IPL 2019: 26th Match, Kolkata Knight Riders vs Delhi Capitals – Match Review; It was Shikhar Dhawan who ensured Delhi Capitals coast to a comprehensive 7 wickets victory against the Kolkata Knight Riders in the 26th match of Vivo IPL 12. Chasing a target of 179, the experienced southpaw scored 97 of 63 deliveries to guide his franchise to a comfortable victory in the end.
The Turning Point of the Match
Undoubtedly the knock of Shikhar Dhawan proved to be the difference between the two sides. The southpaw took his time to start off. However, after the first over, he started taking on the KKR bowlers with disdain. He also played the waiting game to perfection in the middle overs and allowed Rishabh Pant to press on the accelerator. He looked well set for his maiden IPL century but Colin Ingram smashed a six off the penultimate over to keep Dhawan waiting for his maiden IPL ton. Dhawan’s match-winning knock of 97 was studded with 11 fours and a couple of sixes.
Kolkata Knight Riders vs Delhi Capitals- 2nd innings
Chasing a competitive target of 178, Delhi Capitals began on an impressive fashion. Prithvi Shaw looked in great touch and smashed Lockey Ferguson for a four and a six in his very first over. On the other hand, Shikhar Dhawan started off patiently in the first over of Prasidh Krishna. However, he came back strong in his next over as he smashed a four and six of the first two deliveries.
The bowler came back strongly to dismiss Prithvi Shaw in the penultimate delivery of the over. Despite his wicket, Shikhar Dhawan looked in ominous touch and tried to resurrect the innings with skipper Shreyas Iyer. However, after a couple of delightful shots, Iyer was dismissed down the leg side of a pretty ordinary delivery of Andre Russell.
Shikhar Dhawan was joined by Rishabh Pant in the crease and the duo almost sealed the match for the Delhi Capitals. Dhawan, the senior statesman just played a match-winning knock and stayed there at the crease till the end. His knock of 97 eventually helped Delhi Capitals coast to a victory with more than an over left.
Rishabh Pant also played some delightful shots en route to 46 of 31 deliveries but was yet again dismissed few runs short of the target. Meanwhile, Dhawan’s knock came in 63 deliveries and was studded with 11 fours and a couple of sixes.
Scoreboard
Kolkata Knight Riders vs Delhi Capitals- 1st innings
It was the Delhi Capitals skipper Shreyas Iyer who won the toss and put the hosts in. In the absence of Chris Lynn and Sunil Narine, it was Englishman Joe Denly who made his IPL debut. With him, it was Shubhman Gill who came to begin proceedings after not getting a chance in the top order in the earlier matches.
Joe Denly had a forgettable debut as he was castled by a peach of a delivery from Ishant Sharma in the very first delivery of the match. From there on it was a good partnership between Robin Uthappa and Shubhman which got KKR back into the match. The young 19-year-old played some delightful shots and looked at ease against the likes of Ishant Sharma, Kagiso Rabada and Chris Morris.
On the other hand, Robin Uthappa also played some delightful shots to share a 63 runs stand with Gill. He was dismissed by a quick delivery from Kagiso Rabada. Shubhman Gill, on the other hand, was unfazed and kept striking the ball perfectly. He completed his 2nd IPL half-century in 34 deliveries and looked all set for a big one.
Just as he started taking on the DC bowlers, he was dismissed by Keemo Paul. Yet again the much-needed impetus was provided by the big man from Jamaica. Andre Russell carried on his inhuman run in the tournament so far. He smashed 45 of 22 deliveries and was instrumental in getting KKR to a competitive score of 178 in their allotted 20 overs.
It was Chris Morris who dismissed the dangerous Russell which definitely got the total down by 10-15 runs. Carlos Brathwaite was also dismissed cheaply. Piyush Chawla played a couple of good shots as KKR reached 178.
Scoreboard:
