Despite David Warner’s impressive half-century, Delhi Capitals (DC) saw their hopes of making it to the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 playoffs come to an end after a defeat against Punjab Kings (PBKS) on Saturday.
Prabhsimran Singh, the opening batsman for the Kings, stole the show with a magnificent maiden IPL hundred, scoring 103 runs off just 65 balls, providing the anchor for Punjab’s total of 167 runs. Sam Curran contributed 20 runs, which was the next-highest score for the team.
However, Delhi struggled in their chase, managing only 136 runs and losing the match by 31 runs. The slow pitch at their home ground continued to trouble the Ricky Ponting-coached side, with left-arm spinner Harpreet Brar taking an impressive 4/30 and leg-spinner Rahul Chahar claiming 2/16 for Punjab.
Nathan Ellis, who replaced Prabhsimran as Punjab’s impact player, bounced back after a tough first over against Warner, conceding only 26 runs and taking two wickets in his four overs. Prabhsimran started slowly but soon adapted to the pitch’s slowness, unleashing an onslaught of boundaries, including 10 fours and six sixes.
Chasing 168 for victory, Delhi captain Warner gave his team a blazing start, scoring 54 runs off just 27 balls, marking his fifth half-century of the season. The opening partnership between Warner and Phil Salt propelled Delhi to 65 runs without loss in the batting powerplay. However, Punjab’s brilliant bowling, particularly by Brar and Chahar, led to a collapse in Delhi’s batting lineup, with the team slumping to 88-6.
Brar played a crucial role in Punjab’s victory, taking the catches for the dismissal of Rilee Rossouw in the deep and successfully using a video referral to secure an lbw verdict against Warner in the same over.
After the match, Warner rued his side’s poor batting approach as Delhi were knocked out of IPL playoffs contention before the finish of their league games.
“The way we started, and then losing six for 30, you are not going to win many games,” Warner said in the post-match presentation ceremony.
“Another disappointing effort with the bat after the start we had,” DC will play their two remaining matches for pride only.
“I think we found the right combination but we keep losing 4-5 wickets in the middle and that is something you cannot do at this level.”
The southpaw also opened up about the drop chance of Prabhsimran, who got a reprieve on 68 from Rossouw. “A few dropped chances cost us a few runs,” added Warner.
“You have to play with pride, belief in yourself and play with freedom,” the Aussie said about DC’s approach for the remaining two games.
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