IPL 2023: Our fast bowlers didn’t bowl according to plan – Shikhar Dhawan after 15-run loss against Delhi Capitals

Punjab Kings skipper Shikhar Dhawan admitted his fast bowlers didn’t bowl according to plans after their 15-run loss against Delhi Capitals at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium, Dharamsala on Wednesday. Dhawan feels his pacers didn’t pitch the ball up in the powerplay overs and they could not execute their plans.

After two quiet overs, Delhi Capitals openers – David Warner and Prithvi Shaw picked up pace in the second half of the powerplay overs and scored 61 runs in the first six.

With this loss, PBKS’ hopes of qualifying for the playoffs suffered a huge dent. In fact, barring Sam Curran and Rahul Chahar, all the PBKS bowlers conceded their runs at more than 10 runs/over as they could not hit the right areas.

Meanwhile, Prithvi Shaw got back into form for DC as he scored a decent knock of 54 runs whereas Rilee Rossouw was able to get going from the word go, getting to his half-century in only 25 balls. The South African scored a blistering knock of 82 runs off just 37 balls with the help of six fours and as many sixes.

On the other hand, PBKS lost the early wicket of Shikhar Dhawan and could only manage 11 runs in the first 3.3 overs. Liam Livingstone went on to score a whirlwind knock of 94 runs off 48 balls to give a glimmer of hope to PBKS but the hosts were always behind the required run rate.

Shikhar Dhawan said in the post-match presentation, “It was frustrating. We didn’t bowl really well in the first six wickets, we should have taken some wickets the way it was swinging. It’s quite a close game, but can’t help it. There was hope after that no ball, Livi played a great knock, unfortunately, we couldn’t end up on the other side.”

Furthermore, Dhawan gave the final over to Harpreet Brar, who conceded 23 runs and the PBKS captain admitted his decision to give the last over to the spinner, backfired.

He added, “I feel my decision to bowl spin-off the last over backfired. The momentum also went there. Before that, my fast bowlers got hit for 18-20 runs. Those two overs cost us the game. Our bowlers didn’t pitch the ball up in the powerplay. That was the plan and unfortunately, they couldn’t execute.”

Punjab Kings will play their last league stage match against Rajasthan Royals at the same venue of Dharamsala on Friday.