Picture : IPL / X
Punjab Kings began Tata IPL 2024 on a bright note as they beat Delhi Capitals by 4 wicket at the new venue , Mullanpur, Mohali. The Kings win spoiled the comeback of Delhi Capitals Rishabh Pant who made great comeback after a horrific car crash in December 2022.
Punjab Kings Skipper Shikhar Dhawan the toss and opted to bowl first . The Aussie opening pair of Delhi Capitals – Bi- hitting all- rounder Mitchell Marsh and David Warner threatened to take away the match when they started aggressively . But unfortunately they could not go on further. David Warner 29 ( 21 balls , 3 fours 2 sixes), Mitchell Marsh 20 ( 12 balls, 2 fours, 2 sixes) , Shai Hope 33 ( 25 balls 2 fours , 2 sixes). Delhi Capitals Skipper Rishabh Pant who got huge round of applause when he walked into the middle did not score much on his comeback out for just 18 . The late blitz by young Abishek Porel 32 ( 10 balls, 4 fours 2 sixes ) propelled Delhi Capitals to a fighting 174 / 9 in their 20 overs.
For Punjab Kings the bowling figures were : Arshdeep Singh 2/ 28 ( 4 overs), Sam Curran 0/ 10 ( 1 over), Kagiso Rabada 1/ 36 ( 4 overs), Harpreet Brar 1/ 14 ( 3 overs), Rahul Chahar 1/ 33 ( 4 overs), Harshal Patel 2/ 47 ( 4 overs) 25 runs came off his last over.
In reply the Punjab Kings were positive with Skipper Shikhar Dhawan leading from the front . Dhawan scored a quick 22 ( 16 balls, 4 fours), Jonny Bairstow was unfortunately run-out for ( 9). Prabhsimran Singh looked dangerous in his 26 off 17 balls with 5 fours . But the kings innings was lifted by a brilliant innings from English star all-rounder Sam Curran. Curran hit the ball all- round the wicket and scored an impressive 63 ( 47 balls , 6 fours, 1 six) . Jitesh Sharma ( 9) , Shashank Singh ( 0) fell quickly. But hard-hitting Liam Livingstone known for his power striking stayed till the end to finish the match .
Livingstone remained unbeaten on 21 ball 38 ( 2 fours, 3 sixes). Harpreet Brar was the other not out batsman for Punjab with 2 . Punjab Kings reaching 177/ 6 in 19. 2 overs). The win saw the team’s co-owner Preity Zinta break into a wide smile .
DC bowling figures were : Khaleel Ahmed 2/ 43 ( 4 overs), Ishant Sharma 1/ 16 ( 2 overs) he hopped off the ground with a leg sprain while fielding. Mitchell Marsh was expensive 0/ 52 ( 4 overs), Axar Patel 0/ 25 ( 4 overs), Kuldeep Yadav 2/ 20 ( 4 overs), Sumit Kumar 0/ 19 ( 1. 2 overs)
DC Impact Player: Abishek Porel replaces Ricky Bhui
PBKS Impact Player: Prabhsimran Singh replaces Arshdeep Singh
Match: IPL 2024, 2nd Match
Venue: Mohali | Date: March 23, 2024
