INDIA PREMIER LEAGUE 2020
Shikhar Dhawan became the first to score two consecutive centuries in the IPL © BCCI / IPL
Shikhar Dhawan was named Man of the Match despite the Delhi Capitals losing to a resurgent Kings XI Punjab. The southpaw is currently in good form having started the tournament slowly. He became the first player to score consecutive hundreds in the IPL and his 61-ball undefeated 106 was also his fourth marker of over fifty on the rebound. The coup was so fast-paced that although there were some notable contributions from the winning team, the adjudicators decided to go with the Delhi southpaw as the player of the game.
The 33-year-old, like his opponent on Tuesday, has found a new life and has become the top hitter in the Delhi Capitals lineup. Dhawan’s resurgence, however, has coincided with the decline in form of some of his teammates, but captain Shreyas Iyer was quick to dismiss the low scores of the rest as “unique.”
“I’m very happy with the way that Shikhar Dhawan has been, he’s really creating an incredible platform for us as a hitter,” Iyer said. “We should definitely know our roles quite well and it’s just a game. Other than that I feel like all the hitters are in a really good mood. Just a few games here and there, it can go wrong, it’s a long tournament, the Fatigue creeps in. But putting that aside, I think we need to focus on our strengths and really work on them, “he added.
Dhawan was off to a steady start to the tournament, but was unable to turn them into a significant score, coming out just as he was settling in. However, in the last four games he has carried his bat in three of them and has also improved his attack rate.
“Shikhar Dhawan, from the way he accelerated after the first few overs, his mentality has been excellent throughout. He just needs that fast start to keep him going. The way he planned his innings was really amazing to watch and we need these kinds of innings from him in every game, “Iyer said.
With Dhawan well established and having established the platform with some helpful partnerships, Delhi Capitals were looking for a score above 170, but Mohammad Shami made sure they didn’t cross that mark with some incisive deadly bowling. The Indian running back, who went 2 of 13 in his last two overs, has been a revelation for Kings XI Punjab, especially in the death. Not only did he match Bumrah yorker for yorker in the Super Over against the Mumbai Indians, but he also matched his partner from India on chosen grounds at death; both have 10 with Rabada leading the race with 13.
“We all know what Shami can do on any given day and he has been doing it for many years,” said KL Rahul. “I think what has been different this year in him is that he has shown much more clarity, he has raised his hand as a senior pitcher. It is important in the IPL that the internationals and the players who represent their country raise their hands and that does That the atmosphere of the team is much better and the young people can feed on that and obviously you start to win many more games.
“It’s great to see the way Shami has been bowling and touchwood, the ball comes out of his hand just as perfectly as ever. Hopefully he can get more ground for the team and keep playing like he does,” Rahul said elated.
The patron of the Kings XI Punjab had more reason to be happy, as the puzzle pieces are falling into place at the right time. Chris Gayle has added some much needed confidence to the team, Shami has been phenomenal, Nicholas Pooran has started to deliver and Glenn Maxwell found a bit of form too.
He has persisted with the Australian off-roader even though he hasn’t contributed much with the bat. And his position of 24 balls, 32 and 69 runs with Pooran was crucial to the victory against the Delhi Capitals.
“That’s very, very important to the team and also important to the individual,” Rahul said of Maxwell between races. “Obviously when eleven guys play, not everyone is going to have a good day on the field. It is important that the team supports the winners of the games and that we know what Maxwell can do. When he behaves well, he gives a lot of strength. to the team and balances it very well.
“He’s a great team man, he hits, bowls and plays the field really well. So having Maxi in shape is a very, very good sign. He also gets a little nervous. Every hitter loves to hit the ball. ball and spend a little bit Also a little time. He has played a lot of cricket for a long time, so he knew what he had to do and he was also very clear. I am very happy that it went well today, “said Rahul.
© Cricbuzz
