Delhi Capitals (DC) registered a nervy victory over Punjab Kings (PBKS) at the DY Patil Stadium on Monday to keep their playoff hopes alive in the ongoing IPL 2022 season.
Needing a win to stay ahead of the other teams fighting for the 4th spot, Delhi was off to a poor start as they lost David Warner on the first delivery. Sarfaraz Khan and the in-form Mitchell Marsh stitched a 52-run partnership to get them out of the rut.
The former’s wicket caused a bit of stutter with Lalit Yadav and Rishabh Pant not being able to capitalize on the platform. The pitch began to slow down and so did DC’s scoring rate.
They needed a strong finish but unfortunately were unable to find one. The last 8 overs saw only 52 runs being scored as Arshdeep Singh and Liam Livingstone ended up with three wickets each.
In response, Punjab raced away to 38 in the 4th over before Jonny Bairstow fell to Anrich Nortje. What followed ended PBKS’ hopes in the game. From 53/1, Punjab slipped to 67/6 with all their mainstream batters back in the hut.
Kuldeep Yadav did the damage as he got the dangerous Liam Livingstone stumped, virtually ending Punjab’s hopes before the halfway stage of the match. The rest was just a formality for Delhi but they made it tough for themselves. Eventually, they managed to scrape across the line courtesy of good death bowling.
They now move into the fourth spot and push RCB out of a playoff spot. Delhi will face off against Mumbai Indians in the final game where a win will secure them the chance to play in the knockout stages.
Here’s how Twitter reacted to PBKS vs DC:
Top bowling by @imShard, @imkuldeep18 and other @DelhiCapitals bowlers ?? Congrats on getting in the top 4! Great effort from @jiteshsharma_ ?? too but couldn't finish the game. #PBKSvDC #IPL2022
— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) May 16, 2022
Baapu atli kanjusi kem?? Top bowling @akshar2026
— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) May 16, 2022
Shardul Thakur the game changer! #PBKSvDC #IPL2022
— Vinay Kumar R (@Vinay_Kumar_R) May 16, 2022
You biscuit KD in a pressure game. Well done Captain for giving him the confidence. He's a treasure to be looked after @imkuldeep18 #DCvsPBKS @DelhiCapitals #IPL2022 pic.twitter.com/d1Cra7Tk6V
— Ravi Shastri (@RaviShastriOfc) May 16, 2022
Ohh @PunjabKingsIPL ! Every season you raise hope only to disappoint in the end. There is a pattern here when every year one thinks- bus thoda behtar Uss match main khel lete toh playoff pakka tha! #IPL2022 is same story #CricketTwitter #DCvsPBKS #RPSwing
— R P Singh रुद्र प्रताप सिंह (@rpsingh) May 16, 2022
You can't keep one mood with Shardul bowling for your team. #IPL
— Silly Point (@FarziCricketer) May 16, 2022
Punjab has once again done a Punjab today. On paper, Punjab Kings look a formidable team but season after season, it’s the same old story. Anil Kumble may have to answer a few tough questions from the owners. #PBKSvDC
— Rahul Rawat (@rawatrahul9) May 16, 2022
A pat on the back from Kuldeep Yadav to Jitesh Sharma who played an excellent knock at the toughest position. He kept Punjab in the game, superb stuff by Jitesh. pic.twitter.com/dQpKRTqCHI
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) May 16, 2022
Jitesh Sharma most sensible cricketer in kxip even if we don't include today's game. Always plays as per situation
— vru (@vruchelles) May 16, 2022
This @DelhiCapitals win means another setback in the playoff chances which already seemed so less for @KKRiders. Only one scenario left now, RCB,DD lose their remaining games and KKR win their last game by a descent margin. Seems impossible!
— S2 (@ShahaanSiddiqui) May 16, 2022
This was Punjab's game. At least if one genuine batsman stayed, the win was certain. Excellent from Kuldeep and Shardul. #IPL2022
— Nishant (@legbreakgooogly) May 16, 2022
Much needed win like oxygen for #DelhiCapitals. Moves us in top 4. Here’s hoping other results go our way and we stay there. #DCvsPBKS #IPL2022
— Vishal Mehra (@vishal1mehra) May 16, 2022
Million Dollar Question? Why was Kuldeep Yadav could not get his 4th Over!! Congratulations ? Though ? If Kuldeep bowled his 4th over Match would have ended 3 – 4 overs ago and the NRR advantage also would have been there for DC
— Just❤️? (@Just80332758) May 16, 2022
That's how you fight ?
We win by 1⃣7⃣ runs ?#PBKSvDC
— Delhi Capitals (@DelhiCapitals) May 16, 2022
Right, so Kuldeep Yadav bowled 3 overs again.
On this pitch.
— Gaurav Sethi (@BoredCricket) May 16, 2022