Covid-hit Capitals demolish Punjab Kings, find reason to rejoice

The bowlers, led by Axar and Kuldeep, deliver lethal and accurate spells to skittle out Mayank’s men for a paltry 115; Warner powers Delhi home in 10.3 overs

Undeterred by the number of COVID-19 cases in its camp, Delhi Capitals put up a commanding performance to crush Punjab Kings by nine wickets at the Brabourne Stadium on Wednesday.

Five of the six bowlers that Capitals used after winning the toss picked up at least one wicket as it bundled out Kings for 115 off the last ball of the 20th over. Prithvi Shaw and David Warner then waded into the Kings attack to help Rishabh Pant’s men cruise home with plenty to spare.

Shaw and Warner’s 83-run partnership — 81 of those coming in the PowerPlay — was instrumental in Capitals reaching the target in the 11th over. The facile win not only helped Capitals register a hat-trick of victories at the Brabourne this season, but also gave its Net Run Rate a much-needed boost.

Two to tango

In the first six overs, Shaw and Warner matched each other stroke for stroke, hitting seven fours each. The former’s tennis ball cricket-like swat off Vaibhav Arora went for a maximum.

In contrast to the 14 fours and a six that the Capitals openers hit in the PowerPlay, the entire Kings innings had only 15 fours and a six.