 2.5.
David Warner:
David Warner continues to be in splendid form in the ongoing IPL 2022. This was his third consecutive half-century and second that came in a winning cause. The southpaw’s quickfire 30-ball 60 included 10 fours and a maximum at a strike rate of exactly 200.
What’s next for both sides?
While the Delhi Capitals will next be seen in action against the Rajasthan Royals at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on April 22, the Punjab Kings will be locking horns with the defending champions Chennai Super Kings at the same venue on April 25.
