"Decision To Bowl...": Shikhar Dhawan's Honest Assessment After Loss To DC

Following the 15-run loss to Delhi Capitals (DC), Punjab Kings (PBKS) skipper Shikhar Dhawan said that his decision to bowl a spinner in the final over backfired and his bowlers could not take wickets when the ball was moving around during the powerplay. Livingstone's breathtaking knock of 94(48) proved to be insufficient against DC in the Indian Premier League (IPL) match at the HPCA Stadium on Wednesday.

"It was frustrating, but I do not think we bowled well in the first six overs. We should have taken some wickets the way the ball was moving around. You always hope. After that no-ball, we hoped because Livi (Liam Livingstone) was playing a great knock. Even my decision to bowl a spinner last over backfired. And before that, the fast bowlers did not pitch the ball up in the powerplay. That was the plan but we did not execute. It is hurting us. In every powerplay, we are giving 50-60 runs and not taking wickets. We knew the first two-three overs it would swing, and we knew we could take our time. The first over also went maiden, which does not often happen, but it did happen," said Shikhar in a post-match presentation.

Put to bat first by PBKS, DC posted a massive 213/2 in their 20 overs. Openers David Warner (46 in 31 balls, with five fours and two sixes) and Prithvi Shaw (54 off 38 balls, with seven fours and a six) gave DC a fine start with a 94-run opening stand. Shaw also put on a 54-run stand with Rilee Rossouw, who made an unbeaten 82 in just 37 balls, consisting of six fours and six sixes. The South Africa batter also put on a 65-run stand with Phil Salt (26* in 14 balls, with two fours and two sixes).

Sam Curran (2/36 in four overs) was the only bowler to take wickets for PBKS.

In reply, PBKS lost skipper