Delhi Capitals earned a 15-run victory over Punjab Kings in a high-scoring encounter that left the hosts on the brink of elimination from the tournament. Despite Liam Livingstone’s explosive innings of 94 off 48 balls, PBKS could not chase down the imposing target of 214 runs. Rilee Rossouw scored an unbeaten 82 off 37 balls, while Prithvi Shaw returned after a month-long hiatus to smash a half-century as Delhi scored 213/2 in their 20 overs. PBKS, in response, scored 198/8 despite Livingstone’s stunning knock. This loss puts PBKS in a tough spot for securing a place in the playoffs as they need to win their last match by a decent margin.
Delhi played the spoiler in this dramatic match with an excellent performance, surviving Livingstone’s onslaught and holding their nerve to secure the victory. The match was another thrilling spectacle, with both teams hitting plenty of boundaries and leaving the bowlers struggling.
Delhi scored their first 200-plus total of the season, thanks to Rossouw’s superb strokeplay and a solid return by Shaw. In response, PBKS struggled to keep up with the pace despite Livingstone’s heroics. They missed several chances and dropped catches, with as many as three opportunities missed off Livingstone alone. Delhi’s win was a consolation as they are out of the playoff race, but it was a well-deserved victory.
PBKS decided to retire Atharva Taide after his 55 off 42 balls, as he found it difficult to score runs in the later part of the innings. Livingstone kept the chase going, hitting his sixth fifty of the tournament and bringing the equation down to 38 from the last two overs. The Englishman then smashed three sixes off Mukesh Kumar in the next over, putting PBKS on course for a victory. However, Anrich Nortje bowled a perfect penultimate over, conceding just five runs and claiming the wicket of Sam Curran (11). PBKS lost another wicket when Harpreet Brar was run out. In the end, Livingstone’s valiant effort was in vain as the total proved too much for PBKS.
Delhi bowlers stifled PBKS’ chase early on, with Khaleel Ahmed starting with a maiden and Ishant Sharma claiming a wicket in his very first ball. Despite a few hiccups, Delhi put up a solid performance, with Warner and Shaw scoring a strong opening partnership of 94 runs, their highest this season. Rossouw took charge of the proceedings with his maiden IPL fifty that came off 25 balls, and he was ably supported by the rest of the team.
In summary, it was a thrilling match that saw Livingstone put up a brave fight, but Delhi’s overall performance saw them emerge victorious. PBKS now face an uphill struggle to secure a place in the playoffs.