PBKS vs CSK: Still A Bit Nerve-Wracking When You Are Bowling At MS Dhoni - Kagiso Rabada Lauds Rishi Dhawan

Punjab Kings (PBKS) bowling spearhead Kagiso Rabada lavished praise on fellow pace bowlers Rishi Dhawan and Arshdeep Singh after they edged out Chennai Super Kings by 11 runs on Monday at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.

PBKS opener Shikhar Dhawan’s splendorous unbeaten 59-ball 88, laced with nine fours and a couple of sixes, propelled the team to a respectable total of 187/4. Despite bringing CSK down to 40/3 in seven overs, PBKS had to face the vigour of Ambati Rayudu in the middle.

Kagiso Rabada, Rishi Dhawan & Arshdeep Singh stars in PBKS’ 11-run win over CSK

Rayudu’s splendid display of shot-making threatened Punjab bowlers with their third defeat in a row. The veteran batter hit seven boundaries and six sixes in his marvellous 39-ball 78, striking at 200. It was a toe-crushing yorker from Rabada that put a halt on Rayudu’s counterattack in the 18th over.

PBKS vs CSK: Rishi Dhawan held his nerve, credit to him: Kagiso Rabada

Left-arm pacer Arshdeep conceded five and eight runs in the 17th and 19th overs to put the pressure back on CSK. Rishi was left with 27 runs to defend in the last over, the Himachal Pradesh captain was welcomed with a pull by MS Dhoni, that was dispatched over deep square leg for a six on the first ball.

Rishi followed with a wide delivery before getting the wicket of MSD on the third delivery as PBKS completed a comprehensive win. Rabada credited Rishi for holding his nerves against the greatest finisher of the game. The South African speedster also called Arshdeep as the best death bowler in the team.

“Rishi put his hand up in the final over. I don’t think I have left out anyone (smiles). I think we bowled really well. Still a bit nerve-wracking when you are bowling at MS Dhoni and there is not one red shirt in the crowd, only yellow shirts chanting his name. He held his nerve, credit to him,” Rabada said in the post-match presentation.

 “Arsh (Arshdeep) has been the best death bowler in the comp, that’s what the stats say. He has got a lot of talent, drive and ambition. And he is just a good bloke. So nice to have him around. I know I am going to bowl at the death. Arsh has been magnificent. He has been leading the way in that discipline,” he added. 

Also Read: PBKS vs CSK: I Keep Working On My Fitness And Approach – Shikhar Dhawan After Winning MoTM vs CSK