Punjab Kings vs Delhi Capitals, 29th Match - Live Cricket Score, Commentary

Stumps flying

Gayle didn't expect that at all. He just pulled Rabada for a massive six and he was waiting for a short ball next. However, Rabada wants to go full and misses his length. This is a high full toss bowled at a speed over 140 and Gayle just didn't know how to face that. It came at an awkward height and Gayle in his attempt to defend it missed the ball completely only to see his stumps rearranged. Poor start for PBKS. Dawid Malan has walked out to bat to make his bow in the IPL. PBKS are 39/2 after the powerplay.

Rabada strikes

Stop the press!! Rabada has a wicket. He has struggled for wickets this season given his reputation in IPL over the years and it has taken him only 3 balls to strike tonight. Prabhsimran Singh did end up wasting deliveries in the powerplay and hence brought out a desperate shot. But Smith judges the mistimed shot to perfection at mid off to complete the catch. Gayle is the new man in.

Playing XIs:

Punjab Kings:Prabhsimran Singh(w), Mayank Agarwal(c), Chris Gayle, Dawid Malan, Deepak Hooda, Shahrukh Khan, Harpreet Brar, Chris Jordan, Riley Meredith, Ravi Bishnoi, Mohammed Shami

Delhi Capitals:Prithvi Shaw, Shikhar Dhawan, Rishabh Pant(w/c), Marcus Stoinis, Shimron Hetmyer, Steven Smith, Axar Patel, Lalit Yadav, Kagiso Rabada, Ishant Sharma, Avesh Khan

TOSS: Delhi Capitals opt to bowl. Punjab Kings, led by Mayank Agarwal tonight, bring in Dawid Malan for Nicholas Pooran

Summary of the previous clash

This isn't the first time they are facing each other this season. In a high-scoring game couple of weeks ago, Delhi Capitals easily chased down 196 with 10 balls left in their innings. PBKS openers registered half-centuries and set the platform for the big score but Dhawan was in his elements once the chase began. Shaw dazzled briefly scoring 32 off 17 but it was Dhawan who did the bulk of the damage scoring 92 off just 49 deliveries before Marcus Stoinis and Lalit Yadav finished proceedings. It is highly unlikely that we will witness another game full of runs this time around.

Build up

KL Rahul mentioned before the RCB game that his side is used to finding themselves in delicate positions midway through the tournament. 2021 hasn't been different. Even a change in name hasn't changed their fortunes with inconsistency continuing to plague them. Punjab Kings began their campaign with a thrilling win over Rajasthan Royals but followed it up with three straight losses. Even though they have now won two of their last three games, it is imperative they don't let this momentum slip and pick up another win. A comfortable win over the high-flying RCB just less than 48 hours ago would have given them plenty of confidence and tonight, they will have to get on top of another in-form team.

The task though only gets tougher for PBKS following the news earlier today on their skipper. KL has been taken to hospital to undergo surgery for acute appendicitis. That's a killer blow for the franchise to lose their best batsman and leader. How are they going to cope with his absence and who will lead them tonight remains to be seen. Whoever it is, they certainly got huge shoes to fill in. Delhi Capitals on the other hand may have lost Shreyas Iyer to an injury before the tournament began, R Ashwin had to withdraw as well after a few games in order to be with his family but their absence hasn't been felt.

The openers Shikhar Dhawan and Prithvi Shaw are in dazzling form and that middle order has been largely untested. Kagiso Rabada hasn't even been amongst the wickets this season and they have still managed to get the job done. Ishant Sharma's return would have pleased the camp but it is Avesh Khan who has stepped up as DC's bowling trumpcard. Will he continue to impress? Can Harpreet Brar prove that the performance against RCB wasn't a one-off? And can Nicholas Pooran finally buy a run? Plenty of questions in store for us tonight.