This was Delhi Capitals' second win of their campaign, while Punjab Kings lost back-to-back games.
In the clash between Punjab Kings (PBKS) and Delhi Capitals (DC) in Mumbai, Shikhar Dhawan made batting look easy as he continued his smashing form in the 14th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) with a 92-run innings taking his side home.
Dhawan, after a low score in his last outing against Rajasthan Royals (RR), came all guns blazing against Punjab and was back to his striking form. The dashing Prithvi Shaw along with him helped Delhi get off to a flier.
Dhawan was unstoppable. He looked like he was on the way to his third century in the IPL before he decided to hit the ball towards fine leg by walking in front of the sticks and was bowled by Jhye Richardson for a well-compiled knock of 92 runs off just 49 balls, including nine fours and two sixes.
Following that, it was just a formality as finishers Marcus Stoinis and Lalit Yadav were in a hurry to win the game for the team and Delhi Capitals romped to home in just 18.2 overs.
This was Delhi Capitals' second win of their campaign, while Punjab lost back-to-back games. After the loss, many complained about KL Rahul's captaincy.
Here's what critics and cricket fans had to say.
1. Aakash Chopra criticizes KL Rahul’s knock
)
Batting first, Punjab’s opening batsman Mayank Agarwal launched an assault on the opposition batters as he played a blistering knock of 69 runs off just 36 deliveries.
Mayank along with skipper KL Rahul stitched a crucial partnership of 122 runs in 12.4 overs. However, Mayank’s wicket in the 13th over put a temporary halt on the flow of the runs.
Rahul was expected to lead from the front, however, the skipper failed to accelerate and lost his wicket in the 16th over after playing a knock of 61 runs off 51 deliveries. Towards the end, Deepak Hooda and Shahrukh Khan played quickfire-cameos as they scored 22 off 13 and 15 off 5.
"When Mayank Agarwal got out, KL Rahul was required to accelerate a little, something he did in the first match. He had missed out on a century, but the acceleration was there. Here also the expectation was that he would hit. He did not do that, and when he looks back, he will regret a little because the finish was not strong," said Chopra in a video uploaded on his YouTube Channel.
"Chris Gayle was also dismissed after that. You wanted to score 60-70 runs in the last five overs. You didn't score those many, and because of that, you didn't reach around 220, where you should have probably reached," added Aakash Chopra.
2. Ashish Nehra slams KL Rahul's captaincy
)
Former Indian pacer Ashish Nehra stated that every cricketer would like to bat, bowl and field well, and having a good day or a bad day on the field is common in sport.
"See, there are a few things which every player wants to do in this format. You like to bowl well, bat well, field brilliantly. You have good or bad days, it's a common thing in this game. But there are certain things which are in your control, at least that you can do. You didn't give early overs to your most expensive overseas bowlers.
"Riley Meredith came after 10 overs and picked the wicket of Steve Smith in his first over. Even Mohammed Shami bowled four overs in four different spells. You preferred Arshdeep to begin with. So, where will you control the game from – frontend or the backend?" Nehra said in a chat with Cricbuzz.
"PBKS messed up their bowling plans. They played four different bowlers to start with. Such things are mostly done by those sides who lack resources. So, I think, that's the biggest mistake they committed," concluded Nehra.
3. Is KL Rahul becoming conservative?
)
KL Rahul had won the Orange Cap amassing 670 runs last season but his strike rate of 129.34 wasn't good. His team also couldn't make it to the playoffs.
The 29-year-old did manage to shut down critics in the opening game against Rajasthan Royals (RR) after smashing 91 off 50 deliveries. But against Delhi, Rahul played second fiddle when his partner Mayank Agarwal was smashing it all around.
Looking at the way Shikhar Dhawan batted and the way the Capitals chased down the target, fans felt KL Rahul should've played aggressively.
Fans started demanding to have Dhawan in India's T20 World Cup squad as an opener instead of Rahul.
4. Twitter reacts to KL Rahul's batting
)
And people compare Rahul with Dhawan
— Deepanshu (@Deeputhedynamic) April 19, 2021
Dhawan>>>Rahul
— Deepak Shastri (@fearless_adian) April 18, 2021
In T20 World Cup...
As a opener
KL rahul trying his best to make his case as opener in indian team very difficult while Dhawan is playing with utmost freedom & high strike rate as he grows older... It's now upto KL in upcoming matches to make his case strong or else he will definitely be replaced by dhawan
— jay rawat (@Jay_rawat99) April 19, 2021
5. 'KL Rahul shall loss his place to Dhawan for coming T20 World Cup'
)
Even when Dhawan has consistently well, he is always pressurised to do well. He does not get backed by the team management the way KL Rahul gets. If Dhawan gets the same backing, he will surely replicate this performance in T20I also. Just need to back him up a little
— KESHAV (@keshavk789) April 19, 2021
At this rate, KL Rahul shall loss his place to Dhawan for coming T20 world cup#IPL2021
— Sandeep kollolath (@Sandeepkollolat) April 18, 2021
Given the way rahul is playing, it'll be difficult for india to open with both rahul n rohit in T20 WC. As both are more or less similar kind. India might need likes of Dhawan/Mayank to open with Rohit.. what say ? @bhogleharsha @cricbuzz
— Escapist (@Escapis55671773) April 19, 2021
