Dream11 IPL 2020. 38th Match
Knight XI Punjab (KXIP) VS Delhi Challengers (DC)
Played at DSC, Dubai on 20 October, 2020
Brief Scorecard:
KXIP 167/5 in 19 Overs (N Pooran 53, GJ Maxwell 32, CH Gayle 29, D Hooda 15*, Rabada 2/27) beat DC 164/5 (S. Dhawan 106*, Iyer 14, Pant 14, Shami 2/28) by 5 wickets
Player of the Match: Shikhar Dhawan.
KXIP was languishing at the bottom of the point’s table with only 2 points from 7 matches at the end of round one of IPL 2020.
Now with three back-to-back wins and two against table toppers DC and MI, KXIP is now in contention for a place among top four. Yesterday at DSC, Dubai brilliant unbeaten 106 by celebrated Indian opener Shikhar Dhawan (Second in consecutive matches) led table topper DC posting a competitive score of 164/5. KXIP batted deep and firm. Despite of losing inform Rahul (15) and Agarwall (5) as well as universal boss Gayle (29) a bit too early, Pooran (53) and finally Maxwell (32) comfortably won by 5 wickets scoring 167/5 by 19th over. Now with 8points from 10 matches KXIP is just behind the top pack of four. They can dream of a place into top league. DC however, still remains on the top with 14 points from 10 matches.
DC batting first was in a state of disarray. None but Shikhar Dhawan could at all set their bearings right. Shaw (7), Iyer (14), Pant (14), Stoinis (9) and Hetmeyer together scored only 58 playing 62 deliveries. Producing top quality unbeaten innings of 106 in 61 deliveries Dhawan kept DC in the contest. While playing strokes safely appeared hell lot of an issue for others Dhawan scored 12 fours and 3 sixes. Among the rest of them there were only two boundaries.
Sami bowled brilliantly yet again taking 2/28.
DC openers Rahul and Agarwall are in prolific form in this IPL. But yesterday they bowled failed. Universal boss started with a bang racing to 29 in only 13 deliveries striking 3 fours and 2 sixes. But Ashwin struck the vital blow cleaning out flamboyant Gayle before he could trigger major damage. In came Nicholas Pooran whom may feel to grow as proto of CHG. Pooran presented a dashing innings of 53 in 23 deliveries taking KXIP within striking range of a satisfying win. His effervescent innings contained 6 fours and three sixes. Finally, Aussie middle order batsman Maxwell (32) played an innings of some substance. D Hooda (15*) kept his cool to earn a very useful win against strong DC. KXIP finished at 167/5 in 19 overs. Winning momentum (KXIP won three matches in a row) lifted KXIP from the depth of despair (bottom of the points table) to just below table toppers. They now have a realistic possibility of making into top four.
DC and Dhawan must have felt hurt as the brilliant solo effort went undone. Rabada taking 2/27 was the peak of DC bowling.
BDST: 1133 HRS, OCT 21, 2020
SMS
