Shikhar Dhawan stream rolls Punjab Kings

It was a super Sunday yesterday with a doubleheader for all IPL fans. Punjab Kings last season was let down by their bowlers and it’s following a similar script this year too. In the first match, they scored 221 runs, only to win by 4 runs, and yesterday their score of 195 runs was chased down by Delhi Capitals quite comprehensively with 10 balls to spare. If a team can’t defend such high totals then it would be extremely difficult for them to reach the playoffs! So what were the hits and misses of yesterday’s match at the Wankhede stadium in Mumbai?

The Hits:

1. Shikhar Dhawan has changed his way of play in the T20s over the last year. Gone are the days when he used to start slow and picked up the pace later. Now he uses the power play overs very effectively and his pick-up shot over the leg slip is giving him rich dividends too. His foot movement is much better now and this is ensuring good offside and leg side play consistently! He is one player who is very consistent when in form and it’s a big advantage for Delhi Capitals this season.
2. Prithvi Shaw is the modern-day Virendra Sehwag. His hand-eye coordination is superb and till the time he is in the crease, batting looks very easy. His style of play also helps Dhawan because he is not pressurised to hit big shots from the word go. Prithvi Shaw has been in good form this season and it’s good to see that he is giving more value to his wicket. Scoring runs consistently is the only way he can get back to the Indian team and I am sure he has realised the importance of scoring big when in form.
3. Avesh Khan has been a surprise package for Delhi capitals. With the opposition team scoring at close to 10 runs per over, his economy rate of 8 runs per over stood out from his established colleagues in the team. 1/33 in 4 overs doesn’t look great but looking at what the opposition scored, it was a commendable effort.
4. Mayank Agarwal had a rough start to the tournament this season with two consecutive failures. Finally, he came to the party yesterday. Going at a strike rate of 200 he was the enforcer yesterday for Punjab kings. This allowed Rahul to dig in and play his normal game though it doesn’t suit Rahul that much. Rahul needs to play his natural game too because as it turned out yesterday, Rahul’s strike rate of 119 was the real difference between the two sides.
5. Deepak Hooda made a huge statement in the first match and yesterday it was his smart finish that helped Punjab Kings to reach a formidable score. He needs to bat at number 4 because that will allow him to get more balls. He is in good form and the team needs to acknowledge that and play him higher up the order. 

The Misses:

1. Nicholas Pooran is one of the most talented batsmen from the West Indies currently. He brings solidity to the Punjab Kings’ middle order but his form has been very disconcerting for the team this season. Three matches in a row he has failed and the team must be hoping that he turns the corner soon.
2. Md. Shami was the standout bowler in the last 2 outings for Punjab Kings but he was completely at sea yesterday. He missed the length consistently and looked out of sorts. He went for 53 runs yesterday and without him performing it was always going to be difficult for Punjab Kings to defend the score of 195 runs. Shami even in his worst days generally picks up wickets but yesterday was a completely off day for him and invariably the team struggled.
3. Kagiso Rabada took 30 wickets last season and was the stand-out performer for Delhi Capitals. This season has been completely opposite and he has been hit around the park with ease. With Chris Woakes bowling well and Nortje yet to get a look in, I foresee a change in their team with Nortje replacing Rabada. I was looking forward to Rabada, Nortje, and Woakes bowling together but I guess I will have to wait for that to happen anytime soon.

What to look forward to?

Punjab Kings need KL Rahul to play aggressively. he is playing too slow and is not able to up the ante. One of the reasons for the same has been because of the bad form of Pooran and I think they are losing out on 15-20 runs because of this safety-first approach of Rahul. One option could be to get Mandeep Singh into the playing XI replacing Pooran. Here is the suggested XI for Punjab Kings for the next match:

KL Rahul, Mayank Agarwal, Chris Gayle, Mandeep Singh, Deepak Hooda, Shahrukh Khan, Jalaj Saxena, Chris Jordan, Jhye Richardson, Md. Shami & Ravi Bishnoi.

Bishnoi not getting a place in the playing XI has been a big surprise for me. I hope he gets a game soon.

For Delhi Capitals, the batting form of Stoinis yesterday must be very encouraging for them. He is a very important player for them and he needs some good games under his belt. The only problem seems to be Rabada’s form and I guess he will be replaced by Anrich Nortje in the next match.

What are your views? Will Rabada get another game or will Nortje get a game replacing him? Should Ravi Bishnoi play? What about Chris Jordan?

Do write in as we move into the second week of IPL 2021.

PS. When life throws stones at you, pick them up and convert them into milestones. How we pick ourselves up when chips are down, differentiates the successful people from the average ones!

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