END OF OVER:20 | 5 Runs | DC: 136/8 (32 runs required, RR: 6.80)
- Kuldeep Yadav10 (17b)
- Mukesh Kumar6 (7b)
- Nathan Ellis4-0-26-2
- Arshdeep Singh4-0-32-0
11:30pm Right. That will be that from us for tonight. Prabhsimran set up the game for PBKS with a sizzling hundred before their spinners finally came to the party, picking up six wickets between themselves. This 31-run win means that PBKS now have a better NRR than RCB, and that could still come into play this season. Speaking of RCB, do join us tomorrow as they clash with the Rajasthan Royals in the afternoon game. Until next time, this is me (Shashwat) signing off on behalf of Vairavan and everyone else at ESPNcricinfo. Goodbye, goodnight and take care!
Prabhsimran Singh, Player of the Match: I was not thinking a lot. Just when the wickets fell early, I wanted to bat deeper. (Confidence of domestic form) I have been with the team for a long time and I have learnt a lot from my seniors. I was just trying to grab my opportunity. The wicket was a little difficult because it was turning. I was thinking to build a partnership with Sam and then wanted to target the bowlers. Very important knock for me, I was waiting for this for a long time. Whenever I talk to the seniors, they tell me to make it big. (On his celebration) That is my celebration in domestic cricket also. You could say I was conversing with the almighty and probably also with the team management.
Shikhar Dhawan, Punjab Kings captain: I was thinking where the game was going (after the powerplay). The way we brought the game back was amazing. Credit goes to the spinners and then the fast bowlers for closing it out. It was an amazing knock (by Prabhsimran). I rate this knock quite high, playing that sort of a knock with that high strike-rate and the shots he has played against the turn as well - it was amazing. Because of that innings, we could reach that big total. (On Harpreet Brar) I have confidence in him and I asked him to bowl more at the stumps. The way he stood up and took those wickets, especially getting those left-handers out, it was very big. (On seeing the youngsters perform and if it reminds him of his younger days) I am still young (laughs). I don't feel that I am feeling old, when I am with them, I behave like them only. I like how the boys have taken responsibility. I am very happy with the way they are growing. (On what lies ahead in the IPL) This win gives us a lot of confidence. We know that we have to win both matches. We have to stay calm and focussed because staying calm and being focussed works for us.
David Warner, Delhi Capitals captain: (On how much it turned) It was about restricting them to a decent total. They got a little bit more than what I thought. Prabhsimran batted well. A few dropped chances cost us a few runs. After the way we started and then losing six for 30, you are not going to win many games. You have to play with pride, belief in yourself and play with freedom. Another disappointing effort with the bat after the start we had. (On the number of changes DC have had this season) I think we found the right combination but we keep losing 4-5 wickets in the middle and that is something you cannot do at this level.
Harpreet Brar: (On how he enjoyed the surface) Obviously I enjoyed it. In the first over, I conceded 13 runs and I was a little nervous. But watching the first innings, I knew I could make a comeback. I was thinking about bowling dot balls and putting the new batters under pressure. (On changes he made after the first over) In the first over, because the wicket was slow, it was easy for batters to go on the back foot. Later, I tried to change that and tried to bring them forward. Whenever you play on a slow wicket, the powerplay is very crucial. It went very well for them but we (me and Rahul Chahar) bowled well in a partnership. He kept applying the pressure, and I got wickets because of that.
11:06pm That second innings was very similar to the first, with one team dominating the powerplay, only to be pegged back in the middle overs. PBKS, though, had a much greater impact in that phase than DC did in the first innings. While Salt and Warner were at the crease, this looked a routine run-chase. But once that stand was broken, DC fell like a pack of cards.
Aman and Dubey tried stitching together a partnership but by then, the horse had probably bolted. In the end, it was a comfortable victory for PBKS, who now move to 12 points and are still well and truly alive in this playoff race. As for the Capitals, well, they are officially out of the reckoning now, and this game perhaps summed up their campaign, for they were good in patches but could not seize the moments that really mattered.
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DC need 37 off 6. Six sixes will take this game into a Super Over. Ellis to bowl the final over. Around the wicket to Kuldeep
END OF OVER:19 | 4 Runs | DC: 131/8 (37 runs required from 6 balls, RR: 6.89, RRR: 37.00)
- Kuldeep Yadav7 (13b)
- Mukesh Kumar4 (5b)
- Arshdeep Singh4-0-32-0
- Nathan Ellis3-0-21-2
Arshdeep to bowl the penultimate over. For what it is worth, DC need 41 off 12
END OF OVER:18 | 5 Runs 1 Wkt | DC: 127/8 (41 runs required from 12 balls, RR: 7.05, RRR: 20.50)
- Mukesh Kumar2 (3b)
- Kuldeep Yadav5 (9b)
- Nathan Ellis3-0-21-2
- Arshdeep Singh3-0-28-0
Mukesh, who bowled just one over, comes out to bat now
P Dubey b Ellis 16 (29m 20b 2x4 0x6) SR: 80.00
END OF OVER:17 | 3 Runs | DC: 122/7 (46 runs required from 18 balls, RR: 7.17, RRR: 15.33)
- Kuldeep Yadav3 (7b)
- Praveen Dubey16 (19b)
- Arshdeep Singh3-0-28-0
- Nathan Ellis2-0-16-1