IPL 2021 Delhi Capitals vs Punjab Kings highlights: Dhawan's fifty powers DC to win

Match synopsis: PBKS openers KL Rahul and Mayank Agarwal stitched an opening partnership of 122 runs to set a platform for a huge total. Rahul made 61 off 51 balls and Mayank hit 69 from 36 balls as PBKS were helped to 195/4 in 20 overs. DC were comfortable in the chase as opener Shikhar Dhawan hit a quick-fire 92 from 49 balls, hitting 13 fours and 2 sixes. DC reached the target in 18.2 overs and 6 wickets to sapre. Dhawan won the Player of the Match award for his blistering knock.

That would be all from the coverage of this match. Join us tomorrow as Chennai Super Kings face Rajasthan Royals at the Wankhede Stadium.

Player of the Match

DC's Shikhar Dhawan wins the Player of the Match award for his match-winning knock of 92 from 49 balls hitting 13 fours and 2 sixes.

Shikhar Dhawan:It was a conscious effort from my side. I knew I have to improve on that (strike rate). Started taking more risks. Not afraid of changes, always open towards it. Not scared of getting out as well. Have worked on a few shots. My slog shot has improved a lot. It was there earlier as well, but now I play it more freely. I'm more relaxed, having played for so many years. Don't take things for granted. Great opening with Prithvi. Happy with the way he played today and scored those 30-40 runs.

Rishabh Pant: Coming from a loss, winning the next match was important. Have already started enjoying captaincy. But we were under pressure at the start, the wicket was not doing much. Bowlers did a good job keeping them to 190. What Dhawan isgiving to the team is commendable. Want to keep it light so people can enjoy their cricket.

KL Rahul, PBKS captain:Victory would have been sweet, so it's slightly disappointing. But we have a lot of games, so hopefully, we come back stronger and win few games. Right now it looks 10-15 runs short, but I think 190-odd looked good. I and Mayank thought 180-190 would have been great on this wicket. Shikhar batted well, so congratulationsto them. When we come to Wankhade, bowling second is always a challenge. We prepare for such conditions. It does get difficultagainst these quality batters. I'm not saying that because I'm on the losing side. Are bowlers try to bowl with the wet ball, but it's always difficult to do that. I asked the umpires to change the ball a couple of times (as it was wet), but the rule book doesn't allow that.

DC 198/4 after 18.2 overs.

Meredith to bowl.

18.1Meredith to Lalit, FOUR! Full toss wide of off stump, Lalit hits the ball through backward point for a boundary. IT IS A NO BALL BECAUSE IT IS A WAIST HIGH FULL TOSS

18.1Meredith to Lalit, 1 run, good length ball on off stump, Lalit hits the ball to square-leg for a single.

18.2Meredith to Stoinis, FOUR! Good length ball on off stump, Stoinis hammers the ball to deep midwicket for a boundary and seal the match for DC!!!!

DC 188/4 after 18 overs.

Richardson to bowl.

17.1Richardson to Pant, WIKCET! CAUGHT! Slow good length ball on off stump, Pant hits the ball straight down the ground. Hooda standing at long-on gets a grip on the ball on fourth attempt.

Lalit Yadav walks out to bat.

17.2Richardson to Stoinis, 1 run, fuller ball on off stump, Stoinis drives the ball sweeper cover for a single.

17.3Richardson to Lalit, dot, slow ball on off stump, Lalit goes for a sweep but fails to conncet.

17.4Richardson to Lalit, FOUR! Full ball on off stump, Lalit sweeps and this time he connects and hits the ball from the meat of his bat to send it to square-leg for a boundary.

17.5Richardson to Lalit, 2 runs, full toss , Lalit skies the ball high in the air, the ball falls safely as Lalit completes a couple.

17.6Richardson to Lalit, 1 run, full and straight ball, Lalit hits the ball to cover for a single.

DC 180/3 after 17 overs.

Shami to bowl.

16.1Shami to Stoinis, 1 run, full and straight ball on middle stump, Stoinis hits the ball straight and gets a single.

16.2Shami to Pant, 1 run, fuller ball on off stump, Pant drives the ball down to long-on for a single.

OH NO Shami has overstepped and it is a NO BALL.

FREE HIT!

16.2Shami to Stoinis, FOUR! Fuller ball on middle stump, Stoinis thumps the ball straight down the ground for a boundary.

16.3Shami to Stoinis, waist-high full toss, Stoinis cuts the ball straight to the man at backward point.

So it is another NO BALL.

Another FREE HIT LOADING!

16.3Shami to Stoinis, SIX! Short ball on off stump, Stoinis rocks back and smokes the ball over deep midwicket fence for a maximum!!!!!

16.4Shami to Stoinis, FOUR! Full and straight ball, Stoinis powers the ball straight down the ground for a boundary.

16.5Shami to Stoinis, 1 run, full delivery on off stump, Stoinis drives the ball straight down the ground for a single.

16.6Shami to Pant, 1 run, fuller ball on off stump, Pant hammers the ball down to deep midwicket for a single.

DC 160/3 after 16 overs.

Arshdeep to bowl.

15.1Arshdeep to Pant, 1 run, short ball on off stump, Pant pulls and sends the ball down to fine-leg for a single.

15.2Arshdeep to Stoinis, 2 runs, fuller ball on off stump, Stoinis drives the ball through extra-cover for a couple.

15.3Arshdeep to Stoinis, 1 run, slow good length ball on off stump, Stoinis drives the ball through backward point for a single.

15.4Arshdeep to Pant, 1 run, slow low full toss, Pant whips the ball to deep midwicket for a single.

15.5Arshdeep to Stoinis, 2 runs, slow back of the length ball on off stump, Stoinis cuts the ball through backward point for a couple.

15.6Arshdeep to Stoinis, 1 run, fuller ball on leg stump, Stoinis hits the ball to the leg side for a single.

DC 152/3 after 15 overs.

Richardson to bowl.

14.1Richardson to Dhawan, 1 run, full toss wide of off stump, Dhawan hits the ball to leg side for a single.

14.2Richardson to Pant, SIX! Fuller ball on middle stump, Pant whips and sends the ball flying over backward square-leg for a maximum!!!!!

14.2Richardson to Pant, WIDE! Full ball fired down the leg side.

14.3Richardson to Pant, dot, slow good length ball on middle stump, the ball raps on the pads and Pant just manages to stop the ball from rolling back on to stumps.

14.4Richardson to Pant, 1 run, fuller ball on off stump, Pant hits the ball down to long-on for a single.

14.5Richardson to Dhawan, BOWLED! Slow and full delivery on middle stump, Dhawan moves way across his stumps to sweep the ball but he cannot hit the ball this time around and the ball hits the base of the middle stump. ]

Marus Stoinis walks out to bat.

14.6Richardson to Stoinis, dot, fuller ball on off stump, Stoinis drives the ball to mid-off.

DC 143/2 after 14 overs.

Meredith to bowl.

13.1 Meredith to Dhawan, FOUR! Good length ball on middle stump, Dhawan takes two steps to off side and hammers the ball down to fine-leg for a boundary.

13.2Meredith to Dhawan, FOUR! Short ball wide of off stump, Dhawan cuts and sends the ball through backward point for a boundary.

13.3Meredith to Dhawan, FOUR! Short ball on off stump, Dhawan hooks and sends the ball to backward square-leg for third boundary of the over.

13.3Meredith to Dhawan, FOUR WIDES!! Full ball fired down the leg side, Rahul puts in a dive to stop the ball but he cannot as the ball goes down to fine-leg boundary.

13.4Meredith to Dhawan, 1 run, good length ball on off stump, Dhawan sends the ball down to backward square-leg for a single.

13.5Meredith to Pant, dot, good length ball on off stump, Pant is squared as the ball takes the outside edge and just falls short of KL Rahul.

13.6 Meredith to Pant, dot, good length ball on middle and leg, the ball raps on the pads.

DC 125/2 after 13 overs

Shami to bowl.

12.1 Shami to Pant, dot, good length ball on off stump, Dhawan drives the ball back in the direction of Shami.

12.2Shami to Pant, 1 run, good length ball on off stump, Pant hits the ball to off side for a single.

12.3Shami to Dhawan, SIX! Fuller ball on off stump, Dhawan steps out of his crease and hammers the ball over long-off for a maximum!!!!!!!

12.4Shami to Dhawan, 1 run, good length ball wide of off stump, Dhawan hits the ball through backward point for a single.

12.5Shami to Pant, dot, fuller ball on off stump, Pant drives the ball down to mid-off.

12.6Shami to Pant, dot, back of the length ball on off stump, Pant goes on his toes and blocks the ball with a straight bat.

DC 107/2 after 11 overs.

Riley Meredith to bowl.

10.1Meredith to Smith, 1 run, fuller ball on middle and leg, Smith guides the ball down to fine-leg for a single.

10.2Meredith to Dhawan, 1 run, fuller ball on off stump, Dhawan flicks the ball to the leg side for a single.

10.3Meredith to Smith, 1 run, slow good length ball on off stump, Smith works the ball down to deep mid-wicket for another single.

10.4Meredith to Dhawan, FOUR! Good length ball on off stump, Dhawan slaps the ball to deep square-leg for a boundary.

10.5Meredith to Dhawan, 1 run, short ball on off stump, Dhawan pulls and sends the ball to deep mid-wicket for a single.

10.6Meredith to Smith, WICKET! CAUGHT! Back of the length ball on leg stump, Smith makes room and cuts. The ball flies straight into the hands of Jhye Richardson at third-man.

DC 99/1 10 overs

Richardson to bowl.

9.1Richardson to Dhawan, 2 runs, good length ball, Dhawan hits the ball behind square for a couple.

9.2Richardson to Dhawan, 1 run, good length ball on off stump, Dhawan hits the ball to mid-wicket for a single and get to his FIFTY!!!!

9.3Richardson to Smith, 1 run, fuller ball on off stump, Smith plays the ball down to long-on for a single.

9.4Richardson to Dhawan, dot, slow bouncer, Dhawan leaves the ball for Rahul.

9.5Richardson to Dhawan, SIX! Good length ball on off stump, Dhawan slogs and sends the ball flying over square-leg for a maximum!!!!

9.6Richardson to Dhawan, 2 runs, fuller ball, Dhawan hits the ball to the leg side for a couple.

DC 87/1 9 overs

Hooda to bowl.

8.1Hooda to Smith, 1 run, fuller ball, Smith slogs the ball down to llong-on for a run.

8.2Hooda to Dhawan, 1 run, short ball on off stump, Dhawan makes room and cuts the ball through cover for a single,

8.3Hooda to Smith, 1 run, short ball, Smith hits the ball to sweeper cover for a single.

8.4Hooda to Dhawan, FOUR! Fuller ball, Dhawan sweeps, the ball takes the under edge of the bat and runs down to fine-leg

8.5Hooda to Dhawan, FOUR! Fuller ball on off stump, Dhawan drives the bal wide of Gayle at backward point for a boundary.

8.6Hooda to Dhawan, 1 run, short ball, Dhawan hits the ball to deep mid-wicket for a single..

DC 75/1 8 overs

Jalaj to bowl.

7.1Jalaj to Smith, 1 run, fuller ball on middle and leg, Smith drives the ball down to long-on for a single.

7.2Jalaj to Dhawan, huge appeal for LBW as Dhawan looks to sweep but misses and the ball hits the pads. The umpire gives that as not out.

7.3Jalaj to Dhawan, dot, yorker, Dhawan digs the ball out.

7.4Jalaj to Dhawan, 1 run, full toss wide of off stump, Dhawan hits the ball down to deep mid-wicket for a single

7.5Jalaj to Smith, 1 run, short ball wide of off stump, Smith cuts the ball to sweeper cover for a single.

7.6Jalaj to Dhawan, FOUR! Short and wide, Dhawan thumps the ball straight down the ground for a boundary.

DC 68/1 7 overs

Deepak Hooda to bowl.

6.1 Hooda to Dhawan, 1 run, fuller delivery on middle stump, Dhawan drives the ball to cover point for a single.

6.2 Hooda to Smith, 1 run, fuller ball on off stump, Smith pushes the ball down to long-on for a single.

6.3Hooda to Dhawan, 1 run, short ball, Dhawan pulls and sends the ball down to deep mid-wicket for a single.

6.4Hooda to Smith, dot, shot ball wide of off stump, Smith cuts and sends the ball to cover.

6.5Hooda to Smith, 1 run, fuller ball, Smith drives the ball down to long-on for a single.

6.6Hooda to Dhawan, 1 run, short and wide, Dhawan slaps the ball through cover for a single.

DC 62/1 6 overs

Arshdeep to bowl.

5.1Arshdeep to Shaw, 1 run, fuller ball, Shaw nudges the ball toleg side for a single.

5.2Arshdeep to Dhawan, 1 leg bye, back of the length ball on middle and leg stump, the ball raps on the pads and goes to cover as Dhawan takes a single.

5.3Arshdeep to Shaw, WICKET! CAUGHT! Slow short ball on off stump, Shaw goes for a pull, the ball balloons high in the air and Gayle takes a good catch.

Steve Smith walks out to bat.

5.4 Arshdeep to Dhawan, 1 run, fuller ball on off stump, Dhawan hits the ball to mid-off for a single.

5.5Arshdeep to Smith, 1 run, back of the length ball on off stump, Smith shuffles across and plays the ball to the leg side for a single.

5.6Arshdeep to Dhawan, 1 run, slow fuller ball on off stump, Dhawan nudges the ball to cover for a single.

DC 57/0 after 5 overs.

Shami to bowl.

4.1Shami to Dhawan, FOUR! Short ball on off stump, Dhawan pulls and sends the ball down to fine-leg

4.2Shami to Dhawan, dot, fuller ball on off stump, Dhawan guides the ball to point.

4.3Shami to Dhawan, dot, good length ball on off stump, Dhawan hits the ball to cover.

4.4Shami to Dhawan, 2 runs, slightly back of the length ball on off stump, Dhawan hits the ball to square-leg for a couple.

4.5Shami to Dhawan, FOUR! Back of the length ball wide of off stump, Dhawan plays a square-cut for a boundary.

4.6Shami to Dhawan, FOUR! Fuller ball on off stump, Dhawan punches the ball through the gap between the man at mid-off and extra-cover for a boundary.

DC 43/0 after 4 overs.

Jhye Richardson to bowl.

3.1Richardson to Shaw, dot, full ball on middle and leg, Shaw guides the ball to mid-on.

3.2Richardson to Shaw, BEATEN! Godo length ball on off stump, Shaw looks to block the ball with a straight bat but the ball flies past the outside edge

3.3Richardson to Shaw, FOUR! Slightly short ball on off stump, Shaw goes back in his crease and pulls to send the ball behind square on the leg side for a boundary.

3.4Richardson to Shaw, 1 run, good length ball on off stump, Shaw drives the ball to mid-off for a run.

3.5Richardson to Dhawan, 1 run, good length ball on off stump, Dhawan hits the ball down to third-man for a single.

3.6Richardson to Shaw, SIX! Sensational from Shaw, fuller ball on off and middle, Shaw plays an inside out shot to send the ball flying over long-off for a maximum!!!!!!

DC 31/0 after 3 overs.

Jalaj Saxena to bowl.

2.1Jalaj to Dhawan, 1 run, good length ball on off stump, Dhawan punches the ball down to long-off for a single.

2.2Jalaj to Shaw, FOUR! Fuller ball on off stump, Shaw plays an inside out shot to clear mid-off for a boundary.

2.3Jalaj to Shaw, dot,

2.4Jalaj to Shaw, 1 run, short ball on off stump, Shaw hits the ball down to long-on for a single.

2.5Jalaj to Dhawan, dot, back of the length ball wide of off stump, DHawan cuts the ball to backward point.

2.6Jalaj to Dhawan, FOUR! Short ball wide of off stump, Dhawan takes a step to off side and slogs the ball to deep mid-wicket for a boundary.

DC 21/0 after 2 overs.

Mohammed Shami to bowl.

1.1 Shami to Dhawan, dot, good length ball around off, the ball shapes back in and takes the inside edge and raps on the pads.

1.2Shami to Dhawan, dot, good length ball on off stump, Dhawan hits the ball to point.

1.3Shami to Dhawan, 1 run, full ball on leg stump, Dhawan looks to play the ball to the leg side, the ball hits the toe end of the bat and goes to mid-on as Dhawan completes a single.

1.4Shami to Shaw, FOUR! Good length ball on off stump, Shaw looks to play the ball to the leg side but is squared, the ball takes a thick edge and runs down to third man for a boundary.

1.5Shami to Shaw, dot, good length ball on off stump, Shaw pushes the ball to cover.

1.6Shami to Shaw, SIX! Shami bowls full on middle and leg, Shaw lifts and swings his bat to send the ball over long-on boundary for a maximum!!!!!!!!

DC 10/0 after 1 over.

Arshdeep Singh to bowl the first over of the inning.

0.1 Arshdeep to Shaw, dot, back of the length ball wide of off stump, Shaw cuts and sends the ball to cover.

0.2Arshdeep to Shaw, 2 runs, back of the length ball on off stump, Shaw drives the ball through cover for a couple.

0.3Arshdeep to Shaw, 2 runs, short ball on off stump, Shaw pulls and sends the ball to square-leg for another couple.

0.4Arshdeep to Shaw, 1 run, good length ball on middle stump, Shaw guides the ball behind square on the leg side for a single.

0.5Arshdeep to Dhawan, FOUR! Short ball drifting down the leg side, Dhawan pulls and sends the ball down to fine-leg for a boundary.

0.6Arshdeep to Dhawan, 1 run, good length ball on off stump, Dhawan hits the ball down to long-on for a single.

Back live! The chase is about to commence. The Punjab players are in a huddle as KL Rahul gives final bits of encouraging words to his team. And out come Prithvi Shaw in the company on Shikhar Dhawan to open the inning for DC.

PBKS 195/4 after 20 overs.

Woakes to bowl.

19.1Woakes to Shahrukh, FOUR! Good length ball on off stump, Shahrukh cracks the ball through cover for a boundary.

19.2Woakes to Shahrukh, dot, good length ball around off. Shahrukh hits the ball to cover.

19.3Woakes to Shahrukh, FOUR! Full ball wide of off stump, Shahrukh hits the ball down to third-man for a boundary.

19.4Woakes to Shahrukh, SIX! Full ball on off sstump, Shahrukh blasts the ball over long-on for a maximum!!!!

19.5Woakes to Shahrukh, 1 run, good length ball on off stump, Shahrukh gets an inside edge and the balll hits the pads. Shahrukh takes a single.

19.6Woakes to Hooda, 1 run, slow good length ball on off stump, Hooda edges the ball behind stumps and gets a single.

PBKS 179/4 after 19 overs

Avesh to bowl.

18.1 Avesh to Hooda, 1 run,

18.2Avesh to Pooran, 1 run, full ball wide of off stump, Pooran drives the ball and sends it to the man at sweeper cover for a single.

18.3Avesh to Hooda, SIX! Full ball on off stump, Hooda slashes the ball over extra-cover for a maximum!!!!!

18.4Avesh to Hooda, 1 leg bye! Slow ball on off stump, the ball raps on the pads and there is an appeal for LBW. The umpire gives that as not out. Pant takes the review and the review shows that it is the umpire's call.

18.5Avesh to Pooran, WICKET! CAUGHT! Full ball wide of off stump, Pooran hits the ball over cover and Rabada at sweeper cover takes a good catch.

Shahrukh Khan walks out to bat.

18.6Avesh to Shahrukh, dot, full ball wide of Shahrukh's arc, the batsman swings his bat but fails to connect.

PBKS 170/3 after 18 overs.

Rabada to bowl.

17.1Rabada to Pooran, 1 run, fuller ball on off stump, Pooran hits the ball to cover for a run.

17.2Rabada to Hooda, 1 run, slow back of the length ball on off stump, Hooda makes room and hits the ball through cover for a single.

17.3Rabada to Pooran, dot, full and straight ball on off stump, Pooran drives the ball straight and Radada stops the ball.

17.4Rabada to Pooran, FOUR! Back of the length ball, Pooran hammers the ball down to deep mid-wicket for a single.

17.5Rabada to Pooran, 1 run, fuller ball on off stump, Pooran drills the ball down to long-on for a single.

17.6Rabada to Hooda, 1 run, slow back of the length ball on off stump, Hooda cuts the ball to the fielder at sweeper cover for a single.

PBKS 162/3 after 17 overs.

Woakes to bowl.

16.1Woakes to Hooda, 1 run, fuller length ball on leg stump, Hooda drives the ball down to long-on for a single.

OH NO IT IS A NO BALL!

FREE HIT BALL COMING UP WITH GAYLE ON STRIKE.

16.1Woakes to Gayle, SIX! Full ball way outside the off stump, Gayle swings his heavy bat to slice the ball over cover for a maxiumum!!!!!

16.2Woakes to Gayle, WICKET! CAUGHT! Slow full ball wide of off stump, Gayle goes for a slog. The ball takes the toe end of the bat and lobs to the substitute fielder at cover.

Nicholas Pooran walks out to bat.

16.3Woakes to Hooda, 1 run, slow back of the length ball on leg stump, Hooda makes room and hits the ball to backward point for a single.

16.4Woakes to Pooran, 1 run, full ball wide of off stump, Pooran drives the ball through cover for a single.

16.5Woakes to Hooda, 1 run, good length ball on off stump, Hooda hits the ball to the off side for a single.

16.6Woakes to Pooran, 1 run, full ball wide of off stump, Pooran drives the ball to mid-off for a single.

PBKS 150/2 after 16 overs.

Rabada to bowl.

15.1Rabada to Gayle, 1 run, slow full ball on off stump, Gayle pushes the ball to mid-off for a single.

15.2Rabada to Rahul, WICKET! CAUGHT! Full delivery on middle stump, Rahul lobs the ball over mid-wicket and the ball goes straight to Marcus Stoinis at deep mid-wicket and Stoinis makes no mistake this time around. Rahul departs.

Deepak Hooda walks out to bat.

15.3Rabada to Hooda, SIX! Short ball on leg stump, Hooda hooks and sends the ball flying over behind square on the leg side for a maximum!!!

15.4Rabada to Hooda, 2 runs, full ball on off stump, Hooda hits the ball down to long-on for a couple.

15.5Rabada to Hooda, 1 run, fuller ball on off stump, Hooda squeezes the balldown to third man for a single.

15.6Rabada to Gayle, dot, bouncer around off stump, Gayle leaves the ball for Pant.

PBKS 140/1 after 15 overs.

Avesh to bowl.

14.1Avesh to Rahul, DROPPED! Full and fast ball on off stump, Rahul hammers the ball, the ball flies to Marcus Stoinis at extra-cover who dops the ball.

14.2Avesh to Rahul, SIX! Fuller delivery on off stump, Rahul flashes his blade to send the ball flying over cover for a maximum!!!!!!

14.3Avesh to Rahul, 1 run, slow ball on middle stump, Rahul hits the ball down to long-on for a run.

14.4Avesh to Gayle, 1 run, full delivery wide of off stump, Gayle drives the ball through cover and gets another single.

14.5Avesh to Rahul, FOUR! Full toss outside off stump, Rahul opens the face of the bat and works the ball through backward point for a boundary.

14.6Avesh to Rahul, dot, bouncer, Rahul ducks and leaves the ball for Rishabh Pant.

PBKS 128/1 after 14 overs.

Ashwin to bowl.

13.1Ashwin to Gayle, 1 run, good length ball on off stump, Gayle hits the ball to backward point for a single.

13.2Ashwin to Rahul, dot, short ball on off stump, Rahul cuts the ball to backward point.

13.3Ashwin to Rahul, 1 run, fuller ball on middle stump, Rahul drives the ball down to long-on for a single.

13.4Ashwin to Gayle, 1 run, good length ball on off stump, Gayle hits the ball down to long-off for a single.

13.5Ashwin to Rahul, 1 run, fuller ball, Rahul drives the ball through cover for a single and get to his FIFTY!

13.6Ashwin to Gayle, dot, good length ball on off stump, Gayle hits the ball to the off side.

PBKS 124/1 after 13 overs.

Meriwala to bowl.

12.1 Meriwala to Mayank, dot, full and fast ball on off stump, Mayank clears his front legs and hits the ball to mid-off.

12.2Meriwala to Mayank, 1 run, full ball on middle and leg, Mayank hits the ball to the leg side for a single.

12.3Meriwala to Rahul, 1 run, slow good length ball on off stump, Rahul cuts the ball to backward point for a run.

12.4Meriwala to Mayank,WICKET! Slow full ball wide of off stump, Mayank hits the ball over cover and the ball goes straight to Shikha Dhawan at sweeper cover position who makes no mistake. First wicket for Meriwala in IPL!!!!!

Chris Gayle walks out to bat.

12.5Meriwala to Rahul, 1 run, full toss on middle stump, Rahul drives the ball down to long-off for a single.

12.6Meriwala to Gayle, 1 run, full and fast ball wide of off stump, Gayle thumps the ball through cover for a single and open his account.

PBKS 120/0 after 12 overs

Avesh to bowl.

11.1Avesh to Rahul, 2runs, slow off-cutter on off stump, Rahul thumps the ball to mid-wicket where Shaw puts in a dive and stops the ball.

11.2Avesh to Rahul, 1 run, fulelr ball on off stump, Rahul drives the ball down to long-off for a single.

11.3Avesh to Mayank, 1 run, good length ball on off stump, Mayank hits the ball down to third-man for a single.

11.4Avesh to Rahul, 1 run, fuller ball on off stump, Rahul hits the ball sweeper cover for a single.

11.5Avesh to Mayank, dot, slow bouncer wide of off stump, Manak looks to cut but misses.

11.6Avesh to Mayank, slow full ball wide of off stump, Mayank hits the ball through backward point for a single.

PBKS 114/0 after 11 overs.

Rabada to bowl.

10.1Rabada to Mayank, SIX! Fuller delivery on off stump, Mayank spanks the ball over cover for a maximum!!!!!

10.2Rabada to Mayank, SIX! Short ball on middle stump, Mayank pulls and sends the ball way way back in the stands.

10.3Rabada to Mayank, 1 run, short ball on leg stump, Mayank pulls and sends the ball behind square on the leg side for a single.

10.4Rabada to Rahul, SIX! Short ball on middle stump, Rahul pulls and the ball flies back into the stands.

10.5Rabada to Rahul, dot, full and fast ball on middle and leg, Rahul looks to flick the ball to the leg side but fails to connect and the ball raps on the pads.

10.6Rabada to Rahul, 1 run, slow fuller ball on off stump, Rahul drives the ball to mid-off for a single.

PBKS 94/0 after 10 overs.

Avesh Khan to bowl.

9.1 Avesh to Mayank, dot, fuller ball on off stump, Mayank drives the ball back to Avesh.

9.2 Avesh to Mayank, BEATEN! Good length ball on off stump, the ball pitches on off stump and comes back in to beat the bat and go to Pant.

9.3 Avesh to Mayank, FOUR! Short ball on middle and leg stump, Agarwal pulls and sends the ball down to fine-leg for a boundary. And Mayank also gets to his FIFTY!

9.4 Avesh to Mayank, 2runs, good length ball on off stump, Mayank guides the ball down to third-man for a couple.

9.5 Avesh to Mayank, 1 run, back of the length ball on off stump, Mayank pulls to send the ball down to square-keg for a single.

9.6 Avesh to Rahul, dot, good length ball on off stump, Rahul hits the ball to cover.

PBKS 74/0 after 8 overs.

Lalit Yadav to bowl.

7.1 Lalit to Mayank, 1 run, short ball on leg stump, Mayank hits the ball to the leg side for a single.

7.2Lalit to Rahul, FOUR! Short ball on off stump, Rahul hammers the ball down to deep mid-wicket for a boundary.

7.3Lalit to Rahul, dot, short ball on off stump, Rahul cuts and sends the ball to deep point.

7.4Lalit to Rahul, FOUR! Short ball on off stump, Rahul plays a late cut and sends the ball behind point for a boundary.

7.5Lalit to Rahul, 1 run, full toss on off stump, Rahul drives the ball down to long-off for a single.

7.6Lalit to Mayank, 1 run, fuller ball on off stump, Mayank drills the ball down to long-on for a single.

PBKS 59/0 after 6 overs.

Kagiso Rabada to bowl.

5.1Rabada to Rahul, FOUR! Back of the length ball on off stump, Rahul goes deep in his crease and hits the ball behind square on the off side for a boundary.

5.2Rabada to Rahul, dot, good length ball on off stump, Rahul punches the ball to cover.

5.3Rabada to Rahul, BEATEN! Back of the length ball on off stump, Rahul goes for a cut but misses.

5.4Rabada to Rahul, FOUR LEG BYES! Short ball on leg stump, the ball brushes the pads and goes down to fine-leg boundary.

5.5Rabada to Rahul,dot, short back of the length ball on off stump, Rahul cuts and sends the ball to cover.

5.6Rabada to Rahul, 1 run, fuller ball on leg stump, Rahul drives the ball to mid-on for a single.

PBKS 50/0 after 5 overs.

R Ashwin to bowl.

4.1Ashwin to Rahul, dot., back of the length ball, Rahul hits the ball to cover.

4.2Ashwin to Rahul, 1 run, back of the length ball drifting on pads, Rahul guides the ball down to long-on for a single.

4.3Ashwin to Mayank, 1 run, fuller ball on middle stump, Mayank guides the ball to deep mid-wicket for a run.

4.4Ashwin to Rahul, dot, full and fast ball on middle stump, Rahul pushes the ball back to Ashwin.

4.5Ashwin to Rahul, FOUR! Short ball on off stump, Rahul pulls and sends the ball to square-leg for a boundary.

4.6Ashwin to Rahul, 1 run, fuller ball on middle stump, Rahul hits the ball down to long-on for a single.

PBKS 43/0 after 4 overs.

Meriwala to bowl.

3.1Meriwala to Mayank, dot, back of the length ball on leg stump, Mayank hits the ball to mid-off.

3.2Meriwala to Mayank, 2 runs, short delivery wide of off stump, Mayank cuts and sends the ball wide of the man at backward point for a couple.

3.3Meriwala to Mayank, FOUR! Back of the length ball on middle and leg stump, Mayank uses the pace on the ball to guide the ball down to backward square-leg for a boundary.

3.4Meriwala to Mayank, 1 run, good length ball on off stump, Mayank hits the ball to the off side for a single.

3.5Meriwala to Rahul, BEATEN! Good length delivery on off stump, the ball moves away after pitching and goes past the edge of the bat.

3.6Meriwala to Rahul, 1 run, fuller ball on off stump, Rahul pushes the ball to mid-off for a single.

PBKS 35/0 after 3 overs.

Woakes to bowl.

2.1Woakes to Rahul, dot, back of the length ball wide of off stump, Rahul looks to cut but the ball takes the inside edge and goes to backward point.

2.2Woakes to Rahul, dot, fuller ball, Rahul pushes the ball to the off side.

2.3Woakes to Rahul, 1 run, slow ball wide of off stump, Rahul cuts the ball through cover for a single.

2.4Woakes to Mayank, FOUR! Slow back of the length delivery down the leg side, Mayank pulls and sends the ball own to long-leg for a bounadry.

2.5Woakes to Mayank, FOUR! Short ball on middle stump, Mayank pulls and sends the ball down to fine-leg for another boundary.

2.6Woakes to Mayank, 1 Lge Bye! Short ball on middle and leg, the ball raps on the pads and goes to the leg side as Manayan settles for a single.

PBKS 25/0 after 2 overs.

Lukman Meriwala to bowl.

1.1 Meriwala to Rahul, FOUR! Fuller delivery wide of off stump, Rahul leans and drives the ball through cover for a boundary.

1.2Meriwala to Rahul, DROPPED! Full delivery wide of off stump, Rahul drives and the ball flies to Steve Smith at backward point, Smith stretches his arms over his head to take the catch but the ball slips from his grips, Rahul takes a single.

1.3Meriwala to Rahul, 1 run, fuller delivery, Rahul pushes the ball to the off side for a single.

1.4Meriwala to Mayank, FOUR! Fuller delivery outside off stump, Mayank crunches the ball through cover for a boundary.

oh no it is a NO-BALL too!!!!

FREE HIT ball coming up.

1.4Meriwala to Mayank, SIX! Fuller delivery on middle stump, Matank clears his front leg out of the way and slogs the ball straight down the ground for the first maximum of the contest.

1.5Meriwala to Mayank, dot, good length ball on middle stump, Mayank guides the ball to the leg side.

1.6Meriwala to Mayank, FOUR! Full delivery wide of off stump, Mayank has no problems in driving the ball through extra-cover for a boundary.

PBKS 5/0 after 1 over.

Chris Woakes to bowl the first over of the inning.

0.1Woakes to Rahul, dot, fuller delivery on off stump, Rahul plays a front foot defensive shot to block the ball.

0.2Woakes to Rahul, dot, slightly back of the length ball on middle and leg stump, Rahul goes on his toes and guides the ball to mid-on.

0.3Woakes to Rahul, dot, full and straight ball on off stump, Rahul plays a straight drive as Woakes bends and stops the ball.

0.4Woakes to Rahul, FOUR! Fuller delivery on middle and leg, Rahul whips the ball over short mid-wicket for a boundary.

0.5Woakes to Rahul, dot, seam up delivery on off stump, Rahul pushes the ball to the fielder at extra-cover.

0.6Woakes to Rahul, 1 run, good length ball on middle stump, Rahul closes the face of his bat early and the ball takes thick outside edge and runs down to third-man as Rahul completes a single.

Right then, birthday boy KL Rahul is set to open the inning with his friend Mayank Agarwal. DC are in a huddle. Steve Smith looks happy in the DC huddle. DC players make their way to the field and they are followed by Rahul and Mayank.

Teams

Delhi Capitals: Prithvi Shaw, Shikhar Dhawan, Steven Smith, Rishabh Pant(w/c), Marcus Stoinis, Lalit Yadav, Chris Woakes, Ravichandran Ashwin, Kagiso Rabada, Avesh Khan, Lukman Meriwala

Punjab Kings: KL Rahul(w/c), Mayank Agarwal, Chris Gayle, Deepak Hooda, Nicholas Pooran, Shahrukh Khan, Jhye Richardson, Jalaj Saxena, Mohammed Shami, Riley Meredith, Arshdeep Singh

KL Rahul, PBKS captain:Hopefully we can learn from the last game. The first six overs are key if we can bat normally. We need wickets in hand. You quickly reflect on those kinds of innings. It happens with every team, so you need to forget about it. Hopefully, we'll be able to make runs on this wicket. It's a good pitch to bat on.

Rishabh Pant, DC captain:We will like to bowl first. In the second innings there is dew, so we need to make use of the first 10 overs. I have been talking with the senior players and Ricky Ponting. Two changes. Steve Smith comes in for Curran. Meriwala also comes in. Smith can help us at the top.

Toss

DChave won the toss and opted to bowl first.

Just In!

Pitch Report

This pitch looks a bit drier, there's not as much moisture as the last game. There will be less seam movement as compared to the previous matches. 11 wickets have fallen in the four games of powerplay, so the teams need to get through the powerplay overs watchfully, says Simon Doull in his pitch report.

Deccan Herald's Dream XI

Prithvi Shaw, KL Rahul (c), Chris Gayle, Rishabh Pant (wk), Shahrukh Khan, Marcus Stoinis, R Ashwin, M Ashwin, Mohammed Shami, Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje

Impact Player for PBKS

Chris Gayle: Punjab Kings can once again bank on Chris Gayle to deliver goods for the team. Gayle is experienced and the not-so-big Wankhede ground would excite him to charge after DC bowlers and get big numbers.

Impact Player for DC

Kagiso Rabada: Kagiso Rabada picked two wickets on his return to the team. Moreover, Rabada picked four wickets against Punjab Kings last season and bowled the decisive Super Over of the tied game between these two teams. With Anrich Nortje back inin the side, Rabada could be expected to bowl with much more freedom.

Team News

DCs South African speedster Anrich Nortje has joined the bio-bubble after testing negative for the coronavirus. His previous Covid-19 report was a false-positive. DC has also announced the signing of Mumbai all-rounder Shams Mulani as a short-termreplacement for Axar Patel (out due to Covid). DC have also signed Karnataka's right-handed middle-order batsman, Aniruddha Joshi as a replacement for their original skipper, Shreyas Iyer. Punjab Kings have no fitness issues.

Form Guide (Last five matches)

Delhi Capitals: L-W-L-W-L

Punjab Kings: L-W-L-L-W

Head to Head record

Matches Played: 26

Delhi Capitals wins: 11

Punjab Kings wins: 15

Today is Punjab Kings' skipper KL Rahul's birthday. Will the team be able to gift its captain a win tonight?

PBKS Threats: The absence of a good all-rounder is affecting the team’s balance. Against CSK, when the top-order collapsed, they could’ve used an all-rounder to orchestrate a cameo but alas, there were none. Jhye Richardson batted at No. 7 against CSK, but it felt like he was batting one spot higher for the skills that he possesses with the bat. The team needs to rectify this shortcoming urgently.

PBKS Opportunities: With Mayank, Pooran and Meredith misfiring, PBKS management may give the players on the bench a few matches to play. And the squad does possess good backups. Chris Jordan could replace Meredith. Moises Henriques or Fabian Allen could replace Pooran and play as handy all-rounders. Dawid Malan can bat at the top of the order. One of these players is very likely to get a chance in playing XI soon.

PBKS Weaknesses: Many players seem out of form. Three players who have high stakes on them but have not proved themselves this season are Mayank Agarwal, Nicholas Pooran and Riley Meredith. Mayank’s last five IPL scores read: 0, 14, 26, 5 and 11. Pooran has got out on ducks in the two matches. Meredith has conceded 70 runs from 7.4 overs he bowled while picking just one wicket.

PBKS Strengths: Punjab Kings can still bank on the batting exploits of KL Rahul and Chris Gayle. Moreover, with Mayank Agarwal failing to click, Rahul should think and take the bet of opening with Gayle, which would result in a left-right opening combination. While Rahul can play the role of an anchor, Gayle can go after the bowlers. If it works, the Rahul-Gayle combo could be a mouth-watering prospect for the team.

SWOT ANALYSIS FOR PBKS

Ravichandran Ashwin's dominance over left-hand batsmen is well known, the spinner has dominated Chris Gayle over the years, will Ashwin be able to pick Gayle's wicket again or will the Universe Boss has the last laugh?

DC Threats: Inconsistency. DC are showing a unique trait of displaying a shoddy show after an electric performance. DC’s record in its last four games of the previous season read: Loss, Win, Loss, Win. The pattern is on course to repeat this season too, with a disappointing loss against RR after an impressive win over CSK. Such inconsistency doesn’t bode well for a side that is aiming for its first-ever IPL title.

DC Opportunities: For all the hype around star players in the team, Avesh Khan has quietly gone about doing his job as the team’s third fast bowler in the absence of veteran Ishant Sharma. He has picked five wickets. In this match, Avesh has room to share the stage with Rabada and Nortje. It could be a learning curve for him.

DCWeaknesses: Tom Curran, who started in the first two matches for DC, has not bowled as expected. Against CSK, Curran conceded 40 runs in his 4 overs and went home with just a wicket. Against RR, Curran was hammered for 35 runs in his 3.4 overs. He was picked to bowl the decisive last over against RR and Chris Morris hit the all-rounder for two sixes. Curran’s form would not have inspired much confidence in the team. But Curran is very likely to make way for Anrich Nortje for this game.

DC Strengths: The South African pace-bowling pair of Kagiso Rabada and Anrich Nortje can cause some serious damage to the opposition’s batting unit. Radaba fetched 30 wickets last season and bagged the coveted Purple Cap. Nortje, on the other hand, was fourth on the leading wicket-takers list with 22 wickets in his kitty. Nortje bowls a hard length at swift pace at the top of an innings. Rabada with his toe-crushing yorkers is preferred in the death overs. Wankhede’s deck could assist the two bowlers. It requires exceptional batting performance to take on the Rabada-Nortje challenge.

SWOT ANALYSIS FOR DELHI CAPITALS

Rabada revamps the Delhi Capitals's bowling side

Kagiso Rabada picked two wickets on his return to the team. Moreover, Rabada picked four wickets against Punjab Kings last season and bowled the decisive Super Over of the tied game between these two teams. With Anrich Nortje back in the side, Rabada could be expected to bowl with much more freedom.

Delhi Capitals hold edge over Punjab Kings as Nortje set to replace Tom Curran

Delhi Capitals skipper Rishabh Pant will aim to display better tactical acumen in Catch-22 situations against a 'blow-hot-blow-cold' Punjab Kings in what promises to be a battle of brittle middle-orders in an IPL match here on Sunday.

Both teams are coming into the 'Norther Derby' of IPL after enduring defeats in their previous games but Delhi Capitals are definitely a better side on paper.

DC seek to get back to winning ways in match against Punjab | IPL 2021 Delhi Capitals vs Punjab Kings: SWOT Analysis

Delhi Capitals and Punjab Kings will look to get back to winning ways as they lock horns in Match 11 of the IPL 2021 at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. Here is the analysis of the two teams.