DC vs PBKS Ball by Ball Commentary

6:07 PM IST Right then. That is all we have from this game. Delhi were very dominant and have got the better of Punjab here. The action in the Indian T20 League continues as on Monday, 19th April 2021, we will see the clash between Chennai and Rajasthan at 1930 local (1400 GMT). We hope to have your company for that game. Until then, cheers and take care!

6:06 PM IST SHIKHAR DHAWAN IS THE PLAYER OF THE MATCH! He says that it was a conscious effort to increase his strike rate and he started taking more risks as well. Feels that he is not afraid of changes and he is open to them and he keeps trying and he is not afraid to get out as well. States that he has worked on playing strokes through the leg side and it also depends on who is bowling and what plan he has against them. Opines that he is more relaxed at the crease and he is also very attentive. On opening with Shaw, he feels that it is great and he made a huge impact for the team, in the Powerplay.

6:06 PM IST Rishabh Pant, the Delhi skipper, says that he is happy with the victory. Adds that Punjab got off to a strong start but their bowlers did well to restrict them to 195. Mentions that Dhawan was solid with his batting today. Further says that he likes to keep the environment light so that the players can relax and focus on their methods and processes.

5:59 PM IST KL Rahul, the Punjab skipper, says that he could not get a birthday gift but he is okay as there are many games left in the tournament. Adds that 195 was a good total on the board. Mentions that there was dew in the second innings and it made it tough for them. Credits Delhi for batting well.  Tells that he did ask the umpires to change the ball a couple of times as it was getting wet but adds since the rules do not allow it, the umpires didn't accept the request.

5:53 PM IST Earlier in the day, due to KL Rahul and Mayank Agarwal's exploits with the blade, Punjab ended up on a good total. They had some good lusty blows from Gayle, Hooda, Shahrukh towards the end, saw them finish at just around the 200-run mark. The bowling by Delhi was poor in the first half of the first innings, but they did come back nicely in the last 10 overs. In the end, their complete display, with bat and ball, sees them end on the winning side.

5:52 PM IST Marcus Stoinis is up for a chat. He says that he is happy with his performance. Adds that they thought Punjab will make 250 but the bowlers did well to keep them under 200. Mentions that Dhawan was terrific with his batting and it helps the team if he gives a good start. Further says that he was not required to bowl today and he is fine with that.

5:51 PM IST Another outing with the ball, where Punjab just seemed to be missing the zest, for them to defend this total. Shaw pushed them back first, and when he fell. Dhawan took over the task of punishing the bowlers and in the end, they just did not put a stop to the boundaries that Delhi were scoring. It was once again Arshdeep Singh, who was the pick of the lot, as in his 3 overs, he gave away just 22 runs and took a wicket to his name and bowled very nicely. Shami, Meredith, and Richardson had a tough outing and were not able to click.

5:46 PM IST Just like how the openers of Punjab provided a strong platform for them, the openers for Delhi, Dhawan, and Shaw set the platform with a strong, attacking start. Shaw fell after his quick burst and Smith followed him back too. Dhawan, though, was in a different mood as he kept smacking all the bowlers. Reached into the 90s and then lost his wicket, but by then, the game was already set for Delhi to win, and then, some good shots from Pant, Stoinis, and Yadav, towards the fag end of the innings, saw them go past the line easily.

5:46 PM IST A very comprehensive display by Delhi has seen them win this clash against Punjab, by 6 wickets. Even though the total was a big one, they batted brilliantly and have chased this total down, with 10 balls to spare.

5:43 PM IST FOUR! Stoinis finishes it in style! Short delivery on middle, Stoinis pulls it over mid-wicket for a boundary. DELHI WIN BY 6 WICKETS!

6:55 PM IST Short delivery on off, Lalit pulls it through mid-wicket for a single.

5:41 PM IST NO BALL AND FOUR! High full toss outside off, Yadav punches it through point for a boundary. Free Hit coming up!

5:40 PM IST Full outside off, Yadav pushes it towards covers for a single.

5:39 PM IST Full toss on middle, Lalit flicks it over fine leg but does not get the timing on it. It goes towards the fielder where Shami runs to his left to catch it but it falls short of him. Two runs taken.

5:38 PM IST FOUR! Excellent shot! Full and outside off, Yadav sweeps it through square leg for a boundary.

5:37 PM IST Full and outside off, Yadav looks to sweep but misses it.

5:36 PM IST Full delivery on off, Stoinis drives it through point for a single.

5:36 PM IST OUT! CAUGHT! Hooda does well to hold onto that catch! Slower short delivery on middle, Pant looks to smack it over long on but does not get the timing on it. It goes towards long on where Deepak Hooda tries to take it in the first attempt but the ball pops out, tries again, but the ball pops out again. This happens three or four times, before he finally holds on. The third umpire comes and confirms that this is a clean catch.

5:36 PM IST Lalit Yadav comes out now!

5:33 PM IST Full on middle, Pant flicks it through mid-wicket for a single. 20 runs from the over!

5:32 PM IST Full on off, Stoinis pushes it through mid off for a single.

5:32 PM IST FOUR! Shami is becoming expensive now! Length delivery on middle, Stoinis lofts it over the bowler's head for a boundary.

5:35 PM IST Is that a clean catch? Deepak Hooda feels that it is. Replays confirm the legality of the catch and Pant is out of here.

6:55 PM IST SIX! That is hammered! Short delivery on middle, Stoinis pulls it over long on for a maximum.

5:31 PM IST NO BALL! High full toss on off, Stoinis punches it uppishly towards point where Saxena takes the catch and claims it. The umpires get together to check for the catch and refer this to the third umpire upstairs and the third umpire confirms the same. Another no ball is called and a Free Hit is coming up!

5:30 PM IST The third umpire is called for now, to check the catch. First, they want to check if this was above the waist. As seen from the replays, you can see that the ball was above the waist and so, a no ball has been called. Another Free Hit coming up!

5:27 PM IST FOUR! Stoinis makes good use of the Free Hit! Full delivery on middle, Stoinis lofts it over mid on for a boundary.

5:26 PM IST NO BALL! Full delivery on middle, Pant drives it through mid on for a run. The third umpire calls it a no ball as Shami oversteps! Free Hit coming up!

5:26 PM IST Low full toss on middle, Stoinis drives it past the bowler where it hits the stumps at the other end. It goes towards the leg side. The batsmen take a single.

5:24 PM IST Full on middle, Stoinis flicks it through mid-wicket for a single. Delhi need 36 runs in 24 balls!

5:23 PM IST Back of a length on off, Stoinis punches it through point. Two runs taken.

5:22 PM IST Full on middle, Pant flicks it through mid-wicket for a run.

5:22 PM IST Back of a length on off, Stoinis pushes it through mid off for a single.

5:21 PM IST Full on off, Stoinis drives it through covers. The batsmen get two runs.

5:20 PM IST Short delivery on middle, Pant pulls it through square leg for a single.

5:20 PM IST Arshdeep Singh (2-0-14-1) comes back into the attack.

5:19 PM IST Full delivery on off, Stoinis pushes it to mid off.

1:01 PM IST OUT! TIMBER! The slower one does the trick for Punjab and Dhawan, who has played an amazing inning, goes back for 92. Sadly for him, will not be able to reach his hundred. Nevertheless, he will be very happy with his knock, as he has put Delhi in a very strong position in this game. Jhye bowls a nice slower, yorker-length ball on middle and leg, Dhawan shuffles across and looks to play the paddle sweep but he missed. The stumps are shattered behind him.

5:16 PM IST Full on middle, Pant drives it through mid on for a single.

5:18 PM IST Marcus Stoinis heads out now!

5:16 PM IST Slower delivery on middle, Pant looks to slog it but gets hit on the thigh pad. The ball goes close to the stumps but Pant does well to stop the ball with his bat.

5:15 PM IST WIDE! Down the leg side, Pant looks to flick but misses it.

5:14 PM IST SIX! That is played so effortlessly! Full on middle, Pant flicks it over square leg for a maximum. He did not even look at the ball, after hitting it.

5:14 PM IST Full toss on off, Dhawan sweeps it towards square leg for a single.

5:12 PM IST Back of a length on off, Pant looks to flick but misses it and gets hit on the pads. The bowler appeals for lbw but the umpire denies it. 18 runs from the over. Big over for Delhi!

5:12 PM IST Good length delivery on off, Pant looks to flick but gets an outside edge. It goes towards the keeper where it falls short of Pant.

5:11 PM IST Short of a length on leg, Dhawan pulls it through mid-wicket for a single.

5:10 PM IST FIVE WIDES! Down the leg side, Dhawan looks to flick but misses it. It goes past the keeper's dive towards fine leg for a boundary. This is a very poor start to the over for Meredith.

5:09 PM IST FOUR! Three in a row for Shikhar Dhawan! Short again on middle, Dhawan pulls it through square leg for a boundary. Moves into the 90s here. He is finding the gaps beautifully!

5:09 PM IST FOUR! Good shot! Short delivery on off, Dhawan cuts it through point for a boundary. Two-in-two for Dhawan here.

5:08 PM IST FOUR! That is put away! Short delivery on middle, Dhawan pulls it over fine leg for a boundary.

5:07 PM IST STRATEGIC TIME-OUT! It has been all about Dhawan for Delhi here. They need 71 runs from 42 balls and he is ensuring that they stay well ahead of the run chase and if he can stay out there till the end of the game, then with Pant at the other end too, Delhi will be positive that they can chase this down. Punjab will be hoping that they can break this stand and send Dhawan back to the shed first, and then also remove Pant, as the Delhi skipper can be very lethal.

5:04 PM IST Just 8 off the over. A short ball, around off, RP blocks this one out.

5:03 PM IST A low full toss outside off, Rishabh smacks this one, but only as far as the mid off fielder.

5:02 PM IST A back of a length ball around off, Dhawan opens up the face of the blade and guides this one to the man at third man. Exchanges ends with Pant.

5:01 PM IST SIX! SHOT! Uses his feet well this time and gets a wonderful boundary. Shami bowls a good length delivery around off, this is a slower one, Shikhar Dhawan skips down the track and thrashes this one over the long on fence.

5:00 PM IST A length ball around off, Pant places this one behind point for a single.

4:59 PM IST Mohammed Shami is back on.

4:59 PM IST Length delivery outside off, Pant pushes this one to mid off.

4:58 PM IST FOUR! Right now, it feels like, Dhawan is not seeing any fielders, only the spaces between them, as he is finding the gaps so nicely. Shortish and on off, Shikhar Dhawan goes back and pulls this one with venom through mid-wicket. A boundary. 79 more needed in 48 balls.

4:57 PM IST Around off, shortish, Pant works this one to the leg side for an easy single.

4:56 PM IST Brilliant running from both the batters. Tossed up and landed on middle, Pant nudges this one through square leg and takes the first one quickly. They come back for the second and complete it nicely.

4:56 PM IST Full and tossed up outside off, Shikhar bunts this one to the long off region. Dhawan rotates the strike.

4:54 PM IST A full toss outside off, Dhawan slaps this one to Gayle at extra cover.

4:54 PM IST Tossed up ball around off, Dhawan chips this one through covers for a couple.

12:31 PM IST OUT! CAUGHT! Meredith gets his first wicket! Short delivery on off, Smith looks to pull but gets a top edge. It goes towards third man where Jhye Richardson takes a comfortable catch.

4:52 PM IST The Delhi skipper, Rishabh Pant comes out now.

4:51 PM IST Short of a length on middle, Dhawan pulls it through mid-wicket for a single.

4:50 PM IST FOUR! That is put away! Short ball on middle, Dhawan pulls it through mid-wicket for a boundary. Gabbar is looking in very good touch here.

4:50 PM IST Length delivery on middle, Smith flicks it through mid-wicket for a run.

4:49 PM IST Back of a length on middle, Dhawan works it through square leg for a single.

4:48 PM IST Length delivery on leg, Smith looks to flick but gets it off the pads. It goes towards fine leg. The batsmen take a leg bye.

4:47 PM IST Full again on middle, Dhawan flicks it through square leg. Two runs taken. 12 runs from the over! 97 needed in 60 balls.

4:46 PM IST SIX! What a shot! Full on middle, Dhawan flicks it over mid-wicket for a maximum.

4:45 PM IST Bouncer on off, Dhawan sways away from it.

4:45 PM IST Length delivery on off, Smith pushes it through mid on for a run.

4:44 PM IST 50 for Shikhar Dhawan! It has been a brilliant innings from him. Short delivery on middle, Dhawan flicks it through square leg for a single.

4:43 PM IST Full delivery on middle, Dhawan flicks it through square leg. Two runs taken.

4:42 PM IST Short ball again on middle, Dhawan pulls it through mid-wicket for a run.

4:41 PM IST FOUR! Consecutive boundaries from Dhawan! Short delivery on off, Dhawan makes room and cuts it through point for a boundary.

4:41 PM IST FOUR! Tossed up delivery outside off, Dhawan looks to sweep but gets an inside edge. It goes past the stumps towards fine leg for a boundary.

4:40 PM IST Short again on off, Smith punches it through covers for a single.

4:40 PM IST Short delivery on off, Dhawan punches it towards point for a run.

4:39 PM IST Flighted delivery on middle, Smith flicks it through mid-wicket for a single.

4:38 PM IST FOUR! That is smashed! Short delivery on middle, Dhawan pulls it past the bowler through mid on for a boundary.

4:37 PM IST Short delivery on off, Smith punches it through point for a single.

4:36 PM IST Full toss on off, Dhawan slogs it through mid-wicket for a single.

4:36 PM IST Floated delivery on middle, Dhawan pushes it back towards the bowler.

4:36 PM IST Flighted delivery on leg, Dhawan looks to sweep but gets hit on the pads. The bowler appeals for lbw but the umpire shakes his head.

4:34 PM IST Floated delivery on middle, Smith pushes it through mid on for a single.

4:33 PM IST Short delivery on off, Dhawan makes room and cuts it through point. Two runs taken. The fielder in the deep does well to stop it.

4:35 PM IST Change. Jalaj Saxena comes back on. Gave 10 off his first over.

4:33 PM IST Floated delivery on off, Smith pushes it past the bowler towards mid on for a single.

4:32 PM IST Flatter delivery on off, Smith looks to cut but gets a bottom edge. It goes safely towards the off side.

4:32 PM IST Short delivery on middle, Dhawan pulls it over mid-wicket for a run.

4:32 PM IST Full on middle, Smith flicks it through mid-wicket for a single.

4:31 PM IST Tossed up delivery on off, Dhawan pushes it towards covers for a single.

4:30 PM IST STRATEGIC TIME-OUT! A great start provided to Delhi, by Shaw and Dhawan, but Arshdeep's strike means that they sent the dangerous Shaw back to the hut. Now, the KL Rahul-led side will look to not let Smith settle and will want to send him back quickly, while also containing Dhawan and Delhi will be hoping that these two can keep playing their strokes, keeping one eye on the required rate. Also, Deepak Hooda will roll his arm now.

4:27 PM IST Good length ball on off, Dhawan pushes it towards the off side for a single. End of the Powerplay. DELHI ARE AT 62/1 AFTER 6 OVERS!

4:26 PM IST Length delivery on middle, Smith flicks it through mid-wicket for a run.

4:26 PM IST Back of a length on off, Dhawan defends it towards covers for a single.

4:25 PM IST Steven Smith comes out at Number 3.

4:24 PM IST OUT! TAKEN! Punjab needed a wicket and it has been provided to them by the player who has been playing so well for them, it is Arshdeep Singh! A big wicket as Shaw was playing with some intensity. This is nicely bowled too. Slower one, short too, around off, not enough room to pull but Shaw goes through, with the pull. Goes high up in the air towards square leg, where Gayle moves across and takes a good catch.

4:23 PM IST Good length delivery on middle, Dhawan looks to flick but misses it and gets hit on the thigh pad. It goes towards the off side. The batsmen take a leg bye.

4:22 PM IST Length delivery on middle, Shaw flicks it towards mid-wicket for a single.

4:21 PM IST FOUR! 14 off the over and Dhawan plays this one so wonderfully. It is a full toss outside off, Shikhar Dhawan just places this in the gap between the mid off and extra cover fielder. None can stop it and the ball reaches the ropes.

4:20 PM IST FOUR! That went like a tracer bullet. So quick and in a blink, past the ropes. A length ball, outside off, Shikhar Dhawan arches back and slaps this one through point. 50 up for Delhi!

4:19 PM IST A back of a length delivery around off, Dhawan pulls this one through mid-wicket. The man in the deep runs to his right and cleans up. A couple.

4:19 PM IST A full ball on off, SD jams this one out to point.

4:18 PM IST On a good length around off, dabbed to the point fielder.

4:17 PM IST Mohammed Shami is back on.

4:17 PM IST FOUR! Dhawan starts this over off nicely. It was a good bouncer on middle, it takes Shikhar Dhawan by surprise and he swivels and pulls this one. Takes the upper half of the blade and goes to the fine leg fence, for a boundary.

4:18 PM IST SIX! This young man is very special. Made this shot look so effortless. Jhye fires in a length delivery around off, Prithvi Shaw stands tall and lofts this one, without breaking a sweat, over the wide long off fence. Moves to 31 off just 15 balls.

4:15 PM IST A short of a length delivery around off, Dhawan goes back and steers this one towards third man for a single.

4:15 PM IST Around off, punched to the left of the mid off fielder for one.

4:14 PM IST FOUR! Shaw gets a loose ball and he takes full toll of the same. A length ball, on the leg pole, it is too easy for Shaw. He pulls this one to the deep square leg fence for a boundary.

4:13 PM IST Cuts him in half! A length ball, around off, Prithvi Shaw looks to play inside the line but the ball nips away enough, to whizz past the outside edge.

4:13 PM IST Jhye Richardson is into the attack.

4:13 PM IST Fires in a good length ball on middle, Shaw pushes this one to the mid on region.

4:12 PM IST FOUR! Gabbar ends the over off nicely. This one is flatter and around off, Shikhar Dhawan goes back and pulls this one over mid-wicket. A bounce and boundary. 10 off this over.

4:11 PM IST Shortish and around off, cut away to the point fielder.

4:11 PM IST On off, worked to the off side for one.

4:10 PM IST Was there an edge there? Yes, there was. Could have been a wicket but it falls short. Shortish and on middle, Prithvi Shaw goes back and looks to punch this one through the off side but the ball takes the inside edge, hits KL Rahul's pads and lobs towards the short fine leg region. Arshdeep Singh, there, runs ahead, but it falls short of him.

4:10 PM IST FOUR! Another very good looking stroke from Shaw. This is tossed up, around off, Prithvi Shaw moves leg side slightly and lofts this one effortlessly over the mid off region. Takes a bounce and goes past the ropes.

4:09 PM IST Jalaj Saxena is into the attack.

4:09 PM IST Slightly short and around off, pushed through mid off for a single.

4:07 PM IST SIX! This is a beautiful shot by Shaw. Holds the pose for a couple of seconds as it was hit so nicely. A good length ball, around off, Prithvi Shaw displays the full face of the blade and gently lofts this one over the long on fence.

4:07 PM IST Around off, pushed to covers.

4:06 PM IST EDGY FOUR! What a good delivery but the edge takes the ball to the ropes. A length ball, around off, Shaw looks to flick this one to the leg side but the ball takes the outside edge and speeds away to the third man fence.

4:05 PM IST Spears in a yorker on leg, Dhawan digs this one out to the mid on region and scampers for a single.

4:04 PM IST Around off, guided to the fielder at point.

4:03 PM IST A back of a length delivery on middle and leg, Shikhar looks to work this one to the leg side but he misses and gets hit high on the pads.

4:03 PM IST Mohammed Shami to bowl from the other end.

4:02 PM IST Around middle, nudged towards mid-wicket for a single. 10 runs off the first over.

4:02 PM IST FOUR! This is a freebie from Arshdeep and Dhawan opens his account here in some style. A short ball on middle, Dhawan just swivels and pulls this one over the fielder at short fine leg and the ball takes a bounce and goes past the ropes.

4:02 PM IST Short of a length ball on middle, Prithvi goes back and works this one towards square leg and gives the strike to Dhawan.

4:02 PM IST Another couple this time. This is a short ball around off, Prithvi Shaw pulls this one to the deep square leg region. There is no man there and the ball lands safe. Two taken again.

4:02 PM IST A back of a length delivery around off, Shaw goes back and punches this one through point. Shahrukh Khan in the deep, runs to his right and stops the ball. A couple. Delhi are underway!

4:02 PM IST Starts with a length delivery around off, Shaw hits this one, with the lower half of the blade, to the cover region.