Delhi were going fine though, at 106/3 towards the end of the 14th over. Shikhar Dhawan being a constant at one end. He got to his 50 and continued marching strongly. Stoinis was pretty much in and back in the hut in no time, with very minimal impact. But it was to be one man's day with the bat for Delhi, that of Shikhar Dhawan. No matter who came and went, Dhawan continued strongly, undeterred by the fall of wickets from the other end. He got to his second league ton, the first player to get ba
For the batting firepower they have, Punjab will back themselves to clinch this. But Delhi have been outstanding with the ball throughout the tournament. It will be interesting to see how Daniel Sams would go about. He is very good with his variations and given that this is his first League game, can he be the dark horse that Delhi would be hoping him to be? Questions which will be answered as the chase gets underway shortly...
Punjab would be pleased with the way they bowled overall. They did the containining job towards the end well and would overall be happy with their efforts, although they would have fancied themselves to see the back of Dhawan. Still, it is a very good effort from Rahul's men. Shami was exceptional in his 4 overs, getting 2 wickets as well. Murugan Ashwin, Maxwell and Neesham got a wicket each as well. Arshdeep Singh ended up being on the expensive side though. But overall, Rahul would be very pl
Delhi got off to a good start but again, Shaw's poor run-of-form continued. He got out for just 7 in the 4th over. Iyer came in next, he played watchfully but did not make much of an impact, falling for 14. Rishabh Pant came in next, making a comeback after injury forced him out in one of the earlier games. He was looking good but just like his skipper fell for 14.
Punjab have done well to fight themselves back in the end very brilliantly. Excellent death bowling and they have contained Delhi to under 170, especially with Dhawan there till the end. But what a knock it has been from Gabbar. Fantastic, take a bow, Shikhar Dhawan.ÂÂ
Mohammed Shami to Shimron Hetmyer, ! TIMBER! What a way to end the innings from Shami. Full, fast and straight, Hetmyer swings hard but fails to connect. The ball shatters the stumps behind. Top last over from Shami. Delhi end with 164/5.
Mohammed Shami to Shimron Hetmyer, Overthrow! Full and around off, Hetmyer can only dig it out towards mid off. They go for the run. The fielder fires the throw at the non-striker's end but misses. There is no one backing up and they get one more run.
Mohammed Shami to Shikhar Dhawan, Dhawan looks to reverse sweep but doesn't time it well. The ball goes towards point for a run.
Mohammed Shami to Shimron Hetmyer, Only a run. Very full ball around off, Hetmyer can only push it down to long off for a single.
Mohammed Shami to Shikhar Dhawan, Good yorker! It is very straight. Dhawan makes room and digs it towards cover for a single.
Mohammed Shami to Shikhar Dhawan, A couple to begin the final over. Full and wide outside off, Dhawan moves towards the off side and paddles it wide of the deep square leg fielder for a couple.
Arshdeep Singh to Shimron Hetmyer, ! BOOM! Full ball around off and middle, Hetmyer powers it over long on for a maximum. 12 runs off the penultimate over. How much can Delhi get on the last over? Can they go over 175?
Arshdeep Singh to Shikhar Dhawan, Full and on middle, flicked to long on for a single.
Arshdeep Singh to Shikhar Dhawan, CENTURY FOR DHAWAN! Back-to-back hundreds for him in the Indian T20 League. Only player to do so as well. Short and wide outside off, Dhawan reaches out and forces it wide of the deep point fielder. Before the fielder can get to the ball, two taken. The helmet has been removed, the arms go up in celebration. What a knock! First batsman in the history of the tournament to score back-to-back hundreds. Take a bow!
Arshdeep Singh to Shikhar Dhawan, A couple now and Dhawan moves to 99. Could've been only a single but Hetmyer read it well and forced Dhawan to go for the second. A full ball around middle, Dhawan pushes it through mid on. He takes the first run. Hetmyer wants the second, Dhawan says no but Hetmyer keeps running. Dhawan eventually gives up and goes for the second and completes it easily.
Arshdeep Singh to Shimron Hetmyer, Very full and outside off, pushed to long off for a single.
Murugan Ashwin has completed his quota. Arshdeep Singh is back in, to bowl the penultimate over. 2-0-18-0 for him.
Arshdeep Singh to Shimron Hetmyer, Good yorker! It is around off, Hetmyer can only push it back to the bowler.
Mohammed Shami to Shikhar Dhawan, Full and outside off, driven towards the cover fielder. A fine over from Shami.
Mohammed Shami to Shikhar Dhawan, ! Cut away! Short and wide outside off, Dhawan flays it through point and finds the fence. There was a fielder in the deep but he hardly got time to move to his left.
Mohammed Shami to Shikhar Dhawan, Aggression from Shami! Dhawan jumps out of the crease, Shami bowls a length ball around off, Dhawan pushes it back to the bowler. Shami quickly picks the ball and fires the throw at the striker's end, making Dhawan to rush back. It would've been interesting had he hit.
Will we see Hetmyer now? Yes, Shimron Hetmyer it is.
Mohammed Shami to Marcus Stoinis, ! TAKEN! Big wicket! Not a wicket-taking ball though but Shami and Punjab won't mind. Shami runs in and ends up dishing a full toss on middle, Stoinis looks to flick but the bat turns in his hand and he ends up hitting it high in the air towards the off side. Agarwal settles under the ball and takes it easily.
Mohammed Shami to Shikhar Dhawan, Very full and outside off, pushed towards point for a single.
Mohammed Shami to Marcus Stoinis, Very full and around off, pushed down to long on for a single.
Mohammed Shami is back. 2-0-15-0 for him so far.
Murugan Ashwin to Marcus Stoinis, Single to end the over. Floated on middle, Stoinis looks to flick but gets a leading edge towards covers. A single taken. A good over for Delhi. 13 off it.
Murugan Ashwin to Shikhar Dhawan, Short and just outside off, pushed down to long off for a run.
Murugan Ashwin to Shikhar Dhawan, Two now and Dhawan enters into the 90s. Short and on middle, pulled towards fine leg for easy two.
Murugan Ashwin to Marcus Stoinis, Full and outside off, driven to long off for a single.
Murugan Ashwin to Marcus Stoinis, WIDE! Down the leg side, Stoinis looks to pull but misses. Wided.
Murugan Ashwin to Shikhar Dhawan, Shortish and around middle, pushed through mid on for a single.
Murugan Ashwin to Shikhar Dhawan, ! BOOM! Floated on middle, Dhawan sits down and pumps it over deep square leg for half a dozen. The fielder there for a moment must have thought that he was in with a chance but it went well over him.
Ravi Bishnoi to Shikhar Dhawan, Quicker and shorter on middle, punched down to long on for a single.
Ravi Bishnoi to Marcus Stoinis, Flatter and around off, Marcus looks to drill it on the off side but gets an inside edge. The ball hits Rahul on the pad and goes towards covers. A single taken.
Ravi Bishnoi to Shikhar Dhawan, In the air but lands safely! Tossed up wide outside off, Dhawan looks to launch it over long off but ends up slicing it towards mid off. Two fielders try to get under the ball but fail to do so. A single.
Ravi Bishnoi to Marcus Stoinis, Flatter and around off, pushed to long off for a single.
Ravi Bishnoi to Shikhar Dhawan, On middle, this is worked to deep square leg for one.
Ravi Bishnoi to Shikhar Dhawan, ! Don't bowl there to Dhawan. Fullish ball on leg, Dhawan moves a touch to the leg side and lofts it over mid-wicket, well to the left of wide long on.
Murugan Ashwin to Marcus Stoinis, A couple to finish. On off, fullish, Stoinis dabs this towards wide long on and comes back for the second.
Murugan Ashwin to Marcus Stoinis, BEATEN! Flatter ball outside off, keeping low, Stoinis gives room and looks to cut but misses.
Murugan Ashwin to Shikhar Dhawan, Fullish and outside off, Dhawan looked to loft that over covers but gets a thick uppish outside edge towards deep backward point. Just the one.
Murugan Ashwin to Shikhar Dhawan, ! Just the wrong length to a man in very good form. Short ball on off, Dhawan pulls it firmly over mid-wicket and gets a boundary.
Murugan Ashwin to Marcus Stoinis, Googly, flat and quick and spinning into middle and leg, Stoinis rocks back and taps this through mid on for one.
Murugan Ashwin is back on. 2-0-11-1 are his numbers so far.
Murugan Ashwin to Shikhar Dhawan, Flatter ball on middle and leg, stabbed towards backward square leg for a single.
Glenn Maxwell to Shikhar Dhawan, Flat and outside off, Dhawan pushes it towards long off for a single. End of a successful over from Maxwell. A fine spell from Maxwell comes to an end. 1/31 in his 4. Don't forget that he went for 13 in the opening over of the game.
Glenn Maxwell to Marcus Stoinis, Stoinis is up and running! Flatter and outside off, he drives it towards long off and gets to the other end.
Who's next? Stoinis or Hetmyer or will we see Sams for the first time in the League, with the bat? The Hulk, Marcus Stoinis, it is.
Glenn Maxwell to Rishabh Pant, ! CAUGHT! Pant holes out! Maxwell gets the big fish. Maxwell fires a fuller ball on middle, Pant jumps out of his crease and looks to launch it over long on but fails to time it. He does well to get under the delivery but ends up hitting it straight to Agarwal at long on. Pant didn't really get going and he wanted to take on the spinner in his last over. You got to credit the captain too, for the fact that he persisted with Maxwell.
Glenn Maxwell to Shikhar Dhawan, Short and around off, pulled down to deep mid-wicket for one.
Glenn Maxwell to Rishabh Pant, Flatter and on middle, Pant tucks it towards mid-wicket and gets to the other end.
Glenn Maxwell to Shikhar Dhawan, Full and on middle, Dhawan works it towards deep mid-wicket. He takes the first one quickly but has to settle with that only as the fielder from deep is quick to get to the ball.
DRINKS! Right, 7 overs to go, Pant and Dhawan in the middle. The latter is well set, 66 off 37 balls and we all know the destructive capability of Pant as well, especially after he had missed out on a few games due to injury. Needless to add that Stoinis, Hetmyer and Sams follow. Time for Delhi to now rocket big time without much worries. Will Dhawan get a second consecutive ton in the League though? Let's see.
Ravi Bishnoi to Rishabh Pant, Looks to slog it on the leg side this time but ends up getting an inside edge onto the pads. Two dots to end the over. 9 off it.
Ravi Bishnoi to Rishabh Pant, Pant gives the charge, Bishnoi shortens the length, Pant blocks it towards the cover fielder.
Ravi Bishnoi to Shikhar Dhawan, Short and outside off, pushed to sweeper cover for a single.
Ravi Bishnoi to Shikhar Dhawan, ! 100 up in style! Tossed up ball on middle, Dhawan sits down and nails the slog sweep over square leg for a biggie. Fine shot. 5,000 runs for Dhawan in the Indian T20 League.
Ravi Bishnoi to Rishabh Pant, Flatter and around middle, flicked down to long on for one.
Ravi Bishnoi to Shikhar Dhawan, An appeal for LBW but not entertained. Flatter ball on leg, Dhawan rocks back and looks to pull but misses. Gets hit on the thigh pad. It goes to the off side and they take a leg bye as Bishnoi appeals to no avail.
Glenn Maxwell to Rishabh Pant, Dot to end the over. After the dot on the last ball, Pant wants to take Maxwell on. He dances down and looks to launch it over long on but gets an inside edge on the pad. The ball lobs off his pads but lands short of the bowler.
Glenn Maxwell to Rishabh Pant, Flatter and around middle, Pant pushes it towards the left of the bowler. Maxwell quickly gets to the ball and keeps Pant on strike.
Glenn Maxwell to Shikhar Dhawan, Flatter and outside off, Dhawan turns it towards mid-wicket and gets to the other end.
Glenn Maxwell to Rishabh Pant, Very full and on middle, Pant digs it out towards mid-wicket for a run.
Glenn Maxwell to Shikhar Dhawan, Another single. These two are not showing any signs of urgency at the moment. Flatter and on middle, Dhawan flicks it through mid-wicket and gets to the other end.
Glenn Maxwell to Rishabh Pant, Short and on middle, Pant tucks it through square leg for a single.
Ravi Bishnoi to Rishabh Pant, Single to end the over. On the last ball, Pant advances, Bishnoi shortens the length. Pant pushes it down to long on for a single. 7 off Bishnoi's first.
Ravi Bishnoi to Shikhar Dhawan, Shortish and on middle, Dhawan flicks it towards deep mid-wicket for an easy run.
Ravi Bishnoi to Rishabh Pant, Short and just outside off, cut to deep point for a single.
Ravi Bishnoi to Rishabh Pant, Flatter and around off, Pant first wanted to work it on the leg side but it keeps a touch low so he manges to block.
Ravi Bishnoi to Rishabh Pant, On middle, pushed back to the bowler.
Ravi Bishnoi is into the attack for the first time.
Ravi Bishnoi to Rishabh Pant, ! Slammed! Poor start from Bishnoi. Short and wide outside off, Pant slams it to the left of the cover fielder. He is late in moving to that side and the ball races away to the fence in the deep.
Glenn Maxwell to Rishabh Pant, A single to end. Flatter ball on middle and off, clipped to short mid-wicket for a run.
Glenn Maxwell to Shikhar Dhawan, On middle and leg, tapped to the leg side for one.
Glenn Maxwell to Shikhar Dhawan, ! Beautifully played. Flatter ball down the leg side, Dhawan helps it on its way by tapping it gently to the right of Rahul to the fine leg fence.
Glenn Maxwell to Rishabh Pant, Full, around middle and leg, tucked towards long on for a run.
Glenn Maxwell to Shikhar Dhawan, Around off, Dhawan smashes it back hard, past the bowler, towards long off. A single.
Glenn Maxwell to Rishabh Pant, On middle, clipped on the leg side for a single.
Murugan Ashwin to Rishabh Pant, Pant is off the mark. Taps this towards long on and takes a single. End of successful over from Murgan.
Murugan Ashwin to Rishabh Pant, Floated on the stumps, driven to the right of the bowler. Ashwin runs in and cuts it off.
Murugan Ashwin to Rishabh Pant, Full on middle, tucked to the leg side.
Rishabh Pant is the new man in.
Murugan Ashwin to Shreyas Iyer, ! CAUGHT! Shreyas Iyer, dangerous Iyer, goes for 14. The plot has worked for Punjab. Flatter ball down the leg side, Iyer looks to help it down to fine leg but gets a fine edge. Rahul, the keeper, anticipates well and moves to his left well ahead and takes the catch. Punjab appeal for a caught behind and the umpire concurs. Would have been a wide had Iyer decided not to flirt with that.
Murugan Ashwin to Shikhar Dhawan, This is driven towards long off for a run. 50 comes up for Dhawan. Continuing the fine touch.
Murugan Ashwin to Shikhar Dhawan, ! Taken on the full and into the gap. Full toss on off, Dhawan gets down and sweeps it forcefully in front of square leg for a boundary.
James Neesham to Shikhar Dhawan, A single to finish. Full, around off, driven to long off for one.
James Neesham to Shikhar Dhawan, ! Call was for two but they get more than that. On the pads, Dhawan tickles it towards the fine leg boundary. The man at fine leg cannot cut it away. A boundary results.
James Neesham to Shikhar Dhawan, On the pads, flicked to deep square leg for a couple.
James Neesham to Shreyas Iyer, Full ball around off, Iyer looks to defend but it comes off the outside edge. Keeps low, goes on a bounce to the right of Rahul. Rahul dives but cannot stop that. It goes off his mitts towards third man for a single.
James Neesham to Shikhar Dhawan, Dhawan makes room, Neesham follows him. Dhawan manages to force it through cover for one.
James Neesham is back in. 1-0-7-1 for him, got the wicket of Prithvi Shaw in his first.ÂÂ
James Neesham to Shreyas Iyer, Fuller and on middle, flicked to deep square leg for a single.
DRINKS! A good start for Delhi here, they lost Shaw cheaply but he has been in a poor run of form off late. But that has not hampered the shot playing ability of Dhawan and Iyer. Both are taking the singles and stroking at calculated free will as well. They have a good batting depth with Pant, Stoinis, Hetmyer and even Sams to follow. Would want to continue the same momentum for a while before going big real time.
Murugan Ashwin to Shreyas Iyer, One more run! 5 singles, a tidy over from Murugan. Flatter and on middle, keeps a touch low. Iyer flicks it towards mid-wicket and keeps the strike for the next over.
Murugan Ashwin to Shikhar Dhawan, Tossed up and outside off, Dhawan jumps out of his crease and lifts it over extra cover for a run.
Murugan Ashwin to Shreyas Iyer, Short and wide outside off, cut towards deep point for a single.
Murugan Ashwin to Shreyas Iyer, Flatter and around off, quicker too. Iyer pushes it towards the cover fielder.
Murugan Ashwin to Shikhar Dhawan, Shortish and just outside off, forced to sweeper cover for a run.
Murugan Ashwin to Shreyas Iyer, Flatter and around middle, Iyer flicks it trough mid-wicket for a single.
Murugan Ashwin, the leggie, into the attack now.
Arshdeep Singh to Shreyas Iyer, Single to end the over. 9 off it. Good length ball around off, Iyer pushes it towards point and goes for a run. Top Powerplay for Delhi.
Arshdeep Singh to Shikhar Dhawan, One more single! Low full toss on middle, Dhawan strokes it towards long on and gets to the other end.
Arshdeep Singh to Shreyas Iyer, Length ball on middle, Iyer flicks it towards square leg and gets to the other end.
Arshdeep Singh to Shikhar Dhawan, Short and wide outside off, cut through cover-point for one. 50 up for Delhi.
Arshdeep Singh to Shikhar Dhawan, ! Nicely done! Didn't go for the power but timing and placement. Short ball on middle, Dhawan swivels and help pulls it over square leg and once again the ball races away to the boundary. Runs coming thick and fast for Dhawan. He moves to 33 off 18 balls.
Arshdeep Singh is back in the attack.
Arshdeep Singh to Shreyas Iyer, Quick single this time. Length ball around off, Iyer taps it towards the off side onto the pitch and calls for a run. Dhawan responds and they complete the single easily.
Mohammed Shami to Shikhar Dhawan, Dot to end the over, another good one for Delhi. Good length and around off, Dhawan dabs it onto the pitch on the off side and thinks for the run. Shami is quick to the ball so they decide against it.
Mohammed Shami to Shikhar Dhawan, ! Third boundary in the over! Yes, Dhawan is certainly in mood. A length ball down the leg side. Dhawan walks across the off pole a touch and then pulls it over short fine leg and the ball races away to the fence. Dhawan's 5th boundary already.
Mohammed Shami to Shikhar Dhawan, ! SHOT! Full and outside off, in the slot for the southpaw. He lifts it over mid off and finds the fence.
Mohammed Shami to Shikhar Dhawan, Inside edge this time and it wasn't far from the stumps. Shortish and outside off, Dhawan looks to punch but gets an inside edge that goes past his sticks towards short fine leg.
Mohammed Shami to Shikhar Dhawan, EDGY ! Luck going with Dhawan. A length ball outside off, Dhawan looks to cut but gets a thick outside edge. It flies over the empty slip cordon and goes to the third man fence.
James Neesham to Shreyas Iyer, ! The skipper is off the mark in style! Shortish and wide outside off, pretty similar to the ball that helped Neesham get Shaw's wicket. However, this time it is skipper Iyer on strike. He smokes it over extra cover and clears the fence easily. Still a very good over from Neesham.
Mohammed Shami to Shikhar Dhawan, Shortish ball around off, punched towards cover-point for nothing.
Mohammed Shami is back in the attack. Just the 3 runs from his first over.
James Neesham to Shreyas Iyer, Another length delivery around middle, it is pushed back to the bowler.
James Neesham to Shikhar Dhawan, Good length ball around off, pushed towards point for a quick run.
James Neesham to Shikhar Dhawan, Full and wide outside off, Dhawan finds the cover fielder to his drive.
Shreyas Iyer, Delhi's skipper, walks out to bat at No. 3.
James Neesham to Prithvi Shaw, ! CAUGHT! Shaw's poor run continues. Number of his shots went in the air but dropped short but this one went little too high and Maxwell had enough time to settle under it and pouch it. Short and wide outside off, Shaw looks to launch it over extra cover but gets it off the toe end. It goes high in the air towards extra cover. Maxwell settles under it and takes the skier easily.
James Neesham, who is in for Chris Jordan today, to bowl now.
James Neesham to Prithvi Shaw, Full toss but Shaw finds the fielder again. He hasn't looked at his best so far. A full toss on middle, we normally term it as a gift from the bowler. Shaw though doesn't want it as he flicks it towards the mid-wicket fielder.
Arshdeep Singh to Shikhar Dhawan, Good length ball around off, pushed back to the bowler.
Arshdeep Singh to Shikhar Dhawan, ! Dhawan is in mood, again! He is continuing from where he had left last time. A length ball outside off, Dhawan comes down the track and lifts it over extra cover for a boundary. 2nd boundary in the over.
Arshdeep Singh to Prithvi Shaw, Another short one, this time Shaw pulls it but doesn't time it as well as he would've liked. That helps though as a bit of better timing and he would've found the fielder at deep square leg. Just the single.
Arshdeep Singh to Prithvi Shaw, ! First boundary for Shaw. Not from the middle of the bat but he will take it. Arshdeep bangs it short and bowls it on middle, Shaw goes for the pull but gets it off the gloves. It flies over the keeper and into the fine leg fence.
Arshdeep Singh to Prithvi Shaw, Just outside off on a good length, Shaw pushes it towards the cover fielder.
Here is Arshdeep Singh now, to bowl the third over.
Arshdeep Singh to Prithvi Shaw, That is a solid stroke but Shaw will get nothing. A length ball around middle, Shaw punches it nicely but finds mid on.
Mohammed Shami to Shikhar Dhawan, Yes! Top over from Shami. Just 3 off the over. The last ball is full and on middle, Dhawan flicks it nicely but straight to the mid on fielder.
Mohammed Shami to Shikhar Dhawan, Short and outside off, Dhawan finds the cover-point fielder. Good first over from Shami so far. Can he finish it well?
Mohammed Shami to Prithvi Shaw, EDGY! Good length ball on middle, Shaw looks to flick but the ball takes a thick outside edge and goes uppishly towards third man. It goes to the fielder on one bounce. A single.
Mohammed Shami to Prithvi Shaw, WIDE! Second extra of the over. A length ball down the leg side. Shaw lets it be. Wided by the umpire.
Mohammed Shami to Prithvi Shaw, Three dots! Short and outside off, Shaw forces it straight to the point fielder. It was a bit uppish but went on the bounce to Pooran there.
Mohammed Shami to Prithvi Shaw, Play and a miss! That's the way Shaw plays though. Shortish and outside off, Shaw looks to punch it on the up but the ball comes back in and goes below his bat to the keeper.
Mohammed Shami to Prithvi Shaw, Gets it correct this time and bowls it around off, Shaw blocks it towards point.
Who is it from the other end for Punjab then? It is Mohammed Shami.
Mohammed Shami to Prithvi Shaw, WIDE! Shami misses the line on the first ball. It is down the leg side. Shaw looks to flick but misses. Wided.
Glenn Maxwell to Shikhar Dhawan, Dot to end the over! 13 from the first one. The last ball is floated around off, Dhawan looks to drive but closes the bat face early. The ball goes to the bowler a bit uppishly but it falls short.
Glenn Maxwell to Shikhar Dhawan, ! BOOM! Signs of the man in form. Loopy ball outside off, Dhawan sits down, uses his long reach and slog sweeps it over deep mid-wicket for a biggie. First one of the game.
Glenn Maxwell to Shikhar Dhawan, Bowls a flat one around off, pushed towards the cover fielder.
Glenn Maxwell to Shikhar Dhawan, Tossed up and outside off, it is driven through mid off for a couple of runs.
Glenn Maxwell to Shikhar Dhawan, ! Poor effort from Pooran and Dhawan gets going with a boundary. Shortish and outside off, Dhawan cuts it off his back foot towards point. Pooran is the fielder who makes a mess of the simple chance and allows the ball to go to the fence.
Glenn Maxwell to Prithvi Shaw, Shaw and Delhi are underway! A flatter ball around middle to begin from Maxwell, Shaw goes back and tucks it through square leg for a run.
We are all set to begin at the 'Ring of Fire' then! The umpires stride out to the middle. KL Rahul shares the final words of wisdom to his players before they go and take their respective positions on the field. Following them to the middle are Delhi's openers, Shikhar Dhawan and Prithvi Shaw. The latter has not got going in the last 3 games and he would want to get going this time around. Glenn Maxwell to start with the ball for Punjab. Mid on and square leg are back. We are away then...
Shimron Hetmyer did not feature in the last couple of games due to injuries and other jigs carried out by Delhi to their team. Up for a chat, he says that he wants to do the right things in the preparations so that he can do well whenever he gets a chance to play. Adds that his fellow teammates from West Indies have helped him in developing his craft. States that the Delhi camp is in a really good mood not just because of their victories but also because they bond well.ÂÂ
Punjab (Playing XI) - KL Rahul (WK/C), Mayank Agarwal, Chris Gayle, Nicholas Pooran, Glenn Maxwell, Deepak Hooda, James Neesham (IN PLACE OF CHRIS JORDAN), Murugan Ashwin, Mohammed Shami, Ravi Bishnoi, Arshdeep Singh.ÂÂ
Delhi (Playing XI) - Prithvi Shaw, Shikhar Dhawan, Shreyas Iyer (C), Rishabh Pant (IN PLACE OF AJINKYA RAHANE), Shimron Hetmyer (IN PLACE OF ALEX CAREY), Daniel Sams (IN PLACE OF ANRICH NORTJE), Marcus Stoinis, Axar Patel, Ravichandran Ashwin, Tushar Deshpande, Kagiso Rabada.
KL Rahul, Punjab's skipper, says that the effort and the hearts that the boys have shown so far, in the 9 games, is tremendous. States that they played really hard for two points in the last game. Adds that they need to continue playing hard in the coming games. On the changes, Rahul states that Chris Jordan misses out and Jimmy Neesham comes in.ÂÂ
Shreyas Iyer, Delhi's captain, says that there is no particular reason for batting first, the only thing being that they have experienced a lot of success doing so. States that Delhi had a dramatic encounter against Punjab the last time around. Adds further that Punjab come after a win from a tough last game and there is a need to respect that and not take them lightly. On the changes, Shreyas Iyer informs that Daniel Sams, Rishabh Pant and Shimron Hetmyer come in without elaborating on who miss
TOSS - The two captains are out in the middle, Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul. Up goes the coin and it comes in Delhi's favour. THEY ELECT TO BAT!
Pitch Report - Simon Doull is in the middle for the Pitch Report. He says that the surface for this game is very green and grassy as compared to the barren surface on Sunday. Anjum Chopra is there as well. She states that win the toss and bowl first could be a possibility. Simon Doull says the same, reckons it is a bowl-first surface.
Punjab have opened a window for themselves after 2 back-to-back wins, against Bangalore and Mumbai. The plot to bring Gayle late in the season has been working good. Their batting continues to be strong while the spin department is exceptional. Death bowling is something they would have worked on before this game. How they fare there will be interesting to see.
Delhi, need we say anything? 14 points from 9 games, comfortably perched at the top. The two key things that would be in our minds is will Pant and Hetmyer make a comeback in this game? They should, going by all possible means. Delhi are belligerently strong across departments but know that they cannot beat a revivalist Punjab easily. The toss and team updates coming up shortly...
Back to Dubai we are after that rollercoaster of a ride from Match 36 between Punjab and Mumbai. 2 Super Overs in one game, who can forget that? Nobody, but since games in the League come thick and fast, we have to keep moving ahead. Rahul's men now take on Iyer's shortly at that very same ground where the former had won a hard-fought feast earlier.
Delhi were going fine though, at 106/3 towards the end of the 14th over. Shikhar Dhawan being a constant at one end. He got to his 50 and continued marching strongly. Stoinis was pretty much in and back in the hut in no time, with very minimal impact. But it was to be one man's day with the bat for Delhi, that of Shikhar Dhawan. No matter who came and went, Dhawan continued strongly, undeterred by the fall of wickets from the other end. He got to his second league ton, the first player to get ba
For the batting firepower they have, Punjab will back themselves to clinch this. But Delhi have been outstanding with the ball throughout the tournament. It will be interesting to see how Daniel Sams would go about. He is very good with his variations and given that this is his first League game, can he be the dark horse that Delhi would be hoping him to be? Questions which will be answered as the chase gets underway shortly...
Punjab would be pleased with the way they bowled overall. They did the containining job towards the end well and would overall be happy with their efforts, although they would have fancied themselves to see the back of Dhawan. Still, it is a very good effort from Rahul's men. Shami was exceptional in his 4 overs, getting 2 wickets as well. Murugan Ashwin, Maxwell and Neesham got a wicket each as well. Arshdeep Singh ended up being on the expensive side though. But overall, Rahul would be very pl
Delhi got off to a good start but again, Shaw's poor run-of-form continued. He got out for just 7 in the 4th over. Iyer came in next, he played watchfully but did not make much of an impact, falling for 14. Rishabh Pant came in next, making a comeback after injury forced him out in one of the earlier games. He was looking good but just like his skipper fell for 14.
Punjab have done well to fight themselves back in the end very brilliantly. Excellent death bowling and they have contained Delhi to under 170, especially with Dhawan there till the end. But what a knock it has been from Gabbar. Fantastic, take a bow, Shikhar Dhawan.ÂÂ
Mohammed Shami to Shimron Hetmyer, ! TIMBER! What a way to end the innings from Shami. Full, fast and straight, Hetmyer swings hard but fails to connect. The ball shatters the stumps behind. Top last over from Shami. Delhi end with 164/5.
Mohammed Shami to Shimron Hetmyer, Overthrow! Full and around off, Hetmyer can only dig it out towards mid off. They go for the run. The fielder fires the throw at the non-striker's end but misses. There is no one backing up and they get one more run.
Mohammed Shami to Shikhar Dhawan, Dhawan looks to reverse sweep but doesn't time it well. The ball goes towards point for a run.
Mohammed Shami to Shimron Hetmyer, Only a run. Very full ball around off, Hetmyer can only push it down to long off for a single.
Mohammed Shami to Shikhar Dhawan, Good yorker! It is very straight. Dhawan makes room and digs it towards cover for a single.
Mohammed Shami to Shikhar Dhawan, A couple to begin the final over. Full and wide outside off, Dhawan moves towards the off side and paddles it wide of the deep square leg fielder for a couple.
Arshdeep Singh to Shimron Hetmyer, ! BOOM! Full ball around off and middle, Hetmyer powers it over long on for a maximum. 12 runs off the penultimate over. How much can Delhi get on the last over? Can they go over 175?
Arshdeep Singh to Shikhar Dhawan, Full and on middle, flicked to long on for a single.
Arshdeep Singh to Shikhar Dhawan, CENTURY FOR DHAWAN! Back-to-back hundreds for him in the Indian T20 League. Only player to do so as well. Short and wide outside off, Dhawan reaches out and forces it wide of the deep point fielder. Before the fielder can get to the ball, two taken. The helmet has been removed, the arms go up in celebration. What a knock! First batsman in the history of the tournament to score back-to-back hundreds. Take a bow!
Arshdeep Singh to Shikhar Dhawan, A couple now and Dhawan moves to 99. Could've been only a single but Hetmyer read it well and forced Dhawan to go for the second. A full ball around middle, Dhawan pushes it through mid on. He takes the first run. Hetmyer wants the second, Dhawan says no but Hetmyer keeps running. Dhawan eventually gives up and goes for the second and completes it easily.
Arshdeep Singh to Shimron Hetmyer, Very full and outside off, pushed to long off for a single.
Murugan Ashwin has completed his quota. Arshdeep Singh is back in, to bowl the penultimate over. 2-0-18-0 for him.
Arshdeep Singh to Shimron Hetmyer, Good yorker! It is around off, Hetmyer can only push it back to the bowler.
Mohammed Shami to Shikhar Dhawan, Full and outside off, driven towards the cover fielder. A fine over from Shami.
Mohammed Shami to Shikhar Dhawan, ! Cut away! Short and wide outside off, Dhawan flays it through point and finds the fence. There was a fielder in the deep but he hardly got time to move to his left.
Mohammed Shami to Shikhar Dhawan, Aggression from Shami! Dhawan jumps out of the crease, Shami bowls a length ball around off, Dhawan pushes it back to the bowler. Shami quickly picks the ball and fires the throw at the striker's end, making Dhawan to rush back. It would've been interesting had he hit.
Will we see Hetmyer now? Yes, Shimron Hetmyer it is.
Mohammed Shami to Marcus Stoinis, ! TAKEN! Big wicket! Not a wicket-taking ball though but Shami and Punjab won't mind. Shami runs in and ends up dishing a full toss on middle, Stoinis looks to flick but the bat turns in his hand and he ends up hitting it high in the air towards the off side. Agarwal settles under the ball and takes it easily.
Mohammed Shami to Shikhar Dhawan, Very full and outside off, pushed towards point for a single.
Mohammed Shami to Marcus Stoinis, Very full and around off, pushed down to long on for a single.
Mohammed Shami is back. 2-0-15-0 for him so far.
Murugan Ashwin to Marcus Stoinis, Single to end the over. Floated on middle, Stoinis looks to flick but gets a leading edge towards covers. A single taken. A good over for Delhi. 13 off it.
Murugan Ashwin to Shikhar Dhawan, Short and just outside off, pushed down to long off for a run.
Murugan Ashwin to Shikhar Dhawan, Two now and Dhawan enters into the 90s. Short and on middle, pulled towards fine leg for easy two.
Murugan Ashwin to Marcus Stoinis, Full and outside off, driven to long off for a single.
Murugan Ashwin to Marcus Stoinis, WIDE! Down the leg side, Stoinis looks to pull but misses. Wided.
Murugan Ashwin to Shikhar Dhawan, Shortish and around middle, pushed through mid on for a single.
Murugan Ashwin to Shikhar Dhawan, ! BOOM! Floated on middle, Dhawan sits down and pumps it over deep square leg for half a dozen. The fielder there for a moment must have thought that he was in with a chance but it went well over him.
Ravi Bishnoi to Shikhar Dhawan, Quicker and shorter on middle, punched down to long on for a single.
Ravi Bishnoi to Marcus Stoinis, Flatter and around off, Marcus looks to drill it on the off side but gets an inside edge. The ball hits Rahul on the pad and goes towards covers. A single taken.
Ravi Bishnoi to Shikhar Dhawan, In the air but lands safely! Tossed up wide outside off, Dhawan looks to launch it over long off but ends up slicing it towards mid off. Two fielders try to get under the ball but fail to do so. A single.
Ravi Bishnoi to Marcus Stoinis, Flatter and around off, pushed to long off for a single.
Ravi Bishnoi to Shikhar Dhawan, On middle, this is worked to deep square leg for one.
Ravi Bishnoi to Shikhar Dhawan, ! Don't bowl there to Dhawan. Fullish ball on leg, Dhawan moves a touch to the leg side and lofts it over mid-wicket, well to the left of wide long on.
Murugan Ashwin to Marcus Stoinis, A couple to finish. On off, fullish, Stoinis dabs this towards wide long on and comes back for the second.
Murugan Ashwin to Marcus Stoinis, BEATEN! Flatter ball outside off, keeping low, Stoinis gives room and looks to cut but misses.
Murugan Ashwin to Shikhar Dhawan, Fullish and outside off, Dhawan looked to loft that over covers but gets a thick uppish outside edge towards deep backward point. Just the one.
Murugan Ashwin to Shikhar Dhawan, ! Just the wrong length to a man in very good form. Short ball on off, Dhawan pulls it firmly over mid-wicket and gets a boundary.
Murugan Ashwin to Marcus Stoinis, Googly, flat and quick and spinning into middle and leg, Stoinis rocks back and taps this through mid on for one.
Murugan Ashwin is back on. 2-0-11-1 are his numbers so far.
Murugan Ashwin to Shikhar Dhawan, Flatter ball on middle and leg, stabbed towards backward square leg for a single.
Glenn Maxwell to Shikhar Dhawan, Flat and outside off, Dhawan pushes it towards long off for a single. End of a successful over from Maxwell. A fine spell from Maxwell comes to an end. 1/31 in his 4. Don't forget that he went for 13 in the opening over of the game.
Glenn Maxwell to Marcus Stoinis, Stoinis is up and running! Flatter and outside off, he drives it towards long off and gets to the other end.
Who's next? Stoinis or Hetmyer or will we see Sams for the first time in the League, with the bat? The Hulk, Marcus Stoinis, it is.
Glenn Maxwell to Rishabh Pant, ! CAUGHT! Pant holes out! Maxwell gets the big fish. Maxwell fires a fuller ball on middle, Pant jumps out of his crease and looks to launch it over long on but fails to time it. He does well to get under the delivery but ends up hitting it straight to Agarwal at long on. Pant didn't really get going and he wanted to take on the spinner in his last over. You got to credit the captain too, for the fact that he persisted with Maxwell.
Glenn Maxwell to Shikhar Dhawan, Short and around off, pulled down to deep mid-wicket for one.
Glenn Maxwell to Rishabh Pant, Flatter and on middle, Pant tucks it towards mid-wicket and gets to the other end.
Glenn Maxwell to Shikhar Dhawan, Full and on middle, Dhawan works it towards deep mid-wicket. He takes the first one quickly but has to settle with that only as the fielder from deep is quick to get to the ball.
DRINKS! Right, 7 overs to go, Pant and Dhawan in the middle. The latter is well set, 66 off 37 balls and we all know the destructive capability of Pant as well, especially after he had missed out on a few games due to injury. Needless to add that Stoinis, Hetmyer and Sams follow. Time for Delhi to now rocket big time without much worries. Will Dhawan get a second consecutive ton in the League though? Let's see.
Ravi Bishnoi to Rishabh Pant, Looks to slog it on the leg side this time but ends up getting an inside edge onto the pads. Two dots to end the over. 9 off it.
Ravi Bishnoi to Rishabh Pant, Pant gives the charge, Bishnoi shortens the length, Pant blocks it towards the cover fielder.
Ravi Bishnoi to Shikhar Dhawan, Short and outside off, pushed to sweeper cover for a single.
Ravi Bishnoi to Shikhar Dhawan, ! 100 up in style! Tossed up ball on middle, Dhawan sits down and nails the slog sweep over square leg for a biggie. Fine shot. 5,000 runs for Dhawan in the Indian T20 League.
Ravi Bishnoi to Rishabh Pant, Flatter and around middle, flicked down to long on for one.
Ravi Bishnoi to Shikhar Dhawan, An appeal for LBW but not entertained. Flatter ball on leg, Dhawan rocks back and looks to pull but misses. Gets hit on the thigh pad. It goes to the off side and they take a leg bye as Bishnoi appeals to no avail.
Glenn Maxwell to Rishabh Pant, Dot to end the over. After the dot on the last ball, Pant wants to take Maxwell on. He dances down and looks to launch it over long on but gets an inside edge on the pad. The ball lobs off his pads but lands short of the bowler.
Glenn Maxwell to Rishabh Pant, Flatter and around middle, Pant pushes it towards the left of the bowler. Maxwell quickly gets to the ball and keeps Pant on strike.
Glenn Maxwell to Shikhar Dhawan, Flatter and outside off, Dhawan turns it towards mid-wicket and gets to the other end.
Glenn Maxwell to Rishabh Pant, Very full and on middle, Pant digs it out towards mid-wicket for a run.
Glenn Maxwell to Shikhar Dhawan, Another single. These two are not showing any signs of urgency at the moment. Flatter and on middle, Dhawan flicks it through mid-wicket and gets to the other end.
Glenn Maxwell to Rishabh Pant, Short and on middle, Pant tucks it through square leg for a single.
Ravi Bishnoi to Rishabh Pant, Single to end the over. On the last ball, Pant advances, Bishnoi shortens the length. Pant pushes it down to long on for a single. 7 off Bishnoi's first.
Ravi Bishnoi to Shikhar Dhawan, Shortish and on middle, Dhawan flicks it towards deep mid-wicket for an easy run.
Ravi Bishnoi to Rishabh Pant, Short and just outside off, cut to deep point for a single.
Ravi Bishnoi to Rishabh Pant, Flatter and around off, Pant first wanted to work it on the leg side but it keeps a touch low so he manges to block.
Ravi Bishnoi to Rishabh Pant, On middle, pushed back to the bowler.
Ravi Bishnoi is into the attack for the first time.
Ravi Bishnoi to Rishabh Pant, ! Slammed! Poor start from Bishnoi. Short and wide outside off, Pant slams it to the left of the cover fielder. He is late in moving to that side and the ball races away to the fence in the deep.
Glenn Maxwell to Rishabh Pant, A single to end. Flatter ball on middle and off, clipped to short mid-wicket for a run.
Glenn Maxwell to Shikhar Dhawan, On middle and leg, tapped to the leg side for one.
Glenn Maxwell to Shikhar Dhawan, ! Beautifully played. Flatter ball down the leg side, Dhawan helps it on its way by tapping it gently to the right of Rahul to the fine leg fence.
Glenn Maxwell to Rishabh Pant, Full, around middle and leg, tucked towards long on for a run.
Glenn Maxwell to Shikhar Dhawan, Around off, Dhawan smashes it back hard, past the bowler, towards long off. A single.
Glenn Maxwell to Rishabh Pant, On middle, clipped on the leg side for a single.
Murugan Ashwin to Rishabh Pant, Pant is off the mark. Taps this towards long on and takes a single. End of successful over from Murgan.
Murugan Ashwin to Rishabh Pant, Floated on the stumps, driven to the right of the bowler. Ashwin runs in and cuts it off.
Murugan Ashwin to Rishabh Pant, Full on middle, tucked to the leg side.
Rishabh Pant is the new man in.
Murugan Ashwin to Shreyas Iyer, ! CAUGHT! Shreyas Iyer, dangerous Iyer, goes for 14. The plot has worked for Punjab. Flatter ball down the leg side, Iyer looks to help it down to fine leg but gets a fine edge. Rahul, the keeper, anticipates well and moves to his left well ahead and takes the catch. Punjab appeal for a caught behind and the umpire concurs. Would have been a wide had Iyer decided not to flirt with that.
Murugan Ashwin to Shikhar Dhawan, This is driven towards long off for a run. 50 comes up for Dhawan. Continuing the fine touch.
Murugan Ashwin to Shikhar Dhawan, ! Taken on the full and into the gap. Full toss on off, Dhawan gets down and sweeps it forcefully in front of square leg for a boundary.
James Neesham to Shikhar Dhawan, A single to finish. Full, around off, driven to long off for one.
James Neesham to Shikhar Dhawan, ! Call was for two but they get more than that. On the pads, Dhawan tickles it towards the fine leg boundary. The man at fine leg cannot cut it away. A boundary results.
James Neesham to Shikhar Dhawan, On the pads, flicked to deep square leg for a couple.
James Neesham to Shreyas Iyer, Full ball around off, Iyer looks to defend but it comes off the outside edge. Keeps low, goes on a bounce to the right of Rahul. Rahul dives but cannot stop that. It goes off his mitts towards third man for a single.
James Neesham to Shikhar Dhawan, Dhawan makes room, Neesham follows him. Dhawan manages to force it through cover for one.
James Neesham is back in. 1-0-7-1 for him, got the wicket of Prithvi Shaw in his first.ÂÂ
James Neesham to Shreyas Iyer, Fuller and on middle, flicked to deep square leg for a single.
DRINKS! A good start for Delhi here, they lost Shaw cheaply but he has been in a poor run of form off late. But that has not hampered the shot playing ability of Dhawan and Iyer. Both are taking the singles and stroking at calculated free will as well. They have a good batting depth with Pant, Stoinis, Hetmyer and even Sams to follow. Would want to continue the same momentum for a while before going big real time.
Murugan Ashwin to Shreyas Iyer, One more run! 5 singles, a tidy over from Murugan. Flatter and on middle, keeps a touch low. Iyer flicks it towards mid-wicket and keeps the strike for the next over.
Murugan Ashwin to Shikhar Dhawan, Tossed up and outside off, Dhawan jumps out of his crease and lifts it over extra cover for a run.
Murugan Ashwin to Shreyas Iyer, Short and wide outside off, cut towards deep point for a single.
Murugan Ashwin to Shreyas Iyer, Flatter and around off, quicker too. Iyer pushes it towards the cover fielder.
Murugan Ashwin to Shikhar Dhawan, Shortish and just outside off, forced to sweeper cover for a run.
Murugan Ashwin to Shreyas Iyer, Flatter and around middle, Iyer flicks it trough mid-wicket for a single.
Murugan Ashwin, the leggie, into the attack now.
Arshdeep Singh to Shreyas Iyer, Single to end the over. 9 off it. Good length ball around off, Iyer pushes it towards point and goes for a run. Top Powerplay for Delhi.
Arshdeep Singh to Shikhar Dhawan, One more single! Low full toss on middle, Dhawan strokes it towards long on and gets to the other end.
Arshdeep Singh to Shreyas Iyer, Length ball on middle, Iyer flicks it towards square leg and gets to the other end.
Arshdeep Singh to Shikhar Dhawan, Short and wide outside off, cut through cover-point for one. 50 up for Delhi.
Arshdeep Singh to Shikhar Dhawan, ! Nicely done! Didn't go for the power but timing and placement. Short ball on middle, Dhawan swivels and help pulls it over square leg and once again the ball races away to the boundary. Runs coming thick and fast for Dhawan. He moves to 33 off 18 balls.
Arshdeep Singh is back in the attack.
Arshdeep Singh to Shreyas Iyer, Quick single this time. Length ball around off, Iyer taps it towards the off side onto the pitch and calls for a run. Dhawan responds and they complete the single easily.
Mohammed Shami to Shikhar Dhawan, Dot to end the over, another good one for Delhi. Good length and around off, Dhawan dabs it onto the pitch on the off side and thinks for the run. Shami is quick to the ball so they decide against it.
Mohammed Shami to Shikhar Dhawan, ! Third boundary in the over! Yes, Dhawan is certainly in mood. A length ball down the leg side. Dhawan walks across the off pole a touch and then pulls it over short fine leg and the ball races away to the fence. Dhawan's 5th boundary already.
Mohammed Shami to Shikhar Dhawan, ! SHOT! Full and outside off, in the slot for the southpaw. He lifts it over mid off and finds the fence.
Mohammed Shami to Shikhar Dhawan, Inside edge this time and it wasn't far from the stumps. Shortish and outside off, Dhawan looks to punch but gets an inside edge that goes past his sticks towards short fine leg.
Mohammed Shami to Shikhar Dhawan, EDGY ! Luck going with Dhawan. A length ball outside off, Dhawan looks to cut but gets a thick outside edge. It flies over the empty slip cordon and goes to the third man fence.
James Neesham to Shreyas Iyer, ! The skipper is off the mark in style! Shortish and wide outside off, pretty similar to the ball that helped Neesham get Shaw's wicket. However, this time it is skipper Iyer on strike. He smokes it over extra cover and clears the fence easily. Still a very good over from Neesham.
Mohammed Shami to Shikhar Dhawan, Shortish ball around off, punched towards cover-point for nothing.
Mohammed Shami is back in the attack. Just the 3 runs from his first over.
James Neesham to Shreyas Iyer, Another length delivery around middle, it is pushed back to the bowler.
James Neesham to Shikhar Dhawan, Good length ball around off, pushed towards point for a quick run.
James Neesham to Shikhar Dhawan, Full and wide outside off, Dhawan finds the cover fielder to his drive.
Shreyas Iyer, Delhi's skipper, walks out to bat at No. 3.
James Neesham to Prithvi Shaw, ! CAUGHT! Shaw's poor run continues. Number of his shots went in the air but dropped short but this one went little too high and Maxwell had enough time to settle under it and pouch it. Short and wide outside off, Shaw looks to launch it over extra cover but gets it off the toe end. It goes high in the air towards extra cover. Maxwell settles under it and takes the skier easily.
James Neesham, who is in for Chris Jordan today, to bowl now.
James Neesham to Prithvi Shaw, Full toss but Shaw finds the fielder again. He hasn't looked at his best so far. A full toss on middle, we normally term it as a gift from the bowler. Shaw though doesn't want it as he flicks it towards the mid-wicket fielder.
Arshdeep Singh to Shikhar Dhawan, Good length ball around off, pushed back to the bowler.
Arshdeep Singh to Shikhar Dhawan, ! Dhawan is in mood, again! He is continuing from where he had left last time. A length ball outside off, Dhawan comes down the track and lifts it over extra cover for a boundary. 2nd boundary in the over.
Arshdeep Singh to Prithvi Shaw, Another short one, this time Shaw pulls it but doesn't time it as well as he would've liked. That helps though as a bit of better timing and he would've found the fielder at deep square leg. Just the single.
Arshdeep Singh to Prithvi Shaw, ! First boundary for Shaw. Not from the middle of the bat but he will take it. Arshdeep bangs it short and bowls it on middle, Shaw goes for the pull but gets it off the gloves. It flies over the keeper and into the fine leg fence.
Arshdeep Singh to Prithvi Shaw, Just outside off on a good length, Shaw pushes it towards the cover fielder.
Here is Arshdeep Singh now, to bowl the third over.
Arshdeep Singh to Prithvi Shaw, That is a solid stroke but Shaw will get nothing. A length ball around middle, Shaw punches it nicely but finds mid on.
Mohammed Shami to Shikhar Dhawan, Yes! Top over from Shami. Just 3 off the over. The last ball is full and on middle, Dhawan flicks it nicely but straight to the mid on fielder.
Mohammed Shami to Shikhar Dhawan, Short and outside off, Dhawan finds the cover-point fielder. Good first over from Shami so far. Can he finish it well?
Mohammed Shami to Prithvi Shaw, EDGY! Good length ball on middle, Shaw looks to flick but the ball takes a thick outside edge and goes uppishly towards third man. It goes to the fielder on one bounce. A single.
Mohammed Shami to Prithvi Shaw, WIDE! Second extra of the over. A length ball down the leg side. Shaw lets it be. Wided by the umpire.
Mohammed Shami to Prithvi Shaw, Three dots! Short and outside off, Shaw forces it straight to the point fielder. It was a bit uppish but went on the bounce to Pooran there.
Mohammed Shami to Prithvi Shaw, Play and a miss! That's the way Shaw plays though. Shortish and outside off, Shaw looks to punch it on the up but the ball comes back in and goes below his bat to the keeper.
Mohammed Shami to Prithvi Shaw, Gets it correct this time and bowls it around off, Shaw blocks it towards point.
Who is it from the other end for Punjab then? It is Mohammed Shami.
Mohammed Shami to Prithvi Shaw, WIDE! Shami misses the line on the first ball. It is down the leg side. Shaw looks to flick but misses. Wided.
Glenn Maxwell to Shikhar Dhawan, Dot to end the over! 13 from the first one. The last ball is floated around off, Dhawan looks to drive but closes the bat face early. The ball goes to the bowler a bit uppishly but it falls short.
Glenn Maxwell to Shikhar Dhawan, ! BOOM! Signs of the man in form. Loopy ball outside off, Dhawan sits down, uses his long reach and slog sweeps it over deep mid-wicket for a biggie. First one of the game.
Glenn Maxwell to Shikhar Dhawan, Bowls a flat one around off, pushed towards the cover fielder.
Glenn Maxwell to Shikhar Dhawan, Tossed up and outside off, it is driven through mid off for a couple of runs.
Glenn Maxwell to Shikhar Dhawan, ! Poor effort from Pooran and Dhawan gets going with a boundary. Shortish and outside off, Dhawan cuts it off his back foot towards point. Pooran is the fielder who makes a mess of the simple chance and allows the ball to go to the fence.
Glenn Maxwell to Prithvi Shaw, Shaw and Delhi are underway! A flatter ball around middle to begin from Maxwell, Shaw goes back and tucks it through square leg for a run.
We are all set to begin at the 'Ring of Fire' then! The umpires stride out to the middle. KL Rahul shares the final words of wisdom to his players before they go and take their respective positions on the field. Following them to the middle are Delhi's openers, Shikhar Dhawan and Prithvi Shaw. The latter has not got going in the last 3 games and he would want to get going this time around. Glenn Maxwell to start with the ball for Punjab. Mid on and square leg are back. We are away then...
Shimron Hetmyer did not feature in the last couple of games due to injuries and other jigs carried out by Delhi to their team. Up for a chat, he says that he wants to do the right things in the preparations so that he can do well whenever he gets a chance to play. Adds that his fellow teammates from West Indies have helped him in developing his craft. States that the Delhi camp is in a really good mood not just because of their victories but also because they bond well.ÂÂ
Punjab (Playing XI) - KL Rahul (WK/C), Mayank Agarwal, Chris Gayle, Nicholas Pooran, Glenn Maxwell, Deepak Hooda, James Neesham (IN PLACE OF CHRIS JORDAN), Murugan Ashwin, Mohammed Shami, Ravi Bishnoi, Arshdeep Singh.ÂÂ
Delhi (Playing XI) - Prithvi Shaw, Shikhar Dhawan, Shreyas Iyer (C), Rishabh Pant (IN PLACE OF AJINKYA RAHANE), Shimron Hetmyer (IN PLACE OF ALEX CAREY), Daniel Sams (IN PLACE OF ANRICH NORTJE), Marcus Stoinis, Axar Patel, Ravichandran Ashwin, Tushar Deshpande, Kagiso Rabada.
KL Rahul, Punjab's skipper, says that the effort and the hearts that the boys have shown so far, in the 9 games, is tremendous. States that they played really hard for two points in the last game. Adds that they need to continue playing hard in the coming games. On the changes, Rahul states that Chris Jordan misses out and Jimmy Neesham comes in.ÂÂ
Shreyas Iyer, Delhi's captain, says that there is no particular reason for batting first, the only thing being that they have experienced a lot of success doing so. States that Delhi had a dramatic encounter against Punjab the last time around. Adds further that Punjab come after a win from a tough last game and there is a need to respect that and not take them lightly. On the changes, Shreyas Iyer informs that Daniel Sams, Rishabh Pant and Shimron Hetmyer come in without elaborating on who miss
TOSS - The two captains are out in the middle, Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul. Up goes the coin and it comes in Delhi's favour. THEY ELECT TO BAT!
Pitch Report - Simon Doull is in the middle for the Pitch Report. He says that the surface for this game is very green and grassy as compared to the barren surface on Sunday. Anjum Chopra is there as well. She states that win the toss and bowl first could be a possibility. Simon Doull says the same, reckons it is a bowl-first surface.
Punjab have opened a window for themselves after 2 back-to-back wins, against Bangalore and Mumbai. The plot to bring Gayle late in the season has been working good. Their batting continues to be strong while the spin department is exceptional. Death bowling is something they would have worked on before this game. How they fare there will be interesting to see.
Delhi, need we say anything? 14 points from 9 games, comfortably perched at the top. The two key things that would be in our minds is will Pant and Hetmyer make a comeback in this game? They should, going by all possible means. Delhi are belligerently strong across departments but know that they cannot beat a revivalist Punjab easily. The toss and team updates coming up shortly...
Back to Dubai we are after that rollercoaster of a ride from Match 36 between Punjab and Mumbai. 2 Super Overs in one game, who can forget that? Nobody, but since games in the League come thick and fast, we have to keep moving ahead. Rahul's men now take on Iyer's shortly at that very same ground where the former had won a hard-fought feast earlier.
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Kings XI Punjab
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Delhi were going fine though, at 106/3 towards the end of the 14th over. Shikhar Dhawan being a constant at one end. He got to his 50 and continued marching strongly. Stoinis was pretty much in and back in the hut in no time, with very minimal impact. But it was to be one man's day with the bat for Delhi, that of Shikhar Dhawan. No matter who came and went, Dhawan continued strongly, undeterred by the fall of wickets from the other end. He got to his second league ton, the first player to get ba
For the batting firepower they have, Punjab will back themselves to clinch this. But Delhi have been outstanding with the ball throughout the tournament. It will be interesting to see how Daniel Sams would go about. He is very good with his variations and given that this is his first League game, can he be the dark horse that Delhi would be hoping him to be? Questions which will be answered as the chase gets underway shortly...
Punjab would be pleased with the way they bowled overall. They did the containining job towards the end well and would overall be happy with their efforts, although they would have fancied themselves to see the back of Dhawan. Still, it is a very good effort from Rahul's men. Shami was exceptional in his 4 overs, getting 2 wickets as well. Murugan Ashwin, Maxwell and Neesham got a wicket each as well. Arshdeep Singh ended up being on the expensive side though. But overall, Rahul would be very pl
Delhi got off to a good start but again, Shaw's poor run-of-form continued. He got out for just 7 in the 4th over. Iyer came in next, he played watchfully but did not make much of an impact, falling for 14. Rishabh Pant came in next, making a comeback after injury forced him out in one of the earlier games. He was looking good but just like his skipper fell for 14.
Punjab have done well to fight themselves back in the end very brilliantly. Excellent death bowling and they have contained Delhi to under 170, especially with Dhawan there till the end. But what a knock it has been from Gabbar. Fantastic, take a bow, Shikhar Dhawan.ÂÂ
Mohammed Shami to Shimron Hetmyer, ! TIMBER! What a way to end the innings from Shami. Full, fast and straight, Hetmyer swings hard but fails to connect. The ball shatters the stumps behind. Top last over from Shami. Delhi end with 164/5.
Mohammed Shami to Shimron Hetmyer, Overthrow! Full and around off, Hetmyer can only dig it out towards mid off. They go for the run. The fielder fires the throw at the non-striker's end but misses. There is no one backing up and they get one more run.
Mohammed Shami to Shikhar Dhawan, Dhawan looks to reverse sweep but doesn't time it well. The ball goes towards point for a run.
Mohammed Shami to Shimron Hetmyer, Only a run. Very full ball around off, Hetmyer can only push it down to long off for a single.
Mohammed Shami to Shikhar Dhawan, Good yorker! It is very straight. Dhawan makes room and digs it towards cover for a single.
Mohammed Shami to Shikhar Dhawan, A couple to begin the final over. Full and wide outside off, Dhawan moves towards the off side and paddles it wide of the deep square leg fielder for a couple.
Arshdeep Singh to Shimron Hetmyer, ! BOOM! Full ball around off and middle, Hetmyer powers it over long on for a maximum. 12 runs off the penultimate over. How much can Delhi get on the last over? Can they go over 175?
Arshdeep Singh to Shikhar Dhawan, Full and on middle, flicked to long on for a single.
Arshdeep Singh to Shikhar Dhawan, CENTURY FOR DHAWAN! Back-to-back hundreds for him in the Indian T20 League. Only player to do so as well. Short and wide outside off, Dhawan reaches out and forces it wide of the deep point fielder. Before the fielder can get to the ball, two taken. The helmet has been removed, the arms go up in celebration. What a knock! First batsman in the history of the tournament to score back-to-back hundreds. Take a bow!
Arshdeep Singh to Shikhar Dhawan, A couple now and Dhawan moves to 99. Could've been only a single but Hetmyer read it well and forced Dhawan to go for the second. A full ball around middle, Dhawan pushes it through mid on. He takes the first run. Hetmyer wants the second, Dhawan says no but Hetmyer keeps running. Dhawan eventually gives up and goes for the second and completes it easily.
Arshdeep Singh to Shimron Hetmyer, Very full and outside off, pushed to long off for a single.
Murugan Ashwin has completed his quota. Arshdeep Singh is back in, to bowl the penultimate over. 2-0-18-0 for him.
Arshdeep Singh to Shimron Hetmyer, Good yorker! It is around off, Hetmyer can only push it back to the bowler.
Mohammed Shami to Shikhar Dhawan, Full and outside off, driven towards the cover fielder. A fine over from Shami.
Mohammed Shami to Shikhar Dhawan, ! Cut away! Short and wide outside off, Dhawan flays it through point and finds the fence. There was a fielder in the deep but he hardly got time to move to his left.
Mohammed Shami to Shikhar Dhawan, Aggression from Shami! Dhawan jumps out of the crease, Shami bowls a length ball around off, Dhawan pushes it back to the bowler. Shami quickly picks the ball and fires the throw at the striker's end, making Dhawan to rush back. It would've been interesting had he hit.
Will we see Hetmyer now? Yes, Shimron Hetmyer it is.
Mohammed Shami to Marcus Stoinis, ! TAKEN! Big wicket! Not a wicket-taking ball though but Shami and Punjab won't mind. Shami runs in and ends up dishing a full toss on middle, Stoinis looks to flick but the bat turns in his hand and he ends up hitting it high in the air towards the off side. Agarwal settles under the ball and takes it easily.
Mohammed Shami to Shikhar Dhawan, Very full and outside off, pushed towards point for a single.
Mohammed Shami to Marcus Stoinis, Very full and around off, pushed down to long on for a single.
Mohammed Shami is back. 2-0-15-0 for him so far.
Murugan Ashwin to Marcus Stoinis, Single to end the over. Floated on middle, Stoinis looks to flick but gets a leading edge towards covers. A single taken. A good over for Delhi. 13 off it.
Murugan Ashwin to Shikhar Dhawan, Short and just outside off, pushed down to long off for a run.
Murugan Ashwin to Shikhar Dhawan, Two now and Dhawan enters into the 90s. Short and on middle, pulled towards fine leg for easy two.
Murugan Ashwin to Marcus Stoinis, Full and outside off, driven to long off for a single.
Murugan Ashwin to Marcus Stoinis, WIDE! Down the leg side, Stoinis looks to pull but misses. Wided.
Murugan Ashwin to Shikhar Dhawan, Shortish and around middle, pushed through mid on for a single.
Murugan Ashwin to Shikhar Dhawan, ! BOOM! Floated on middle, Dhawan sits down and pumps it over deep square leg for half a dozen. The fielder there for a moment must have thought that he was in with a chance but it went well over him.
Ravi Bishnoi to Shikhar Dhawan, Quicker and shorter on middle, punched down to long on for a single.
Ravi Bishnoi to Marcus Stoinis, Flatter and around off, Marcus looks to drill it on the off side but gets an inside edge. The ball hits Rahul on the pad and goes towards covers. A single taken.
Ravi Bishnoi to Shikhar Dhawan, In the air but lands safely! Tossed up wide outside off, Dhawan looks to launch it over long off but ends up slicing it towards mid off. Two fielders try to get under the ball but fail to do so. A single.
Ravi Bishnoi to Marcus Stoinis, Flatter and around off, pushed to long off for a single.
Ravi Bishnoi to Shikhar Dhawan, On middle, this is worked to deep square leg for one.
Ravi Bishnoi to Shikhar Dhawan, ! Don't bowl there to Dhawan. Fullish ball on leg, Dhawan moves a touch to the leg side and lofts it over mid-wicket, well to the left of wide long on.
Murugan Ashwin to Marcus Stoinis, A couple to finish. On off, fullish, Stoinis dabs this towards wide long on and comes back for the second.
Murugan Ashwin to Marcus Stoinis, BEATEN! Flatter ball outside off, keeping low, Stoinis gives room and looks to cut but misses.
Murugan Ashwin to Shikhar Dhawan, Fullish and outside off, Dhawan looked to loft that over covers but gets a thick uppish outside edge towards deep backward point. Just the one.
Murugan Ashwin to Shikhar Dhawan, ! Just the wrong length to a man in very good form. Short ball on off, Dhawan pulls it firmly over mid-wicket and gets a boundary.
Murugan Ashwin to Marcus Stoinis, Googly, flat and quick and spinning into middle and leg, Stoinis rocks back and taps this through mid on for one.
Murugan Ashwin is back on. 2-0-11-1 are his numbers so far.
Murugan Ashwin to Shikhar Dhawan, Flatter ball on middle and leg, stabbed towards backward square leg for a single.
Glenn Maxwell to Shikhar Dhawan, Flat and outside off, Dhawan pushes it towards long off for a single. End of a successful over from Maxwell. A fine spell from Maxwell comes to an end. 1/31 in his 4. Don't forget that he went for 13 in the opening over of the game.
Glenn Maxwell to Marcus Stoinis, Stoinis is up and running! Flatter and outside off, he drives it towards long off and gets to the other end.
Who's next? Stoinis or Hetmyer or will we see Sams for the first time in the League, with the bat? The Hulk, Marcus Stoinis, it is.
Glenn Maxwell to Rishabh Pant, ! CAUGHT! Pant holes out! Maxwell gets the big fish. Maxwell fires a fuller ball on middle, Pant jumps out of his crease and looks to launch it over long on but fails to time it. He does well to get under the delivery but ends up hitting it straight to Agarwal at long on. Pant didn't really get going and he wanted to take on the spinner in his last over. You got to credit the captain too, for the fact that he persisted with Maxwell.
Glenn Maxwell to Shikhar Dhawan, Short and around off, pulled down to deep mid-wicket for one.
Glenn Maxwell to Rishabh Pant, Flatter and on middle, Pant tucks it towards mid-wicket and gets to the other end.
Glenn Maxwell to Shikhar Dhawan, Full and on middle, Dhawan works it towards deep mid-wicket. He takes the first one quickly but has to settle with that only as the fielder from deep is quick to get to the ball.
DRINKS! Right, 7 overs to go, Pant and Dhawan in the middle. The latter is well set, 66 off 37 balls and we all know the destructive capability of Pant as well, especially after he had missed out on a few games due to injury. Needless to add that Stoinis, Hetmyer and Sams follow. Time for Delhi to now rocket big time without much worries. Will Dhawan get a second consecutive ton in the League though? Let's see.
Ravi Bishnoi to Rishabh Pant, Looks to slog it on the leg side this time but ends up getting an inside edge onto the pads. Two dots to end the over. 9 off it.
Ravi Bishnoi to Rishabh Pant, Pant gives the charge, Bishnoi shortens the length, Pant blocks it towards the cover fielder.
Ravi Bishnoi to Shikhar Dhawan, Short and outside off, pushed to sweeper cover for a single.
Ravi Bishnoi to Shikhar Dhawan, ! 100 up in style! Tossed up ball on middle, Dhawan sits down and nails the slog sweep over square leg for a biggie. Fine shot. 5,000 runs for Dhawan in the Indian T20 League.
Ravi Bishnoi to Rishabh Pant, Flatter and around middle, flicked down to long on for one.
Ravi Bishnoi to Shikhar Dhawan, An appeal for LBW but not entertained. Flatter ball on leg, Dhawan rocks back and looks to pull but misses. Gets hit on the thigh pad. It goes to the off side and they take a leg bye as Bishnoi appeals to no avail.
Glenn Maxwell to Rishabh Pant, Dot to end the over. After the dot on the last ball, Pant wants to take Maxwell on. He dances down and looks to launch it over long on but gets an inside edge on the pad. The ball lobs off his pads but lands short of the bowler.
Glenn Maxwell to Rishabh Pant, Flatter and around middle, Pant pushes it towards the left of the bowler. Maxwell quickly gets to the ball and keeps Pant on strike.
Glenn Maxwell to Shikhar Dhawan, Flatter and outside off, Dhawan turns it towards mid-wicket and gets to the other end.
Glenn Maxwell to Rishabh Pant, Very full and on middle, Pant digs it out towards mid-wicket for a run.
Glenn Maxwell to Shikhar Dhawan, Another single. These two are not showing any signs of urgency at the moment. Flatter and on middle, Dhawan flicks it through mid-wicket and gets to the other end.
Glenn Maxwell to Rishabh Pant, Short and on middle, Pant tucks it through square leg for a single.
Ravi Bishnoi to Rishabh Pant, Single to end the over. On the last ball, Pant advances, Bishnoi shortens the length. Pant pushes it down to long on for a single. 7 off Bishnoi's first.
Ravi Bishnoi to Shikhar Dhawan, Shortish and on middle, Dhawan flicks it towards deep mid-wicket for an easy run.
Ravi Bishnoi to Rishabh Pant, Short and just outside off, cut to deep point for a single.
Ravi Bishnoi to Rishabh Pant, Flatter and around off, Pant first wanted to work it on the leg side but it keeps a touch low so he manges to block.
Ravi Bishnoi to Rishabh Pant, On middle, pushed back to the bowler.
Ravi Bishnoi is into the attack for the first time.
Ravi Bishnoi to Rishabh Pant, ! Slammed! Poor start from Bishnoi. Short and wide outside off, Pant slams it to the left of the cover fielder. He is late in moving to that side and the ball races away to the fence in the deep.
Glenn Maxwell to Rishabh Pant, A single to end. Flatter ball on middle and off, clipped to short mid-wicket for a run.
Glenn Maxwell to Shikhar Dhawan, On middle and leg, tapped to the leg side for one.
Glenn Maxwell to Shikhar Dhawan, ! Beautifully played. Flatter ball down the leg side, Dhawan helps it on its way by tapping it gently to the right of Rahul to the fine leg fence.
Glenn Maxwell to Rishabh Pant, Full, around middle and leg, tucked towards long on for a run.
Glenn Maxwell to Shikhar Dhawan, Around off, Dhawan smashes it back hard, past the bowler, towards long off. A single.
Glenn Maxwell to Rishabh Pant, On middle, clipped on the leg side for a single.
Murugan Ashwin to Rishabh Pant, Pant is off the mark. Taps this towards long on and takes a single. End of successful over from Murgan.
Murugan Ashwin to Rishabh Pant, Floated on the stumps, driven to the right of the bowler. Ashwin runs in and cuts it off.
Murugan Ashwin to Rishabh Pant, Full on middle, tucked to the leg side.
Rishabh Pant is the new man in.
Murugan Ashwin to Shreyas Iyer, ! CAUGHT! Shreyas Iyer, dangerous Iyer, goes for 14. The plot has worked for Punjab. Flatter ball down the leg side, Iyer looks to help it down to fine leg but gets a fine edge. Rahul, the keeper, anticipates well and moves to his left well ahead and takes the catch. Punjab appeal for a caught behind and the umpire concurs. Would have been a wide had Iyer decided not to flirt with that.
Murugan Ashwin to Shikhar Dhawan, This is driven towards long off for a run. 50 comes up for Dhawan. Continuing the fine touch.
Murugan Ashwin to Shikhar Dhawan, ! Taken on the full and into the gap. Full toss on off, Dhawan gets down and sweeps it forcefully in front of square leg for a boundary.
James Neesham to Shikhar Dhawan, A single to finish. Full, around off, driven to long off for one.
James Neesham to Shikhar Dhawan, ! Call was for two but they get more than that. On the pads, Dhawan tickles it towards the fine leg boundary. The man at fine leg cannot cut it away. A boundary results.
James Neesham to Shikhar Dhawan, On the pads, flicked to deep square leg for a couple.
James Neesham to Shreyas Iyer, Full ball around off, Iyer looks to defend but it comes off the outside edge. Keeps low, goes on a bounce to the right of Rahul. Rahul dives but cannot stop that. It goes off his mitts towards third man for a single.
James Neesham to Shikhar Dhawan, Dhawan makes room, Neesham follows him. Dhawan manages to force it through cover for one.
James Neesham is back in. 1-0-7-1 for him, got the wicket of Prithvi Shaw in his first.ÂÂ
James Neesham to Shreyas Iyer, Fuller and on middle, flicked to deep square leg for a single.
DRINKS! A good start for Delhi here, they lost Shaw cheaply but he has been in a poor run of form off late. But that has not hampered the shot playing ability of Dhawan and Iyer. Both are taking the singles and stroking at calculated free will as well. They have a good batting depth with Pant, Stoinis, Hetmyer and even Sams to follow. Would want to continue the same momentum for a while before going big real time.
Murugan Ashwin to Shreyas Iyer, One more run! 5 singles, a tidy over from Murugan. Flatter and on middle, keeps a touch low. Iyer flicks it towards mid-wicket and keeps the strike for the next over.
Murugan Ashwin to Shikhar Dhawan, Tossed up and outside off, Dhawan jumps out of his crease and lifts it over extra cover for a run.
Murugan Ashwin to Shreyas Iyer, Short and wide outside off, cut towards deep point for a single.
Murugan Ashwin to Shreyas Iyer, Flatter and around off, quicker too. Iyer pushes it towards the cover fielder.
Murugan Ashwin to Shikhar Dhawan, Shortish and just outside off, forced to sweeper cover for a run.
Murugan Ashwin to Shreyas Iyer, Flatter and around middle, Iyer flicks it trough mid-wicket for a single.
Murugan Ashwin, the leggie, into the attack now.
Arshdeep Singh to Shreyas Iyer, Single to end the over. 9 off it. Good length ball around off, Iyer pushes it towards point and goes for a run. Top Powerplay for Delhi.
Arshdeep Singh to Shikhar Dhawan, One more single! Low full toss on middle, Dhawan strokes it towards long on and gets to the other end.
Arshdeep Singh to Shreyas Iyer, Length ball on middle, Iyer flicks it towards square leg and gets to the other end.
Arshdeep Singh to Shikhar Dhawan, Short and wide outside off, cut through cover-point for one. 50 up for Delhi.
Arshdeep Singh to Shikhar Dhawan, ! Nicely done! Didn't go for the power but timing and placement. Short ball on middle, Dhawan swivels and help pulls it over square leg and once again the ball races away to the boundary. Runs coming thick and fast for Dhawan. He moves to 33 off 18 balls.
Arshdeep Singh is back in the attack.
Arshdeep Singh to Shreyas Iyer, Quick single this time. Length ball around off, Iyer taps it towards the off side onto the pitch and calls for a run. Dhawan responds and they complete the single easily.
Mohammed Shami to Shikhar Dhawan, Dot to end the over, another good one for Delhi. Good length and around off, Dhawan dabs it onto the pitch on the off side and thinks for the run. Shami is quick to the ball so they decide against it.
Mohammed Shami to Shikhar Dhawan, ! Third boundary in the over! Yes, Dhawan is certainly in mood. A length ball down the leg side. Dhawan walks across the off pole a touch and then pulls it over short fine leg and the ball races away to the fence. Dhawan's 5th boundary already.
Mohammed Shami to Shikhar Dhawan, ! SHOT! Full and outside off, in the slot for the southpaw. He lifts it over mid off and finds the fence.
Mohammed Shami to Shikhar Dhawan, Inside edge this time and it wasn't far from the stumps. Shortish and outside off, Dhawan looks to punch but gets an inside edge that goes past his sticks towards short fine leg.
Mohammed Shami to Shikhar Dhawan, EDGY ! Luck going with Dhawan. A length ball outside off, Dhawan looks to cut but gets a thick outside edge. It flies over the empty slip cordon and goes to the third man fence.
James Neesham to Shreyas Iyer, ! The skipper is off the mark in style! Shortish and wide outside off, pretty similar to the ball that helped Neesham get Shaw's wicket. However, this time it is skipper Iyer on strike. He smokes it over extra cover and clears the fence easily. Still a very good over from Neesham.
Mohammed Shami to Shikhar Dhawan, Shortish ball around off, punched towards cover-point for nothing.
Mohammed Shami is back in the attack. Just the 3 runs from his first over.
James Neesham to Shreyas Iyer, Another length delivery around middle, it is pushed back to the bowler.
James Neesham to Shikhar Dhawan, Good length ball around off, pushed towards point for a quick run.
James Neesham to Shikhar Dhawan, Full and wide outside off, Dhawan finds the cover fielder to his drive.
Shreyas Iyer, Delhi's skipper, walks out to bat at No. 3.
James Neesham to Prithvi Shaw, ! CAUGHT! Shaw's poor run continues. Number of his shots went in the air but dropped short but this one went little too high and Maxwell had enough time to settle under it and pouch it. Short and wide outside off, Shaw looks to launch it over extra cover but gets it off the toe end. It goes high in the air towards extra cover. Maxwell settles under it and takes the skier easily.
James Neesham, who is in for Chris Jordan today, to bowl now.
James Neesham to Prithvi Shaw, Full toss but Shaw finds the fielder again. He hasn't looked at his best so far. A full toss on middle, we normally term it as a gift from the bowler. Shaw though doesn't want it as he flicks it towards the mid-wicket fielder.
Arshdeep Singh to Shikhar Dhawan, Good length ball around off, pushed back to the bowler.
Arshdeep Singh to Shikhar Dhawan, ! Dhawan is in mood, again! He is continuing from where he had left last time. A length ball outside off, Dhawan comes down the track and lifts it over extra cover for a boundary. 2nd boundary in the over.
Arshdeep Singh to Prithvi Shaw, Another short one, this time Shaw pulls it but doesn't time it as well as he would've liked. That helps though as a bit of better timing and he would've found the fielder at deep square leg. Just the single.
Arshdeep Singh to Prithvi Shaw, ! First boundary for Shaw. Not from the middle of the bat but he will take it. Arshdeep bangs it short and bowls it on middle, Shaw goes for the pull but gets it off the gloves. It flies over the keeper and into the fine leg fence.
Arshdeep Singh to Prithvi Shaw, Just outside off on a good length, Shaw pushes it towards the cover fielder.
Here is Arshdeep Singh now, to bowl the third over.
Arshdeep Singh to Prithvi Shaw, That is a solid stroke but Shaw will get nothing. A length ball around middle, Shaw punches it nicely but finds mid on.
Mohammed Shami to Shikhar Dhawan, Yes! Top over from Shami. Just 3 off the over. The last ball is full and on middle, Dhawan flicks it nicely but straight to the mid on fielder.
Mohammed Shami to Shikhar Dhawan, Short and outside off, Dhawan finds the cover-point fielder. Good first over from Shami so far. Can he finish it well?
Mohammed Shami to Prithvi Shaw, EDGY! Good length ball on middle, Shaw looks to flick but the ball takes a thick outside edge and goes uppishly towards third man. It goes to the fielder on one bounce. A single.
Mohammed Shami to Prithvi Shaw, WIDE! Second extra of the over. A length ball down the leg side. Shaw lets it be. Wided by the umpire.
Mohammed Shami to Prithvi Shaw, Three dots! Short and outside off, Shaw forces it straight to the point fielder. It was a bit uppish but went on the bounce to Pooran there.
Mohammed Shami to Prithvi Shaw, Play and a miss! That's the way Shaw plays though. Shortish and outside off, Shaw looks to punch it on the up but the ball comes back in and goes below his bat to the keeper.
Mohammed Shami to Prithvi Shaw, Gets it correct this time and bowls it around off, Shaw blocks it towards point.
Who is it from the other end for Punjab then? It is Mohammed Shami.
Mohammed Shami to Prithvi Shaw, WIDE! Shami misses the line on the first ball. It is down the leg side. Shaw looks to flick but misses. Wided.
Glenn Maxwell to Shikhar Dhawan, Dot to end the over! 13 from the first one. The last ball is floated around off, Dhawan looks to drive but closes the bat face early. The ball goes to the bowler a bit uppishly but it falls short.
Glenn Maxwell to Shikhar Dhawan, ! BOOM! Signs of the man in form. Loopy ball outside off, Dhawan sits down, uses his long reach and slog sweeps it over deep mid-wicket for a biggie. First one of the game.
Glenn Maxwell to Shikhar Dhawan, Bowls a flat one around off, pushed towards the cover fielder.
Glenn Maxwell to Shikhar Dhawan, Tossed up and outside off, it is driven through mid off for a couple of runs.
Glenn Maxwell to Shikhar Dhawan, ! Poor effort from Pooran and Dhawan gets going with a boundary. Shortish and outside off, Dhawan cuts it off his back foot towards point. Pooran is the fielder who makes a mess of the simple chance and allows the ball to go to the fence.
Glenn Maxwell to Prithvi Shaw, Shaw and Delhi are underway! A flatter ball around middle to begin from Maxwell, Shaw goes back and tucks it through square leg for a run.
We are all set to begin at the 'Ring of Fire' then! The umpires stride out to the middle. KL Rahul shares the final words of wisdom to his players before they go and take their respective positions on the field. Following them to the middle are Delhi's openers, Shikhar Dhawan and Prithvi Shaw. The latter has not got going in the last 3 games and he would want to get going this time around. Glenn Maxwell to start with the ball for Punjab. Mid on and square leg are back. We are away then...
Shimron Hetmyer did not feature in the last couple of games due to injuries and other jigs carried out by Delhi to their team. Up for a chat, he says that he wants to do the right things in the preparations so that he can do well whenever he gets a chance to play. Adds that his fellow teammates from West Indies have helped him in developing his craft. States that the Delhi camp is in a really good mood not just because of their victories but also because they bond well.ÂÂ
Punjab (Playing XI) - KL Rahul (WK/C), Mayank Agarwal, Chris Gayle, Nicholas Pooran, Glenn Maxwell, Deepak Hooda, James Neesham (IN PLACE OF CHRIS JORDAN), Murugan Ashwin, Mohammed Shami, Ravi Bishnoi, Arshdeep Singh.ÂÂ
Delhi (Playing XI) - Prithvi Shaw, Shikhar Dhawan, Shreyas Iyer (C), Rishabh Pant (IN PLACE OF AJINKYA RAHANE), Shimron Hetmyer (IN PLACE OF ALEX CAREY), Daniel Sams (IN PLACE OF ANRICH NORTJE), Marcus Stoinis, Axar Patel, Ravichandran Ashwin, Tushar Deshpande, Kagiso Rabada.
KL Rahul, Punjab's skipper, says that the effort and the hearts that the boys have shown so far, in the 9 games, is tremendous. States that they played really hard for two points in the last game. Adds that they need to continue playing hard in the coming games. On the changes, Rahul states that Chris Jordan misses out and Jimmy Neesham comes in.ÂÂ
Shreyas Iyer, Delhi's captain, says that there is no particular reason for batting first, the only thing being that they have experienced a lot of success doing so. States that Delhi had a dramatic encounter against Punjab the last time around. Adds further that Punjab come after a win from a tough last game and there is a need to respect that and not take them lightly. On the changes, Shreyas Iyer informs that Daniel Sams, Rishabh Pant and Shimron Hetmyer come in without elaborating on who miss
TOSS - The two captains are out in the middle, Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul. Up goes the coin and it comes in Delhi's favour. THEY ELECT TO BAT!
Pitch Report - Simon Doull is in the middle for the Pitch Report. He says that the surface for this game is very green and grassy as compared to the barren surface on Sunday. Anjum Chopra is there as well. She states that win the toss and bowl first could be a possibility. Simon Doull says the same, reckons it is a bowl-first surface.
Punjab have opened a window for themselves after 2 back-to-back wins, against Bangalore and Mumbai. The plot to bring Gayle late in the season has been working good. Their batting continues to be strong while the spin department is exceptional. Death bowling is something they would have worked on before this game. How they fare there will be interesting to see.
Delhi, need we say anything? 14 points from 9 games, comfortably perched at the top. The two key things that would be in our minds is will Pant and Hetmyer make a comeback in this game? They should, going by all possible means. Delhi are belligerently strong across departments but know that they cannot beat a revivalist Punjab easily. The toss and team updates coming up shortly...
Back to Dubai we are after that rollercoaster of a ride from Match 36 between Punjab and Mumbai. 2 Super Overs in one game, who can forget that? Nobody, but since games in the League come thick and fast, we have to keep moving ahead. Rahul's men now take on Iyer's shortly at that very same ground where the former had won a hard-fought feast earlier.
Delhi were going fine though, at 106/3 towards the end of the 14th over. Shikhar Dhawan being a constant at one end. He got to his 50 and continued marching strongly. Stoinis was pretty much in and back in the hut in no time, with very minimal impact. But it was to be one man's day with the bat for Delhi, that of Shikhar Dhawan. No matter who came and went, Dhawan continued strongly, undeterred by the fall of wickets from the other end. He got to his second league ton, the first player to get ba
For the batting firepower they have, Punjab will back themselves to clinch this. But Delhi have been outstanding with the ball throughout the tournament. It will be interesting to see how Daniel Sams would go about. He is very good with his variations and given that this is his first League game, can he be the dark horse that Delhi would be hoping him to be? Questions which will be answered as the chase gets underway shortly...
Punjab would be pleased with the way they bowled overall. They did the containining job towards the end well and would overall be happy with their efforts, although they would have fancied themselves to see the back of Dhawan. Still, it is a very good effort from Rahul's men. Shami was exceptional in his 4 overs, getting 2 wickets as well. Murugan Ashwin, Maxwell and Neesham got a wicket each as well. Arshdeep Singh ended up being on the expensive side though. But overall, Rahul would be very pl
Delhi got off to a good start but again, Shaw's poor run-of-form continued. He got out for just 7 in the 4th over. Iyer came in next, he played watchfully but did not make much of an impact, falling for 14. Rishabh Pant came in next, making a comeback after injury forced him out in one of the earlier games. He was looking good but just like his skipper fell for 14.
Punjab have done well to fight themselves back in the end very brilliantly. Excellent death bowling and they have contained Delhi to under 170, especially with Dhawan there till the end. But what a knock it has been from Gabbar. Fantastic, take a bow, Shikhar Dhawan.ÂÂ
Mohammed Shami to Shimron Hetmyer, ! TIMBER! What a way to end the innings from Shami. Full, fast and straight, Hetmyer swings hard but fails to connect. The ball shatters the stumps behind. Top last over from Shami. Delhi end with 164/5.
Mohammed Shami to Shimron Hetmyer, Overthrow! Full and around off, Hetmyer can only dig it out towards mid off. They go for the run. The fielder fires the throw at the non-striker's end but misses. There is no one backing up and they get one more run.
Mohammed Shami to Shikhar Dhawan, Dhawan looks to reverse sweep but doesn't time it well. The ball goes towards point for a run.
Mohammed Shami to Shimron Hetmyer, Only a run. Very full ball around off, Hetmyer can only push it down to long off for a single.
Mohammed Shami to Shikhar Dhawan, Good yorker! It is very straight. Dhawan makes room and digs it towards cover for a single.
Mohammed Shami to Shikhar Dhawan, A couple to begin the final over. Full and wide outside off, Dhawan moves towards the off side and paddles it wide of the deep square leg fielder for a couple.
Arshdeep Singh to Shimron Hetmyer, ! BOOM! Full ball around off and middle, Hetmyer powers it over long on for a maximum. 12 runs off the penultimate over. How much can Delhi get on the last over? Can they go over 175?
Arshdeep Singh to Shikhar Dhawan, Full and on middle, flicked to long on for a single.
Arshdeep Singh to Shikhar Dhawan, CENTURY FOR DHAWAN! Back-to-back hundreds for him in the Indian T20 League. Only player to do so as well. Short and wide outside off, Dhawan reaches out and forces it wide of the deep point fielder. Before the fielder can get to the ball, two taken. The helmet has been removed, the arms go up in celebration. What a knock! First batsman in the history of the tournament to score back-to-back hundreds. Take a bow!
Arshdeep Singh to Shikhar Dhawan, A couple now and Dhawan moves to 99. Could've been only a single but Hetmyer read it well and forced Dhawan to go for the second. A full ball around middle, Dhawan pushes it through mid on. He takes the first run. Hetmyer wants the second, Dhawan says no but Hetmyer keeps running. Dhawan eventually gives up and goes for the second and completes it easily.
Arshdeep Singh to Shimron Hetmyer, Very full and outside off, pushed to long off for a single.
Murugan Ashwin has completed his quota. Arshdeep Singh is back in, to bowl the penultimate over. 2-0-18-0 for him.
Arshdeep Singh to Shimron Hetmyer, Good yorker! It is around off, Hetmyer can only push it back to the bowler.
Mohammed Shami to Shikhar Dhawan, Full and outside off, driven towards the cover fielder. A fine over from Shami.
Mohammed Shami to Shikhar Dhawan, ! Cut away! Short and wide outside off, Dhawan flays it through point and finds the fence. There was a fielder in the deep but he hardly got time to move to his left.
Mohammed Shami to Shikhar Dhawan, Aggression from Shami! Dhawan jumps out of the crease, Shami bowls a length ball around off, Dhawan pushes it back to the bowler. Shami quickly picks the ball and fires the throw at the striker's end, making Dhawan to rush back. It would've been interesting had he hit.
Will we see Hetmyer now? Yes, Shimron Hetmyer it is.
Mohammed Shami to Marcus Stoinis, ! TAKEN! Big wicket! Not a wicket-taking ball though but Shami and Punjab won't mind. Shami runs in and ends up dishing a full toss on middle, Stoinis looks to flick but the bat turns in his hand and he ends up hitting it high in the air towards the off side. Agarwal settles under the ball and takes it easily.
Mohammed Shami to Shikhar Dhawan, Very full and outside off, pushed towards point for a single.
Mohammed Shami to Marcus Stoinis, Very full and around off, pushed down to long on for a single.
Mohammed Shami is back. 2-0-15-0 for him so far.
Murugan Ashwin to Marcus Stoinis, Single to end the over. Floated on middle, Stoinis looks to flick but gets a leading edge towards covers. A single taken. A good over for Delhi. 13 off it.
Murugan Ashwin to Shikhar Dhawan, Short and just outside off, pushed down to long off for a run.
Murugan Ashwin to Shikhar Dhawan, Two now and Dhawan enters into the 90s. Short and on middle, pulled towards fine leg for easy two.
Murugan Ashwin to Marcus Stoinis, Full and outside off, driven to long off for a single.
Murugan Ashwin to Marcus Stoinis, WIDE! Down the leg side, Stoinis looks to pull but misses. Wided.
Murugan Ashwin to Shikhar Dhawan, Shortish and around middle, pushed through mid on for a single.
Murugan Ashwin to Shikhar Dhawan, ! BOOM! Floated on middle, Dhawan sits down and pumps it over deep square leg for half a dozen. The fielder there for a moment must have thought that he was in with a chance but it went well over him.
Ravi Bishnoi to Shikhar Dhawan, Quicker and shorter on middle, punched down to long on for a single.
Ravi Bishnoi to Marcus Stoinis, Flatter and around off, Marcus looks to drill it on the off side but gets an inside edge. The ball hits Rahul on the pad and goes towards covers. A single taken.
Ravi Bishnoi to Shikhar Dhawan, In the air but lands safely! Tossed up wide outside off, Dhawan looks to launch it over long off but ends up slicing it towards mid off. Two fielders try to get under the ball but fail to do so. A single.
Ravi Bishnoi to Marcus Stoinis, Flatter and around off, pushed to long off for a single.
Ravi Bishnoi to Shikhar Dhawan, On middle, this is worked to deep square leg for one.
Ravi Bishnoi to Shikhar Dhawan, ! Don't bowl there to Dhawan. Fullish ball on leg, Dhawan moves a touch to the leg side and lofts it over mid-wicket, well to the left of wide long on.
Murugan Ashwin to Marcus Stoinis, A couple to finish. On off, fullish, Stoinis dabs this towards wide long on and comes back for the second.
Murugan Ashwin to Marcus Stoinis, BEATEN! Flatter ball outside off, keeping low, Stoinis gives room and looks to cut but misses.
Murugan Ashwin to Shikhar Dhawan, Fullish and outside off, Dhawan looked to loft that over covers but gets a thick uppish outside edge towards deep backward point. Just the one.
Murugan Ashwin to Shikhar Dhawan, ! Just the wrong length to a man in very good form. Short ball on off, Dhawan pulls it firmly over mid-wicket and gets a boundary.
Murugan Ashwin to Marcus Stoinis, Googly, flat and quick and spinning into middle and leg, Stoinis rocks back and taps this through mid on for one.
Murugan Ashwin is back on. 2-0-11-1 are his numbers so far.
Murugan Ashwin to Shikhar Dhawan, Flatter ball on middle and leg, stabbed towards backward square leg for a single.
Glenn Maxwell to Shikhar Dhawan, Flat and outside off, Dhawan pushes it towards long off for a single. End of a successful over from Maxwell. A fine spell from Maxwell comes to an end. 1/31 in his 4. Don't forget that he went for 13 in the opening over of the game.
Glenn Maxwell to Marcus Stoinis, Stoinis is up and running! Flatter and outside off, he drives it towards long off and gets to the other end.
Who's next? Stoinis or Hetmyer or will we see Sams for the first time in the League, with the bat? The Hulk, Marcus Stoinis, it is.
Glenn Maxwell to Rishabh Pant, ! CAUGHT! Pant holes out! Maxwell gets the big fish. Maxwell fires a fuller ball on middle, Pant jumps out of his crease and looks to launch it over long on but fails to time it. He does well to get under the delivery but ends up hitting it straight to Agarwal at long on. Pant didn't really get going and he wanted to take on the spinner in his last over. You got to credit the captain too, for the fact that he persisted with Maxwell.
Glenn Maxwell to Shikhar Dhawan, Short and around off, pulled down to deep mid-wicket for one.
Glenn Maxwell to Rishabh Pant, Flatter and on middle, Pant tucks it towards mid-wicket and gets to the other end.
Glenn Maxwell to Shikhar Dhawan, Full and on middle, Dhawan works it towards deep mid-wicket. He takes the first one quickly but has to settle with that only as the fielder from deep is quick to get to the ball.
DRINKS! Right, 7 overs to go, Pant and Dhawan in the middle. The latter is well set, 66 off 37 balls and we all know the destructive capability of Pant as well, especially after he had missed out on a few games due to injury. Needless to add that Stoinis, Hetmyer and Sams follow. Time for Delhi to now rocket big time without much worries. Will Dhawan get a second consecutive ton in the League though? Let's see.
Ravi Bishnoi to Rishabh Pant, Looks to slog it on the leg side this time but ends up getting an inside edge onto the pads. Two dots to end the over. 9 off it.
Ravi Bishnoi to Rishabh Pant, Pant gives the charge, Bishnoi shortens the length, Pant blocks it towards the cover fielder.
Ravi Bishnoi to Shikhar Dhawan, Short and outside off, pushed to sweeper cover for a single.
Ravi Bishnoi to Shikhar Dhawan, ! 100 up in style! Tossed up ball on middle, Dhawan sits down and nails the slog sweep over square leg for a biggie. Fine shot. 5,000 runs for Dhawan in the Indian T20 League.
Ravi Bishnoi to Rishabh Pant, Flatter and around middle, flicked down to long on for one.
Ravi Bishnoi to Shikhar Dhawan, An appeal for LBW but not entertained. Flatter ball on leg, Dhawan rocks back and looks to pull but misses. Gets hit on the thigh pad. It goes to the off side and they take a leg bye as Bishnoi appeals to no avail.
Glenn Maxwell to Rishabh Pant, Dot to end the over. After the dot on the last ball, Pant wants to take Maxwell on. He dances down and looks to launch it over long on but gets an inside edge on the pad. The ball lobs off his pads but lands short of the bowler.
Glenn Maxwell to Rishabh Pant, Flatter and around middle, Pant pushes it towards the left of the bowler. Maxwell quickly gets to the ball and keeps Pant on strike.
Glenn Maxwell to Shikhar Dhawan, Flatter and outside off, Dhawan turns it towards mid-wicket and gets to the other end.
Glenn Maxwell to Rishabh Pant, Very full and on middle, Pant digs it out towards mid-wicket for a run.
Glenn Maxwell to Shikhar Dhawan, Another single. These two are not showing any signs of urgency at the moment. Flatter and on middle, Dhawan flicks it through mid-wicket and gets to the other end.
Glenn Maxwell to Rishabh Pant, Short and on middle, Pant tucks it through square leg for a single.
Ravi Bishnoi to Rishabh Pant, Single to end the over. On the last ball, Pant advances, Bishnoi shortens the length. Pant pushes it down to long on for a single. 7 off Bishnoi's first.
Ravi Bishnoi to Shikhar Dhawan, Shortish and on middle, Dhawan flicks it towards deep mid-wicket for an easy run.
Ravi Bishnoi to Rishabh Pant, Short and just outside off, cut to deep point for a single.
Ravi Bishnoi to Rishabh Pant, Flatter and around off, Pant first wanted to work it on the leg side but it keeps a touch low so he manges to block.
Ravi Bishnoi to Rishabh Pant, On middle, pushed back to the bowler.
Ravi Bishnoi is into the attack for the first time.
Ravi Bishnoi to Rishabh Pant, ! Slammed! Poor start from Bishnoi. Short and wide outside off, Pant slams it to the left of the cover fielder. He is late in moving to that side and the ball races away to the fence in the deep.
Glenn Maxwell to Rishabh Pant, A single to end. Flatter ball on middle and off, clipped to short mid-wicket for a run.
Glenn Maxwell to Shikhar Dhawan, On middle and leg, tapped to the leg side for one.
Glenn Maxwell to Shikhar Dhawan, ! Beautifully played. Flatter ball down the leg side, Dhawan helps it on its way by tapping it gently to the right of Rahul to the fine leg fence.
Glenn Maxwell to Rishabh Pant, Full, around middle and leg, tucked towards long on for a run.
Glenn Maxwell to Shikhar Dhawan, Around off, Dhawan smashes it back hard, past the bowler, towards long off. A single.
Glenn Maxwell to Rishabh Pant, On middle, clipped on the leg side for a single.
Murugan Ashwin to Rishabh Pant, Pant is off the mark. Taps this towards long on and takes a single. End of successful over from Murgan.
Murugan Ashwin to Rishabh Pant, Floated on the stumps, driven to the right of the bowler. Ashwin runs in and cuts it off.
Murugan Ashwin to Rishabh Pant, Full on middle, tucked to the leg side.
Rishabh Pant is the new man in.
Murugan Ashwin to Shreyas Iyer, ! CAUGHT! Shreyas Iyer, dangerous Iyer, goes for 14. The plot has worked for Punjab. Flatter ball down the leg side, Iyer looks to help it down to fine leg but gets a fine edge. Rahul, the keeper, anticipates well and moves to his left well ahead and takes the catch. Punjab appeal for a caught behind and the umpire concurs. Would have been a wide had Iyer decided not to flirt with that.
Murugan Ashwin to Shikhar Dhawan, This is driven towards long off for a run. 50 comes up for Dhawan. Continuing the fine touch.
Murugan Ashwin to Shikhar Dhawan, ! Taken on the full and into the gap. Full toss on off, Dhawan gets down and sweeps it forcefully in front of square leg for a boundary.
James Neesham to Shikhar Dhawan, A single to finish. Full, around off, driven to long off for one.
James Neesham to Shikhar Dhawan, ! Call was for two but they get more than that. On the pads, Dhawan tickles it towards the fine leg boundary. The man at fine leg cannot cut it away. A boundary results.
James Neesham to Shikhar Dhawan, On the pads, flicked to deep square leg for a couple.
James Neesham to Shreyas Iyer, Full ball around off, Iyer looks to defend but it comes off the outside edge. Keeps low, goes on a bounce to the right of Rahul. Rahul dives but cannot stop that. It goes off his mitts towards third man for a single.
James Neesham to Shikhar Dhawan, Dhawan makes room, Neesham follows him. Dhawan manages to force it through cover for one.
James Neesham is back in. 1-0-7-1 for him, got the wicket of Prithvi Shaw in his first.ÂÂ
James Neesham to Shreyas Iyer, Fuller and on middle, flicked to deep square leg for a single.
DRINKS! A good start for Delhi here, they lost Shaw cheaply but he has been in a poor run of form off late. But that has not hampered the shot playing ability of Dhawan and Iyer. Both are taking the singles and stroking at calculated free will as well. They have a good batting depth with Pant, Stoinis, Hetmyer and even Sams to follow. Would want to continue the same momentum for a while before going big real time.
Murugan Ashwin to Shreyas Iyer, One more run! 5 singles, a tidy over from Murugan. Flatter and on middle, keeps a touch low. Iyer flicks it towards mid-wicket and keeps the strike for the next over.
Murugan Ashwin to Shikhar Dhawan, Tossed up and outside off, Dhawan jumps out of his crease and lifts it over extra cover for a run.
Murugan Ashwin to Shreyas Iyer, Short and wide outside off, cut towards deep point for a single.
Murugan Ashwin to Shreyas Iyer, Flatter and around off, quicker too. Iyer pushes it towards the cover fielder.
Murugan Ashwin to Shikhar Dhawan, Shortish and just outside off, forced to sweeper cover for a run.
Murugan Ashwin to Shreyas Iyer, Flatter and around middle, Iyer flicks it trough mid-wicket for a single.
Murugan Ashwin, the leggie, into the attack now.
Arshdeep Singh to Shreyas Iyer, Single to end the over. 9 off it. Good length ball around off, Iyer pushes it towards point and goes for a run. Top Powerplay for Delhi.
Arshdeep Singh to Shikhar Dhawan, One more single! Low full toss on middle, Dhawan strokes it towards long on and gets to the other end.
Arshdeep Singh to Shreyas Iyer, Length ball on middle, Iyer flicks it towards square leg and gets to the other end.
Arshdeep Singh to Shikhar Dhawan, Short and wide outside off, cut through cover-point for one. 50 up for Delhi.
Arshdeep Singh to Shikhar Dhawan, ! Nicely done! Didn't go for the power but timing and placement. Short ball on middle, Dhawan swivels and help pulls it over square leg and once again the ball races away to the boundary. Runs coming thick and fast for Dhawan. He moves to 33 off 18 balls.
Arshdeep Singh is back in the attack.
Arshdeep Singh to Shreyas Iyer, Quick single this time. Length ball around off, Iyer taps it towards the off side onto the pitch and calls for a run. Dhawan responds and they complete the single easily.
Mohammed Shami to Shikhar Dhawan, Dot to end the over, another good one for Delhi. Good length and around off, Dhawan dabs it onto the pitch on the off side and thinks for the run. Shami is quick to the ball so they decide against it.
Mohammed Shami to Shikhar Dhawan, ! Third boundary in the over! Yes, Dhawan is certainly in mood. A length ball down the leg side. Dhawan walks across the off pole a touch and then pulls it over short fine leg and the ball races away to the fence. Dhawan's 5th boundary already.
Mohammed Shami to Shikhar Dhawan, ! SHOT! Full and outside off, in the slot for the southpaw. He lifts it over mid off and finds the fence.
Mohammed Shami to Shikhar Dhawan, Inside edge this time and it wasn't far from the stumps. Shortish and outside off, Dhawan looks to punch but gets an inside edge that goes past his sticks towards short fine leg.
Mohammed Shami to Shikhar Dhawan, EDGY ! Luck going with Dhawan. A length ball outside off, Dhawan looks to cut but gets a thick outside edge. It flies over the empty slip cordon and goes to the third man fence.
James Neesham to Shreyas Iyer, ! The skipper is off the mark in style! Shortish and wide outside off, pretty similar to the ball that helped Neesham get Shaw's wicket. However, this time it is skipper Iyer on strike. He smokes it over extra cover and clears the fence easily. Still a very good over from Neesham.
Mohammed Shami to Shikhar Dhawan, Shortish ball around off, punched towards cover-point for nothing.
Mohammed Shami is back in the attack. Just the 3 runs from his first over.
James Neesham to Shreyas Iyer, Another length delivery around middle, it is pushed back to the bowler.
James Neesham to Shikhar Dhawan, Good length ball around off, pushed towards point for a quick run.
James Neesham to Shikhar Dhawan, Full and wide outside off, Dhawan finds the cover fielder to his drive.
Shreyas Iyer, Delhi's skipper, walks out to bat at No. 3.
James Neesham to Prithvi Shaw, ! CAUGHT! Shaw's poor run continues. Number of his shots went in the air but dropped short but this one went little too high and Maxwell had enough time to settle under it and pouch it. Short and wide outside off, Shaw looks to launch it over extra cover but gets it off the toe end. It goes high in the air towards extra cover. Maxwell settles under it and takes the skier easily.
James Neesham, who is in for Chris Jordan today, to bowl now.
James Neesham to Prithvi Shaw, Full toss but Shaw finds the fielder again. He hasn't looked at his best so far. A full toss on middle, we normally term it as a gift from the bowler. Shaw though doesn't want it as he flicks it towards the mid-wicket fielder.
Arshdeep Singh to Shikhar Dhawan, Good length ball around off, pushed back to the bowler.
Arshdeep Singh to Shikhar Dhawan, ! Dhawan is in mood, again! He is continuing from where he had left last time. A length ball outside off, Dhawan comes down the track and lifts it over extra cover for a boundary. 2nd boundary in the over.
Arshdeep Singh to Prithvi Shaw, Another short one, this time Shaw pulls it but doesn't time it as well as he would've liked. That helps though as a bit of better timing and he would've found the fielder at deep square leg. Just the single.
Arshdeep Singh to Prithvi Shaw, ! First boundary for Shaw. Not from the middle of the bat but he will take it. Arshdeep bangs it short and bowls it on middle, Shaw goes for the pull but gets it off the gloves. It flies over the keeper and into the fine leg fence.
Arshdeep Singh to Prithvi Shaw, Just outside off on a good length, Shaw pushes it towards the cover fielder.
Here is Arshdeep Singh now, to bowl the third over.
Arshdeep Singh to Prithvi Shaw, That is a solid stroke but Shaw will get nothing. A length ball around middle, Shaw punches it nicely but finds mid on.
Mohammed Shami to Shikhar Dhawan, Yes! Top over from Shami. Just 3 off the over. The last ball is full and on middle, Dhawan flicks it nicely but straight to the mid on fielder.
Mohammed Shami to Shikhar Dhawan, Short and outside off, Dhawan finds the cover-point fielder. Good first over from Shami so far. Can he finish it well?
Mohammed Shami to Prithvi Shaw, EDGY! Good length ball on middle, Shaw looks to flick but the ball takes a thick outside edge and goes uppishly towards third man. It goes to the fielder on one bounce. A single.
Mohammed Shami to Prithvi Shaw, WIDE! Second extra of the over. A length ball down the leg side. Shaw lets it be. Wided by the umpire.
Mohammed Shami to Prithvi Shaw, Three dots! Short and outside off, Shaw forces it straight to the point fielder. It was a bit uppish but went on the bounce to Pooran there.
Mohammed Shami to Prithvi Shaw, Play and a miss! That's the way Shaw plays though. Shortish and outside off, Shaw looks to punch it on the up but the ball comes back in and goes below his bat to the keeper.
Mohammed Shami to Prithvi Shaw, Gets it correct this time and bowls it around off, Shaw blocks it towards point.
Who is it from the other end for Punjab then? It is Mohammed Shami.
Mohammed Shami to Prithvi Shaw, WIDE! Shami misses the line on the first ball. It is down the leg side. Shaw looks to flick but misses. Wided.
Glenn Maxwell to Shikhar Dhawan, Dot to end the over! 13 from the first one. The last ball is floated around off, Dhawan looks to drive but closes the bat face early. The ball goes to the bowler a bit uppishly but it falls short.
Glenn Maxwell to Shikhar Dhawan, ! BOOM! Signs of the man in form. Loopy ball outside off, Dhawan sits down, uses his long reach and slog sweeps it over deep mid-wicket for a biggie. First one of the game.
Glenn Maxwell to Shikhar Dhawan, Bowls a flat one around off, pushed towards the cover fielder.
Glenn Maxwell to Shikhar Dhawan, Tossed up and outside off, it is driven through mid off for a couple of runs.
Glenn Maxwell to Shikhar Dhawan, ! Poor effort from Pooran and Dhawan gets going with a boundary. Shortish and outside off, Dhawan cuts it off his back foot towards point. Pooran is the fielder who makes a mess of the simple chance and allows the ball to go to the fence.
Glenn Maxwell to Prithvi Shaw, Shaw and Delhi are underway! A flatter ball around middle to begin from Maxwell, Shaw goes back and tucks it through square leg for a run.
We are all set to begin at the 'Ring of Fire' then! The umpires stride out to the middle. KL Rahul shares the final words of wisdom to his players before they go and take their respective positions on the field. Following them to the middle are Delhi's openers, Shikhar Dhawan and Prithvi Shaw. The latter has not got going in the last 3 games and he would want to get going this time around. Glenn Maxwell to start with the ball for Punjab. Mid on and square leg are back. We are away then...
Shimron Hetmyer did not feature in the last couple of games due to injuries and other jigs carried out by Delhi to their team. Up for a chat, he says that he wants to do the right things in the preparations so that he can do well whenever he gets a chance to play. Adds that his fellow teammates from West Indies have helped him in developing his craft. States that the Delhi camp is in a really good mood not just because of their victories but also because they bond well.ÂÂ
Punjab (Playing XI) - KL Rahul (WK/C), Mayank Agarwal, Chris Gayle, Nicholas Pooran, Glenn Maxwell, Deepak Hooda, James Neesham (IN PLACE OF CHRIS JORDAN), Murugan Ashwin, Mohammed Shami, Ravi Bishnoi, Arshdeep Singh.ÂÂ
Delhi (Playing XI) - Prithvi Shaw, Shikhar Dhawan, Shreyas Iyer (C), Rishabh Pant (IN PLACE OF AJINKYA RAHANE), Shimron Hetmyer (IN PLACE OF ALEX CAREY), Daniel Sams (IN PLACE OF ANRICH NORTJE), Marcus Stoinis, Axar Patel, Ravichandran Ashwin, Tushar Deshpande, Kagiso Rabada.
KL Rahul, Punjab's skipper, says that the effort and the hearts that the boys have shown so far, in the 9 games, is tremendous. States that they played really hard for two points in the last game. Adds that they need to continue playing hard in the coming games. On the changes, Rahul states that Chris Jordan misses out and Jimmy Neesham comes in.ÂÂ
Shreyas Iyer, Delhi's captain, says that there is no particular reason for batting first, the only thing being that they have experienced a lot of success doing so. States that Delhi had a dramatic encounter against Punjab the last time around. Adds further that Punjab come after a win from a tough last game and there is a need to respect that and not take them lightly. On the changes, Shreyas Iyer informs that Daniel Sams, Rishabh Pant and Shimron Hetmyer come in without elaborating on who miss
TOSS - The two captains are out in the middle, Shreyas Iyer and KL Rahul. Up goes the coin and it comes in Delhi's favour. THEY ELECT TO BAT!
Pitch Report - Simon Doull is in the middle for the Pitch Report. He says that the surface for this game is very green and grassy as compared to the barren surface on Sunday. Anjum Chopra is there as well. She states that win the toss and bowl first could be a possibility. Simon Doull says the same, reckons it is a bowl-first surface.
Punjab have opened a window for themselves after 2 back-to-back wins, against Bangalore and Mumbai. The plot to bring Gayle late in the season has been working good. Their batting continues to be strong while the spin department is exceptional. Death bowling is something they would have worked on before this game. How they fare there will be interesting to see.
Delhi, need we say anything? 14 points from 9 games, comfortably perched at the top. The two key things that would be in our minds is will Pant and Hetmyer make a comeback in this game? They should, going by all possible means. Delhi are belligerently strong across departments but know that they cannot beat a revivalist Punjab easily. The toss and team updates coming up shortly...
Back to Dubai we are after that rollercoaster of a ride from Match 36 between Punjab and Mumbai. 2 Super Overs in one game, who can forget that? Nobody, but since games in the League come thick and fast, we have to keep moving ahead. Rahul's men now take on Iyer's shortly at that very same ground where the former had won a hard-fought feast earlier.