IPL 2020 | Ashwin says he'll be ready for the next game subject to physio's approval, informs Shreyas Iyer
In the post-match presentation, Shreyas Iyer informed that Ravichandran Ashwin, who dislocated his shoulder after taking two wickets, will be available for the next match subject to the physioâs approval. Marcus Stoiniwas awarded Man of the Match for his brilliant fifty and heroics in the last over.
After a rusty start with the bat, which led to 3 early wickets for Delhi Capitals, Captain Shreyas Iyer and Rishabh Pant steadied the ship for DC as they stitched together a partnership of 73. Later in the fag end, Marcus Stoinis played a blinder of 53 runs off 21 balls, taking the team total to 157.
Mohammad Shami and Debutant Ravi Bishnoi starred for KXIP as Shami picked 3 wickets for 15 runs, and Bishnoi impressed one and all by taking the crucial wicket of Rishabh Pant and giving away only 22 runs in 4 overs.Â
Iyer pointed out that it was not easy to start hitting from the beginning but was happy with the performance of the team.Â
âIt wasn't easy from the outset to start hitting immediately, and Rishabh and I batted well in the middle to anchor the innings. Catching has been difficult because of the lights right in our eyes, but that's not an excuse because we have had practice, so we need to strengthen that area, â said Iyer in the post-match presentation.Â
Chasing the decent total on a double paced wicket, KXIP didnât quite get off to a start as they lost 4 wickets in the span of three overs and were 35 for 4 at one point. KL Rahul and Mayank Agarwal were looking good but as Rahul got out to Mohit Sharmaâs peach of a delivery, it was followed up by 3 more quick wickets. However, it was Mayank who showed a brilliant display of batting, scoring 89 off 60 balls. Courtesy to aesthetically beautiful innings of Mayank, KXIP managed to take the match to the last over. For Delhi, they suffered a huge blow in the form of Ashwin, who dislocated his shoulder after taking two wickets in his first over.Â
Iyer pointed out that Ashwinâs over was a key one before he got his shoulder dislocated. Interestingly, Iyer revealed that Ashwin will be back in the next match but the final call will be of the physio, however, this will be a huge relief for the DC management. He praised Stoinis for his incredible cameo with the bat as well as the bowl.Â
âIt was important for us to get wickets, since the total was small, and I knew if I saved KG's over for the end it would be helpful. Ashwin's over was a key one, and it changed the game in our favour, but that's what T20 cricket is. Ashwin says he'll be ready for the next game, but in the end the physio is going to decide. Axar was fantastic with those middle overs too, stifling the runs in the middle after Ashwin was injured. We generally go by left-right combination in the team build-up. The way Stoinis assessed the wicket and played that innings was commendable,â he added.Â
After getting hit for a six and four, Stoinis turned the match on his head by dismissing Mayank on the second last ball of the match and then, picked up the wicket of Chris Jordan to tie the match. He was adjudged Man of the Match for his heroic innings with bat and cameo in the last over with the ball, taking the match to the super over.Â
In the super over, Kagiso Rabada picked up the wicket of Rahul with a well-directed short pitch ball and then, followed it with a ripper to hit the stumps of Pooran, finishing the innings KXIP with three balls remaining. Coming out to chase a target of 3 runs in an over, Shami bowled a wide and then, Pant hit a ball to deep fine leg to take 2 runs and winning the match for Delhi based franchise.