The Delhi Capitals (DC) had a superb performance in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022 match against Punjab Kings (PBKS) at Brabourne Stadium on Wednesday. Even though a player tested positive for COVID-19 ahead of Wednesday's match, the Capitals proved capable of beating the Kings by nine wickets. Whereas on match day, the Capitals wicketkeeper, Tim Seifert tested positive for COVID-19.
The Capitals’ bowler had an important role in beating the Kings for 115 runs. The 115 recorded by the Kings is the lowest of any team in the ongoing IPL 2022. The Capitals managed to increase their NRR (Net Run Rate) and chase the score with 57 balls remaining. DC hitters are also chasing scores under 11 over.
Throughout the game, the Delhi-based franchise team never looked troubled. The Capitals eventually caught up with the Kings in 10.3 over to win by nine wickets. Kuldeep Yadav, Khaleel Ahmed, Axar Patel, and Lalit Yadav each scored two wickets for the Capitals. Meanwhile, Bangladeshi pacer Mustafizur Rahman managed to add to it by scoring one wicket.
There was no significant resistance in the Punjab team which was able to make a big impact during the match. However, wicket-keeper Jitesh Sharma and PBKS captain Mayank Agarwal scored 32 and 24 runs for the Kings, respectively.
PBKS vs DC
During the match, PBKS team captain Mayank Agarwal cut a long pass from Mustafizur Rahman after Shikhar Dhawan who was stuck behind failed to pull off Lalit Yadav's off-spin. Armed with a predetermined game plan, PBKS hitters did not change their tactics. However, the performance of DC spinners was too strong for the Kings. Then, PBKS all-rounder, Liam Livingstone, was eliminated.
The only way for the Kings to counter the Capitals' toughness in the game is to pick up some early wickets. But it turns out that their strategy did not work as they wanted. Instead, they got a massacre from DC's formidable opening duo, Prithvi Shaw and David Warner early in the game. The duo Shaw and Warner managed to record their fourth consecutive 50-plus opening. They hit the record in just 3.3 over.
The Capitals show doesn't stop there. As they run to 81 in the powerplay, it is their highest for the season. After that, the Capitals' next attempt was only a formality because they were chasing a total of 10.3 overs and increasing the team's NRR. On the other hand, in the seventh over, PBKS decreased by 54/4 and it was difficult for them to catch up.
Jitesh Sharma was out at 32, but his partner Shahrukh Khan could put up a bit of a fight. There was no Odean Smith on the Punjab team and his role was replaced by bowler duo Nathan Ellis and Kagiso Rabada. But sadly, they were both defeated by DC Bowler, Kuldeep Yadav. Meanwhile, Vaibhav Arora wasn't fast enough and Rabada couldn't get a wicket.
The resistance provided by the formidable Capitals players continued to make it difficult for the Kings players on the field. Yadav took 2/24 and Patel managed to record 4-0-10-2. “I am Gujarati, no? That's why I didn't give away runs. When we got to the ground, Ricky (Ponting, chief coach) just said "let's focus on what's happening on the ground," said Patel.
