IPL 2021 | PBKS vs DC: What Experts said as Mayank Agarwal's brilliance goes in vain

It was a thoroughly convincing all-round performance from the Delhi Capitals as they thrashed the Punjab Kings by 7 wickets in the 29th match of the competition to go atop the points table having acquired 12 points from 8 encounters. Riding on a good bowling show and breezy knocks from Shikhar Dhawan and Prithvi Shaw, the Capitals chased the target down with 14 deliveries to spare.  

Punjab Kings needed early wickets to defend the score of 166. However, that wasn’t to be as Prithvi Shaw again got them off to a brisk start. The stylish right-handed batsman played some delightful shots en route to 39 of 24 deliveries which included three fours and three sixes. It was strokeplay of the highest order as Prithvi and Dhawan shared 63 runs stand in just over 6 overs. 

It was Harpreet Brar who undid Prithvi Shaw with a terrific delivery turning away from him. Punjab Kings would have hoped that this was the beginning of a downfall but that wasn’t to be. Shikhar Dhawan took the onus on himself and shared a 48 runs stand with Steve Smith which got DC closer to the victory target. 

Dhawan struck some exceptional shots and went onto acclaim the Orange Cap yet again en route to yet another well-deserved half-century. The southpaw remained unbeaten on 69 of 47 deliveries and made sure that he took his side over the finishing line. Rishabh Pant also struck some lusty blows before departing but by then, DC was sensing victory. Eventually, Shimron Hetmyer smashed some big blows and remained unbeaten on 16 of a mere 4 deliveries to seal the match for the Capitals. 

Earlier in the day, it was Pant who won the toss and put Punjab in. Prabhsimran Singh and Mayank Agarwal came out to open the innings. Mayank replaced Rahul in the XI and also led the side in his absence. The opening partnership was brought to an end pretty early after Simran Singh smashed a six of Ishant Sharma. 

Chris Gayle looked in good touch but was dismissed by a full toss shaping away from Gayle. He was beaten for pace and movement and the stumps went for a cartwheel. Mayank Agarwal didnt face enough deliveries in the first twelve overs as wickets kept falling at the other end. 

Dawid Malan shared a good stand with Mayank but the former found it difficult to get going. He struggled his way to a run ball 26. Mayank Agarwal after spending a considerable amount of time in the middle suddenly went berserk in the last few overs. He took the DC bowlers by the scruff of their neck and belted them all around the Narendra Modi Stadium. He smashed 23 runs in the final over including a couple of fours and sixes in the last three deliveries falling just a run short of a well-deserved century. Despite his individual brilliance, the score didn’t prove to be enough as Punjab suffered their 5th loss of the season. 

Captain’s Viewpoints 

Delhi Capitals skipper Rishabh Pant showered his praises on the whole for their all-round brilliance. Pant felt that with Dhawan and Prithvi Shaw getting them off to flying starts in most of the matches, DC looks in good stead. 

“I think Shikhy bhai and Prithvi gave us a very good start, that's why the innings looked much better. The first innings it was really gripping. The way they started was commendable. It feels so good when you have a great start each and every match with a mixture of youth and experience,” Pant said. 

He further explained that most of the things inside the team seem very sorted and that is the reason they are at the top of the points table with six victories. Leading a team loaded with experienced players, Pant is utilising the opportunities of getting help from the senior campaigners. He also lauded the bowling unit of DC who has been simply phenomenal in the tournament so far. 

“You can see that everyone is doing so well around them. Most things are sorted out but we need to try out a few options for the Kolkata matches. The competition in the team is very good. When you see, there is a lot of gun bowling that we have. I'm enjoying every day, using my experience, using the seniors around me. We are trying to make an environment where everyone feels good,” Dhawan said. 

Having led the Punjab Kings in the absence of KL Rahul, Mayank Agarwal gave an update on his injury and hoped that he will be back soon fit and fine. Despite a sensational knock Punjab Kings had to go down. Mayank said that he would have easily traded a win for a lesser score. However, there was no denying the fact that he was completely superb to get his side to a competitive total in the end. 

“KL Rahul is going for a surgery and hopefully he should be back. Would've liked two points but I guess we were about 10 short on that wicket. And the kind of powerplay they had we really had to scrap and fight. One batsman has to bat through, that was my plan. It was my day, I took that responsibility,” Agarwal said at the post-match presentation ceremony. 

Punjab Kings didn’t get enough runs in the death overs and Mayank rued the fact stating that he would have cherished two points more than the 99. He also lauded Harpreet Brar wh0 followed his match-winning spell against RCB with a wicket of his first delivery. 

“Unfortunately we didn't get too many in the middle overs, even though we finished well. Would have loved two points more than anything else. But it is what it is. We have to shut this off, turn up next game and do better. Managing the ups and downs is what captaincy's all about. Kudos to Harpreet who showed up for us today and last game as well, he also hit a crucial boundary. We need to keep at it and click as a team,” Rahul said. 

Experts Opinion 

Voice of Cricket, Harsha Bhogle hailed Mayank Agarwal earlier in the day after his special knock of an unbeaten 99. He looked in sensational touch and Bhogle said that in the context of the game the 99 was much more than a century. He also lauded Shikhar Dhawan for his match-winning knock. Remaining unbeaten on 69 of 47 deliveries, Dhawan delivered the killer punch for his franchise. 

Renowned journalist Ayaz Menon rued the fact that despite the brilliance of Mayank Agarwal, Punjab Kings had to end on the losing side. Following the completion of his knock, Menon had lauded him for taking his side to a competitive score. 

Senior Executive Director of Aaj Tak Vikrant Gupta criticised Punjab Kings’s decision to open with Prabhsimran Singh despite having the No 1 T20I batsman in the world Dawid Malan in their ranks.