Player of the Match
Player of the Match

Pant's return game was fun. He didn't get a big score but looked happy and healthy, which has been the theme leading up to now. Hope that continues and that Ishant's fine. Updates will be in about that soon and you'll be able to check it out here. If Kings manage to get most from their resources, they'll have a good season. For now, the second game's started. KKR are struggling against SRH. Do follow that, and take care.

Sujit: "So Porel's innings ensures that Delhi don't take a big NRR hit. But they really need to spruce their bowling. I mean Khaleel and Marsh as front line bowlers is an invitation to the opposition to indulge themselves."

Sam Curran, POTM: Really pleased, didn't know how the ground would play. Amazing way to start. Nothing better than starting with a win at home. [Chat when Axar, Kuldeep were bowling] Those two are world-class bowlers and play a lot of cricket for India, thought we could take it deep with them being a bowler down. We were in a good position, and then to be with my great mate Liam, was pretty special. [Surviving the dropped chance] At that stage, you gotta take those risks, thankfully luck was on my side there. I knew after surviving it, one of us had to take it to the end Thought the wicket got better under lights, was a good pitch. Ground was big but the ball was travelling well, not much spin and ball was coming on nicely from the pacers. [Did you ask Dhawan for more overs] We got some great options, nice additions too, maybe it'll be different in Bangalore. Most importantly, we won.

Shikhar Dhawan, Kings captain: Feels great, happy to be on the ground. I've been preparing for this tournament, this is the first time I'm playing at this high a level since the last IPL. I was a bit nervous as well but yeah, came through. No chat in the innings break after the 25-run over because I was preparing to bat. Also, bowlers will be going through their own emotions. So I would rather give them space and chat after things calm down. I felt we leaked a few extra runs, of course extra nerves are there in the first match. It's normal. Felt the wicket got better under lights, we got a good start and Sam played an amazing innings. Livingstone finished it nicely. [Decision to bowl first] I didn't know the records here, it's a new ground. So didn't focus on it too much, we practiced during day and at night. Thought we'd let the other team use their brains first and then we'll assess it. It worked for us, so we're happy and content.

Machakaari : "DC didn't win the crucial moments. But for Kuldeep and Axar,Their bowling looks seriously weak. Fielding below par to say the least" I still can't get over Warner dropping a catch.

Rishabh Pant, DC captain: Ishant's injury was clearly evident because we were anyway one player short because we lagged with the batting a bit. Abhishek came in and chipped in with a few runs which were crucial. We were short on extra bowling. We actually pulled it back in the end [but couldn't complete the job], part and parcel of the game. [Batting] Personally I was pretty nervous but you have to go through this when you enter the field. This isn't the first time being nervous, but happy about that [return overall]. I think we had a par score but because we were one bowler short, because of an injury, can't do much about it. Wicket played as we expected to play, can't make excuses. We will learn from it but having one bowler short is never good. End of the day, well played to them [Kings] I guess. Porel's finish helped us finish on a high. It was an amazing innings, congrats to him. I think it's just his third or fourth game but the kind of impact he made was huge. Really looking forward [to seeing him] this season.

7:19pm It was a seesaw battle but Kings were often in front. For Capitals, Ishant twisting an ankle in the field was a big blow. Especially since it was in the sixth over. The bowlers, Marsh and Khaleel in particular, not coming good cost them. Curran, pushed up to No. 4, was spectacular. Bairstow and Dhawan gave Kings a decent start but fell quickly, so Curran held the innings together amid Kuldeep looking threatening as ever. Axar was trying his best to play a holding role. Sumit, who had to be brought in, was expensive. Curran and Livingstone used the short boundary to their advantage, especially when it was behind them and the bowlers went short. Capitals pulled it back a bit late in the innings, Khaleel got Curran but it wasn't enough with Livingstone and his clean hitting taking the hosts home, in their new home.

Afeef: "Last season Livingstone played one of his best T20 knocks against DC but PBKS failed to get over the line. I'm glad he could finish off this chase against DC today."

19.2
6
Sumit Kumar to Livingstone, SIX, Clean as a whistle, slugged over cow corner and Punjab Kings start their journey in Mullanpur with a win. Was a wide ball on a length. 119ks, Livingstone lunged and had ample time as the ball sat up to be clobbered across the line

Sandy: ""SUPERRRR-OVERRRR"?" Unlikely but who knows

19.1
0
Sumit Kumar to Livingstone, no run, Livingstone's missed out on the wide shortish ball, he's slapped the face off of it but finds cover
19.1
1w
Sumit Kumar to Livingstone, 1 wide, Another wide. Short one bounces well above head height
19.1
1w
Sumit Kumar to Livingstone, 1 wide, Wide and shortish, let go. Easy wide picked up

Run a ball needed, Livingstone on strike. Wicket will be huge. But with Ishant's absence, Sumit will have to bowl the final over

END OF OVER:
19 | 4 Runs 2 Wkts | PBKS: 169/6 (6 runs required from 6 balls, RR: 8.89, RRR: 6.00)

  • Harpreet Brar2 (2b)
  • Liam Livingstone32 (19b)
  • Khaleel Ahmed4-0-43-2
  • Mitchell Marsh4-0-52-0
18.6
2
Ahmed to Harpreet Brar, 2 runs, David Warner has dropped it at long-on! That's probably the unlikeliest event today as he has been a livewire in the field. He ran in and tried to cup the ball but it popped out. Was a shortish ball outside off, bounce too high and Harpreet clothed the pull

8 off 7. Effective free hit.

18.5
0
Ahmed to Harpreet Brar, no run, Beats bat. Shortish on fifth, Harpreet looked to have tried to upper cut it fine. Done for pace again

Harpreet in. Khaleel on a hat-trick!

18.4
W
Ahmed to Shashank Singh, OUT, Shashank has been bounced out first ball, Khaleel on a hat-trick. Pacy and at the armpit, the batter was done for pace and cramped for room as he tried to pull. Ball popped off the glove for Pant to take a dolly. Khaleel and Pant share a glance of understanding, this seems to be a plan coming off

Shashank Singh c †Pant b Ahmed 0 (1m 1b 0x4 0x6) SR: 0.00

Ansh: "In for some drama?"

18.3
W
Ahmed to Curran, OUT, Heaves across the line, Curran misses but not Khaleel. Offcutter on a length, lands outside off and comes back in. Curran was too early on the shot and it hit top of off. Preity Zinta applauds and is all smiles as Curran walks back

SM Curran b Ahmed 63 (72m 47b 6x4 1x6) SR: 134.04

18.2
1
Ahmed to Livingstone, 1 run, Wide and full, good from Khaleel to keep it out the arc, Livingstone tries smearing it but can only inside edge it to long-on
18.1
1
Ahmed to Curran, 1 run, Full at the stumps, helps it to deep fine leg with a flick

END OF OVER:
18 | 18 Runs | PBKS: 165/4 (10 runs required from 12 balls, RR: 9.16, RRR: 5.00)

  • Liam Livingstone31 (18b)
  • Sam Curran62 (45b)
  • Mitchell Marsh4-0-52-0
  • Khaleel Ahmed3-0-39-0

Brendan: "Well bowled Mitch " lol

17.6
6
Marsh to Livingstone, SIX, Marsh's short ball is hooked over fine leg again, by the right-hander this time and the asking rate is now 5. The short boundaries were behind, so Marsh's ploy of digging it into the pitch at a manageable pace, was shaky. Livingstone didn't have to much as he was readily inside the line, lifted it with precision. Both players exchange a smile

16 off 13, boundary or more will push it firmly in Kings' favour. Marsh goes over the wicket

17.5
1
Marsh to Curran, 1 run, Wide and shortish, bottom-edged cut takes it to mid-off
17.4
0
Marsh to Curran, no run, Full at the stumps, worked to the bowler's left. Stopped in follow-through

Around

17.3
4
Marsh to Curran, FOUR, Curran is sliding along the crease to put Marsh off his line. Got one on a back of length this time, fourth stump but he'd opened up enough to get room for the cut through backward point
17.2
6
Marsh to Curran, SIX, Pick-up hook over the short boundary at deep fine leg! Shortish ball, around head-height but it's not pacy. Curran got his head to the offside to get well inside the line and help it along
17.1
1
Marsh to Livingstone, 1 run, Into the pitch, outside off. Liam tries flat-batting but top edges it over the bowler

Can Marsh make amends after a poor last over?

END OF OVER:
17 | 11 Runs | PBKS: 147/4 (28 runs required from 18 balls, RR: 8.64, RRR: 9.33)

  • Liam Livingstone24 (16b)
  • Sam Curran51 (41b)
  • Khaleel Ahmed3-0-39-0
  • Axar Patel4-0-25-0

Krithika : "Horrendous bowling from Khaleel. Batters need not take any risks against him.as he keeps bowling the boundary balls" Not been his day, has it?

16.6
1
Ahmed to Livingstone, 1 run, Wide and full, flapped to long-off
16.5
4
Ahmed to Livingstone, FOUR, Livngstone is chuffed after helping it fine. Length on the pads, he tried to pick it up with a heave, might've gotten it off the bottom but it raced away

Jugilee : "Khaleel has to bowl out of his skin to swing this match DC's way. He concedes lots of 4s and 6s " That didn't help

16.4
4
Ahmed to Livingstone, FOUR, And gets a lucky four straight of short third. Pant flew to the right but was too wide for him too. Offcutter around yorker length outside off, Livingstone tried to flap it over cover

Kaut: "No seasoned finisher for PBKS might just make a big difference in the end" Livingstone's still in

16.3
1
Ahmed to Curran, 1 run, Whippage. Along the ground to the left of deep midwicket. Very full at 125ks, at the stumps
16.2
0
Ahmed to Curran, no run, Curran makes room and almost gets knocked over. Tried to steer the length on middle with a fully open face and bottom edged it into the pitch
16.1
1
Ahmed to Livingstone, 1 run, Wide and shortish, 122ks, cut hard to deep point

Floodlights have taken full effect. 39 off 24 needed. Big hitters in at the crease. It's Kings' game to lose, can Capitals strike back? Khaleel back

PBKS 2nd innings Partnerships

WktRunsPlayers
1st34S DhawanJM Bairstow
2nd8JM BairstowPrabhsimran Singh
3rd42SM CurranPrabhsimran Singh
4th16SM CurranJM Sharma
5th67LS LivingstoneSM Curran
6th0Shashank SinghLS Livingstone
7th10LS LivingstoneHarpreet Brar

Indian Premier League

TeamMWLPTNRR
KKR1493201.428
SRH1485170.414
RR1485170.273
RCB1477140.459
CSK1477140.392
DC147714-0.377
LSG147714-0.667
GT145712-1.063
PBKS145910-0.353
MI144108-0.318