Shikhar Dhawan smashed a blazing 92 off 49 balls as Delhi Capitals defeated Punjab Kings by six wickets at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Sunday.
After being asked to bat first by Delhi Capitals skipper, Punjab openers Mayank Agarwal and captain KL Rahul got their team off to a flying start. The duo added 122 runs for the first wicket, before Mayank was caught at sweeper cover by Shikhar Dhawan off Lukman Meriwala for a superb knock of 69. His knock came off 36 balls with seven fours and 4 sixes.
Rahul who was dropped twice reached his half century off 45 balls. PBKS skipper was finally caught by Marcus Stonis at midwicket off Kagiso Rabada.
Deepak Hooda and Shah Rukh Khan struck some few lusty blows in the end to take Punjab to 195/4 at the end of their allotted 20 overs.
Chasing 196, Openers Prithvi Shaw and Shikhar Dhawan got their team off to an impressive start. The pair added added 59 runs for the opening wicket before Shaw top-edged a slower one from Arshdeep Singh to Chris Gayle at square leg for 32.
Steve Smith playing his first game miscued a short ball off Riley Meredith to Jhye Richardson at third man.
Needing 71 off 42 balls, Delhi picked up 18 runs off the 14th over. Dhawan smashed Meredith for three successive fours, with an another delivery going for five wides as the equation was brought down to 53 off 36 balls.
The 35 year old left hander however fell eight run short of a well deserved century when he was bowled by Jhye Richardson in the 16th over.
Marcus Stoinis and Lalit Yadav remained unbeaten on 27 & 12 respectively as Delhi Capitals reached the target of 196 with 10 balls to spare.