'They Couldn't Deliver...,' Shikhar Dhawan Blames PBKS' Bowlers For Defeat Against MI

Punjab Kings lost to Mumbai Indians by six wickets (Source: iplt20.com)

Punjab Kings (PBKS) skipper Shikhar Dhawan lamented his side's below-par bowling performance as Mumbai Indians (MI) won the 46th match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 by six wickets.

Despite setting a total of 214 runs on a batting-friendly wicket at Mohali, the Kings got blown away by the might of Suryakumar Yadav and Ishan Kishan in the second half as the duo's half-centuries put Mumbai in the driver's seat.

Although Suryakumar and Kishan could not finish the game, Tilak Varma and Tim David got them over the line with their respective cameos.

Reflecting on the loss, Dhawan said that Rishi Dhawan and Nathan Ellis did their job but other bowlers did not support them well.

"We started out well and thought it was a good total but unfortunately we couldn't defend it. Rishi bowled really well but from the other end we gave away quite a lot. We should have bowled more tight lines and could have been more proactive," 

Further as well, he talked about how their bowling unit underperformed.

"Ishan and Surya took the game away from us. We felt that its a very good wicket so change of pace will work a lot and that's where I feel Nathan bowled really well. His change of pace was good but the other bowlers didn't step up today.

"There was dew on the field and the wicket got better. If the spinners get hit then its hard to contain runs and I backed my main bowlers as well. I expect them to deliver and unfortunately today they couldn't deliver."

Dropping down to seventh on the points table with five wins in 10 matches, Punjab Kings will next face Kolkata Knight Riders in an away fixture on May 8.

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