IPL 2019 | Eden Gardens a better pitch than Feroz Shah Kotla, says Shikhar Dhawan

Delhi Capitals registered their fourth win of the season at the back of a comprehensive innings by Dhawan on Friday who led the side to a win starting with opening the batting.And the southpaw has stated that the pitch in Kolkata was better than the one they have back in Delhi.

Dhawan hit eleven boundaries and two sixes as Delhi chased a target of 179, which KKR had posted after some heavy knocks by Shubman Gill and Andre Russell. However, Dhawan couldn’t get to his century regardless as Colin Ingram decided end innings with a maximum. 

"I knew it could be my first T20 hundred but the team goal is more important; hence, I took that single rather than taking a huge risk," Dhawan said at the presentation ceremony, reported PTI.

"It's totally opposite here compared to Delhi. I was telling Dinesh (Karthik) the same thing. It's a good wicket to bat on. Good for the bowlers as well as the batsmen, makes it interesting. In Delhi, we have to adapt ourselves, so we got to have that skill," he added.

The pitch at Feroz Shah Kotla has been a concern for the home franchise with coach Ricky Ponting previously known to be furious at the groundsmen after they made a pitch friendly to Sunrisers Hyderabad during their clash. However, Dhawan and Pant looked to be in complete control on Friday after some initial hiccups and the veteran praised Pant for his innings. 

"I really enjoyed in the first six overs but I knew I had to stay till the last. I was getting the right thoughts and I had to take the game deep. Rishabh (Pant) is such a big hitter (that) he can always hit it out of the park."

Pant played a 31-ball-46 innings, which was more supportive than his original nature. "I just try to keep my head clear. When you're chasing 180, you need to pace the innings in a way that you complete the match in 18-19 overs. We were just talking about taking the match deep and that both of us should remain there till the end," Pant said.