Punjab Kings (PBKS) captain Shikhar Dhawan spoke about the victory his team registered over Delhi Capitals in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024. He admitted that they leaked some runs in the end, but is optimistic about his team learning as the season progresses.
Punjab Kings started IPL 2024 on a high note by defeating Delhi Capitals by 4 wickets. It was a collective effort from Shikhar Dhawan & Co. as they batted and bowled superbly well, making sure to give their crowd everything they needed to cheer.
By opting to bowl first, Punjab Kings kept contributing wickets at regular intervals and put Delhi Capitals under immense pressure. They had the opposition reduced to 128/6 and looked like they would restrict the opposition to less than 150 runs on the board.
But Punjab failed to finish on top. Harshal Patel was hit for 25 runs in the last over by youngster Abishek Porel. Delhi Capitals finished with a total of 174 runs on the board, which at one point did not seem possible, especially when they lost the first few wickets.
Shikhar Dhawan then started the chase quite well and amassed 22 quick runs. After his wicket, Prabhsimran Singh (26) played a vital hand. Punjab Kings lost wickets in quick succession and were under pressure as they reeled at 100/4.
Sam Curran (63) scored a brilliant half-century while Liam Livingstone (38*) supported him well and the duo added 67 runs. Thanks to his amazing effort with the bat, Punjab Kings won the game by four wickets to get two important points.
Shikhar Dhawan expressed his feelings about playing after a while, saying that he was nervous. He also revealed that he didn’t want to chat with his team because he wanted to give them time. The PBKS skipper also praised the efforts of Liam Livingstone and Sam Curran. In statements to the stations, he explained:
“It feels great, I was happy to be on the field. After the last IPL, he was playing such competitive cricket that he was a little nervous. [on the chat at the innings break] That time I didn’t chat with anyone because I was supposed to go to bat.
“The bowlers need their space, so tomorrow we will chat, learn and improve. We have leaked some extra runs, of course the first game of the season, and the nerves are there. I feel like under the lights the pitch got better and Sam played an incredible innings and Livi finished it off.”
Wanted the other team to use their brain on how to get here: Shikhar Dhawan on his decision to play first
The match between the two teams took place at the newly constructed Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur, Chandigarh. It was the first game played there and no one had any idea of the playing field.
Shikhar Dhawan admitted that he didn’t know much about the pitch and wanted the opposing team to use his brain to know how to get there. He added:
“I didn’t know many records here, it’s new territory. I didn’t concentrate much. We practiced during the day and also under lights. “I wanted the other team to use their brains to figure out how to get here.”
Shikhar Dhawan will next be seen in action when Punjab Kings take on Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium on Monday (March 25).