All-rounder Shardul Thakur played a key role in Delhi Capitals’ (DC) comprehensive 17-run victory over Punjab Kings (PBKS) in the IPL 2022 match at DY Patil Stadium, Mumbai on Monday (May 16).
Chasing 160 to win, PBKS were restricted to 142/9. Shardul starred with the ball for DC, returning with the figures of 4 for 36 in his four overs.
Speaking after the game, Thakur credited his success to his decision to mix up deliveries, which paid rich dividends against PBKS.
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“There was difference in both the side boundaries, but there was dew and it was humid, so I felt they could hit a six on the bigger side (boundary)," he said at the post-match press conference. "So the better idea was to mix up deliveries and confuse the batter.
“Along with the knuckleball, use an off-cutter for a left-hander, then seam-up, slow-bouncer or bouncer or use the hard length.”
The spin duo of Akshar Patel (2-14) and Kuldeep Yadav (2-14) also bowled exceptionally well, sharing four scalps between them while pacer Anrich Nortje (1-29) got the prized scalp of Jonny Bairstow.
“…the scenario was completely different. Yes, if there was no dew 160 would have been a great score, but with dew coming in after 12 overs and probably eight overs in the end, they (Punjab) could have used the dew factor to their advantage if they had wickets in hand.
“But credit goes to our bowling unit that we kept on taking wickets and at the same time the chase kept getting bigger and bigger for them,” Shardul said.
With this victory, Delhi Capitals moved to the fourth spot on the points table and kept their playoffs hopes alive. This was the first time that DC won back-to-back matches in the ongoing season.
“We didn’t get the momentum in the starting matches but we still aren]t out of the race (to make the play-offs) and today’s win was a big win. We have a match on 21st (May) and let’s see how it goes.”
Shardul feels DC’s fielding has improved in the last three-four games.
“I do not think we lacked in fielding, we were lacking on the field in the first 10 games but since the last three-four games, we are improving a lot in the field.”
The Rishabh Pant-led side will take on Mumbai Indians (MI) in their last league match on May 21.
(With PTI inputs)
