Marsh, Shardul outplay Punjab in low-scorer

For the first time in IPL 2022, Delhi Capitals managed to win a second game in a row after their bowlers collectively helped defend the Mitchell Marsh-powered 159 against Punjab Kings. It left Delhi pipping Royal Challengers Bangalore for the fourth spot in the points table for now.

What happened to Punjab's imposing batting?

It collapsed on the face of some accurate spin bowling, as batter after batter failed to stick in on a track with some assistance. Both Kuldeep Yadav and Axar Patel were relentless through the middle overs as they combined to pick 4 wickets in eight overs.

Was Punjab never in the chase?

They were in the powerplay when Jonny Bairstow plundered 28 in 15 balls. But it all turned around when Anrich Nortje had him caught in the deep off a pull. This was quickly followed by a double break from Shardul Thakur who gave away ten runs in his first over but also accounted for both Shikhar Dhawan, caught behind while cramped for room, and Bhanuka Rajapaksa, slicing a big hit to point, in the same over as Punjab ended the powerplay on 54/3.

Was spin unplayable?

It was made to look so by Punjab's batters who failed to pick lengths as well as the variations. Axar Patel first had Mayank Agarwal caught in the crease to a slider and had him bowled for a duck. Liam Livingstone was kept quiet for his first five deliveries before he came out swinging wildly against a wrong 'un from Kuldeep Yadav to be stumped in the next over. Kuldeep, in his next, then had Harpreet Brar bowled by a googly again, while Axar then got under Rishi Dhawan with another slider. Having slipped to 82/7 in the 13th over, there was no return for Punjab despite some lusty hits from Jitesh Sharma that saw them cross 100 but fall short of Delhi's 159 by 17 runs.

Why could Delhi Capitals get only 159?

Because Liam Livingstone, the man who confessed to