IPL 2021: Dhawan's impressive 92 plays pivotal role as DC edges past PBKS in high-scoring thriller

Delhi Capitals presented a fine display of composed and intelligent batting to edge Punjab Kings by seven wickets in Match 11 of the 2021 Indian Premier League at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Sunday. It was Shikhar Dhawan's impressive 92 that overpowered the PBKS's batting prowess and bowling attack.

DC skipper Rishabh Pant won the toss and elected to bowl, as he made a change, with Steve Smith coming in for pacer Tom Curran. Meanwhile, PBKS skipper Rahul brought in all-rounder Jalaj Saxena for fellow all-rounder Murugan Ashwin.

The openers were off to an atomic start, contributing to a 122-run opening stand, as Mayank scored his eighth IPL half-century during this phase. Meanwhile, he was also the first to depart, falling for 69 to pacer Lukman Meriwala in the 13th over.

Following Mayank's dismissal, Rahul continued his onslaught and brought up his 23rd IPL half-century. In the 16th over, at 141, he departed for 61 off pacer Kagiso Rabada after Marcus Stoinis caught him.

It was then 17 runs later when Chris Gayle fell for 11 to pacer Chris Woakes in the 17th over, while at 179, Nicholas Pooran departed for a mere nine in the 19th over after Rabada caught him off speedster Avesh Khan. Nonetheless, Deepak Hooda and Shahrukh Khan's pair batted for the rest of the innings and helped PBKS finish on 195/4.

Meanwhile, for DC, six bowlers were utilised, with a consolidated bowling effort. Spinner Ravichandran Ashwin was the most economical of the lot.

FULL SCORECARD: IPL 2021, Match 11- Delhi Capitals vs Punjab Kings (DC vs PBKS)

As DC came out for the chase, the openers Prithvi Shaw and Dhawan were off to a decent start, putting up a 59-run opening stand. In the final over of the powerplay, Shaw departed for 32 to pacer Arshdeep Singh after being caught by Gayle.

Nonetheless, Dhawan decided to anchor the innings thereon, with Steve Smith just supporting him from the other end. The duo contributed to a 48-run stand for the second wicket before Smith was dismissed for a mere nine to pacer Riley Meredith in the 11th over, caught by Jhye Richardson.

It was during this phase when Dhawan brought up his 43rd IPL half-century. As Pant joined him at the other end, Dhawan continued his barrage before pacer Richardson knocked him over in the 15th over for 92, with the score reading 152/3, while 28 runs later, Pant followed him back for 15 in the 18th over, off the same man, after being caught by Hooda.

It was then all-rounder Stoinis who decided to finish off the chase and rightfully so. While he stayed unbeaten on 27, DC sealed the deal by six wickets.

As for PBKS, six bowlers were put into effect. While Richardson got the most success, Arshdeep was economical of all.
Brief scores: PBKS 195/4 (Rahul- 61, Agarwal- 69; Avesh- 1/33) lost to DC 198/4 in 18.2 overs (Shaw- 32, Dhawan- 92; Richardson- 2/41) by six wickets.

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