PBKS vs DC: “Decision to Bowl Spin off the Last Over Backfired”- Shikhar Dhawan Highlights Tactical Error Made After Loss vs DC

PBKS vs DC: Shikhar Dhawan and his men took on the Delhi Capitals at the HPCA Stadium in Dharamsala in the 64th game of the tournament last night. It was a must-win contest for the Punjab Kings, but they ended up on the other side of the result. PBKS lost the game by 15 runs, and with this, their hope of qualifying for the playoffs has almost ended from here on. It was a high-scoring clash.

PBKS won the toss and decided to bowl first. Delhi had a brilliant start with an opening partnership of 94 runs in just 10.2 overs. David Warner was the first wicket to fall. He made 46 off 31. On the other hand, Prithavi Shaw scored his first half-century of the IPL 2023 on his return to the playing XI. He made a 38-ball 54 with one six and seven fours. But after that, it was complete carnage from Rilee Rossouw, who scored his maiden IPL half-century.

PBKS vs DC: “Our bowlers didn’t pitch the ball up in the powerplay”- Shikhar Dhawan

Rossouw hit all PBKS bowlers to all parts of the ground and made an unbeaten 82 off 37 balls, with six fours and six sixes. Phil Salt also supported him well with his unbeaten 26 off 14. DC added 41 off the last two and finished with a massive score of 213/2. However, Dhawan made the bold move of giving his spinner Harpreet Brar the last over, despite Arshdeep Singh and Kagiso Rabada having overs to spare.

That move cost him 23 runs in the 20th over. Dhawan also admitted that it was a wrong call that somehow cost the game. In the post-match presentation, the PBKS skipper said,

He also said the bowlers couldn’t take wickets up front in the powerplay, but it didn’t happen. Chasing the target, PBKS ended up at 198/8. Liam Livingstone tried hard with his 94 off 48, including five fours and nine sixes. But he couldn’t take his team over the line.