IPL 2021 Match 11: Dhawan's 92 steers DC to a comfortable win

|| India Correspondent ||

The 11th Match between Delhi Capitals (DC) and Punjab Kings (PBKS) witnessed a run-fest where Delhi won by 6 wickets.

Delhi Capitals have won the toss and have opted to field first. Both teams made changes in their playing XI. While Steve Smith and Meriwala came in for Delhi, Jalaj Saxena came in for Punjab. Both openers KL Rahul and Mayank Agarwal started taking on the bowlers from the beginning.

However, Rahul was dropped by Smith at the backward point in the very second over and he utilised the chance quite well. Meanwhile, Mayank took the charge and his onslaught helped his side put up 59 runs in the powerplay.

Soon after, he brought up his fifty 25 balls. The next over witnessed three big sixes off Kagiso Rabada and they put up a 100-run stand as well. Just when Mayank was looking for more damage, Meriwala removed him for 69. And, later, Rahul too managed his fifty off 45 balls.

He fell for 61 but late cameos from Deepak Hooda (22*) and Shahrukh Khan (15) took them to 195 runs for 4 in 20 overs.

While chasing, both Prithvi Shaw and Shikhar Dhawan got off to a flying start, adding 57 runs in the first 5 overs. But just when Shaw looked to pace up things more, he got out for 32. While Dhawan scored another fifty, Steve Smith fell very cheaply for 9.

Meanwhile, Dhawan's onslaught continued as he took on Riley Meredith for three consecutive fours before getting bowled to Jhye Richardson for a blistering 92 off 49 with 13 fours and 2 sixes.