Delhi Capitals beat Punjab Kings by six wickets
Delhi Capitals beat Punjab Kings by six wickets in the IPL here on Sunday.
Mayank Agarwal top-scored for Punjab with 69 off 36 balls while his opening partner and skipper K L Rahul made 61 off 51 balls, taking them to 195 for four.
In response, Delhi Capitals chased down the target rather comfortably in 18.2 overs with Shikhar Dhawan scoring 92 off 49 balls.
Earlier, Delhi Capitals skipper Rishabh Pant's decision to bowl after winning the toss backfired as the opening duo of Agarwal and Rahul took the attack to the opposition bowlers from the onset, hitting boundaries and sixes at will.
While Agarwal was the aggressor of both initially, Rahul upped the ante after a comparatively sedate start.
Agarwal and Rahul adopted an aggressive approach against debutant Lukeman Meriwala and Kagiso Rabada, taking their team to 94 for no loss in 10 overs.
Agarwal was looking dangerous during his 36-ball knock and finished up hitting seven boundaries and four hits over the fence.
But DC dismissed both batsmen in quick succession to produce a comeback in to the match.
While Agarwal was the first to depart, slicing a Meriwala delivery right to Shikhar Dhawan at sweeper cover in the 13th over, Rahul handed a simple catch to Marcus Stonis at midwicket off Rabada.
Rahul's knock was laced with seven boundaries and two sixes.
Big-hitting Chris Gayle (11) didn't make a mark, perishing soon searching for a maximum.
Nicholas Pooran (9) failed just as before but Deepak Hooda (22 not out off 13) and Shahrukh Khan (15 not out off five) provided the essential big hits towards the finish. For DC, Ravichandran Ashwin (0/28) was economical, while Avesh Khan (1/33), Meriwala (1/32), Chris Woakes (1/42) and Rabada (1/43) picked up a wicket each. PTI
Brief Scores:
Punjab Kings: 195/4 in 20 overs (Mayank Agarwal 69, K L Rahul 61).
