IPL 2022, DC vs PBKS, Top Performances: Axar's stifling act of 2-10, Khaleel's 2-21 blow away PBKS

IPL 2022, DC vs PBKS, Top Performances: Axar Patel's 2-10, Khaleel Ahmed's 2-21 and Warner-Shaw 83-run opening stand are top performances

Delhi Capitals beat Punjab Kings by 9 wickets, Delhi move to 6th place (Images ©BCCI/IPL)

Brief Scores: DC 119/1 (Warner 60*, Shaw 41, Chahar 1-21) beat PBKS 115 (Jitesh 32, Axar 2-10, Khaleel 2-21) by 9 wickets

Player of the Match: Kuldeep Yadav (2-24 in four overs)

Amidst the Covid scare hovering during the last few days, Delhi Capitals (DC), who were placed eighth in the points table, were up against Punjab Kings (PBKS), who were going through a roller coaster season, at the Brabourne Stadium in Mumbai on Wednesday evening.

Punjab have a lead of 15-13 in the head-to-head against Delhi; even though, since 2018 they are tied with each other with both teams registering four wins in eight encounters.

On winning the toss, Delhi Capitals captain Rishabh Pant opted to field first. While DC included Sarfaraz Khan replacing Covid infected Mitchell Marsh, Punjab found their captain Mayank Agarwal back in the XI besides adding Nathan Ellis.

Delhi Capitals boosted NRR with huge win over Punjab

Put into bat first, Punjab Kings displayed an abosulately dismal show with the bat. Their openers, Mayank Agarwal and Shikhar Dhawan kicked off well with 33 in the fourth over but since the opening burst, the wickets kept on crumbling in a cluster. Jitesh Sharma’s 32 was the only positive number as PBKS were bundled out for 115, the lowest score of IPL 2022.

Prithvi Shaw and David Warner’s explosive opening partnership of 81 run in the powerplay just blew away the Punjab Kings. Even though the former was dismissed a while later, DC shouldering on Warner’s 53rd IPL fifty chased down the score with 57 balls to spare which is the best margin in IPL for teams chasing 100+ scores.

Let’s take a look at the top three performances from the game between DC and PBKS.

Axar Patel takes 2-10 blow against Punjab, Delhi move to 6th place (Images ©BCCI/IPL)

Stingy Axar Patel tied up Punjab with figures of 2-10

On a ground where Kolkata Knight Riders put up 210 in the chase of 218 against Rajasthan Royals, Axar Patel finished with 2-10 in his four overs with 14 dot balls, which is staggering since he bowled in the tough phases of the match.

In the last five matches against Punjab, Axar Patel had seven wickets at an economy of 4.94 and average of 13.42.

Rishabh Pant took a bold decision to introduce the left-arm spinner against Liam Livingstone in the last over of the powerplay and Axar took just two balls to end the story of the England all-rounder. Just when he saw Livingstone was charging down the track, Patel just dragged his length as the spinning ball turned sharply to see the end of Livingstone on a personal score of just 2.

In the first ball of the 12th over, Axar sent back Jitesh Sharma, the only person who looked to score runs. The right-hand batter tried to sweep out Axar but the ball kept a bit low to hit him on the pads as Axar picked his second wicket of the evening.

Axar, who was retained by DC at INR 9 crores, after an average start in the tournament, with just a solitary wicket finished his spell at 2-10 from his four overs.

He was well supported by Lalit and Kuldeep Yadav who had combined figures of 4-35 in six overs bowling in the middle overs and the powerplay.

Read More: IPL 2022, Orange & Purple Cap Contenders: Buttler, Rahul top batters; ‘Kul-Cha’ back in business

Khaleel Ahmed's 2-21 helps Delhi beat Punjab, Delhi move to 6th place (Images ©BCCI/IPL)

Khaleel Ahmed hurts Punjab dismissing quality players

It was an evening of bowlers on a ground that was more suited to the batters. Khaleel Ahmed just like Patel had a fabulous day with the ball in hand. Against Punjab, the left-hander had six wickets in just six games while in the last three games, he had five wickets at an economy of under six.

Just after the powerplay where DC took three wickets, Khaleel kept the momentum flowing for his team, getting rid of his ex-teammate from SRH, the dangerous Jonny Bairstow. The England batter might feel a bit unlucky as he cracked the short ball straight into the hands of the fine leg fielder.

It was another example of how excellent was DC captain Pant, especially with the right bowling changes and field-setting besides his glove work.

Khaleel, who was bagged by Delhi Capitals for INR 5.25 crores, coming into his third over got the better of explosive Shahrukh Khan who after a disappointing innings of 12 from 20, edged the ball to the wicketkeeper in order to get out of jail. In the 19th over, Khaleel spent just two runs as he finished his spell at 2-21 from his four overs.

Read More: IPL 2022, SRH vs PBKS, Top Performances: Bhuvi (3-22), Umran (4-28) dismantle PBKS; SRH in top 4

Warner, Shaw added 83 runs for first wicket against Punjab (Images ©BCCI/IPL)

Warner-Shaw partnership got Delhi over the line rapidly

The only thing that Punjab required to do to be in the game was wickets but they were blown away thanks to the fiery opening partnership between David Warner and Prithvi Shaw.

From the very first over, where Shaw collected 14 runs, the onslaught went on as they registered their fourth half-century partnership in just 21 deliveries. No bowler got saved from the treatment of the stand as Delhi after the powerplay, raced up to 81/0. It was the highest powerplay total for Delhi in IPL history.

Even though Shaw was dismissed three balls post powerplay via an outstanding catch, the damage was already done. The DC opener went back to the hut for 41 off 20. But Warner ensured that there was no further damage as Delhi shouldering on his 53rd IPL fifty chased the score in just 10.3 overs. Warner also became the second player to have 1000 runs against a single team (PBKS).

IPL 2022 Points Table

IPL 2022 Points Table, Delhi Capitals move to 6th place

What’s to come

The thrilling Thursday will see the El Classico of IPL, as Mumbai Indians will lock horns with Chennai Super Kings at Dr DY Patil Sports Academy in Navi Mumbai.

El Classico does appear to be a bit dim this year due to the performance of these two top sides, but fans would certainly expect fireworks to fly as these old rivals come face to face for the first time this year.

Here are some of the Top Twitter reactions from Delhi Capitals vs Punjab Kings, IPL 2022:

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