In what turned out to be a topsy-turvy game, Delhi Capitals pipped Punjab Kings by the narrow margin of 15 runs in scenic Dharamsala. The loss was a hammer blow for Punjab’s hopes of qualifying for the playoffs. They stay in eighth place with 12 points, and their net run rate of -0.308 also doesn’t make for good reading. Here are the major takeaways from the game.
Livingstone’s 94 in vain
Liam Livingstone, the powerful Lancashire batter, landed nine sixes and four fours in his splendid 48-ball 94, but still ended up on the losing side. With the required run-rate climbing all the time, he decided to up the ante by smacking two sixes and a four in the 17th over. He then proceeded to club Mukesh Kumar for two more sixes in the very next over. The last over bowled by Ishant Sharma had its share of thrills and spills. Livingstone did smack Ishant for a couple of sixes. The over also saw Ishant bowling a no-ball (above waist high), only for Livingstone to miss out on the free-hit as he tried to smack it too hard. By then, Punjab needed 16 off two balls, and the result was a foregone conclusion.
Delhi, and missed opportunities galore
In the eighth and tenth overs, Anrich Nortje and Yash Dhull both dropped sitters. Kuldeep Yadav turned out to be the unlucky bowler on both occasions. Meanwhile, Livingstone and Atharva Taide were the beneficiaries of the grassed chances. Incidentally, both went on to make valuable contributions. There were a few run-out opportunities missed as well.
Pace, bounce and high altitude
The match in Dharamsala was played at an altitude of 1457 m. The ball was travelling faster through the air, whenever any batter from either side was landing shots. The pitch also looked like the quickest track of IPL 2023 so far. As a result, it was offering true bounce for both pace bowlers and spinners. The batters certainly enjoyed the extra carry on offer.
Shaw finds some form at last
Prithvi Shaw finished with a decent hand of 54 from 38 balls. Considering the conditions, it was perhaps on the slower side, but Shaw would have felt better after going through a wretched season. Despite this effort, he has managed only 101 runs at an average of just over 14 this season.
Rossouw stars for Delhi; Dhawan’s curious move
Rilee Rossouw, Delhi’s left-hand batter from South Africa, enjoyed the extra bounce on offer as he crunched a game-breaking 37-ball 82. He smashed as many as six fours and six sixes in his blazing innings. Kagiso Rabada, Nathan Ellis and Harpreet Brar all came in for some punishment. Harpreet had to bowl the last over, conceding 22 runs. It was a curious move from Shikhar Dhawan, the Punjab captain, to give the last over to a left-arm spinner, with Rossouw at the crease. He wasn’t just in good batting rhythm, but the matchup was always going to favour a left-hand bat.