Shikhar Dhawan Attributes PBKS Loss To Dropping Virat Kohli Against RCB
Reflecting on the game, Dhawan conceded that his team fell short by 10-15 runs, attributing part of the deficit to his own slow start during the powerplay.
In a candid revelation, Shikhar Dhawan, captain of the Punjab Kings, openly acknowledged the pivotal moment in their recent match against the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) at Bengaluru's M Chinnaswamy Stadium. The turning point came early in the innings when Jonny Bairstow failed to grasp a catch off the bowling of Sam Curran, granting RCB's Virat Kohli a reprieve.
Kohli, a seasoned campaigner, seized the opportunity with gusto, unleashing a dominating display against the Punjab Kings' bowlers. His aggressive innings of 77 runs off 49 balls propelled RCB to victory, clinching the match by four wickets with four balls to spare.
Reflecting on the game, Dhawan conceded that his team fell short by 10-15 runs, attributing part of the deficit to his own slow start during the powerplay. The dropped catch of Kohli, according to Dhawan, significantly shifted the game's momentum against them. Had they capitalized on that opportunity, the outcome might have been different. However, failing to seize the moment cost them dearly as they struggled to regain control thereafter.
Despite Kohli's dominance, Punjab Kings found a silver lining in the performance of left-arm spinner Harpreet Brar. Brar's exceptional bowling, which yielded just 13 runs and claimed two crucial wickets in four overs, earned praise from Dhawan. He commended Brar's ability to handle pressure and make breakthroughs for the team, while also acknowledging his connection with the local culture, evident in the traditional thigh-five gesture popular in Punjab.
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The match against RCB served as a valuable learning experience for Punjab Kings, highlighting the importance of capitalizing on crucial moments and maintaining momentum. Dhawan's recognition of the team's shortcomings and acknowledgment of individual performances like Brar's reflect a balanced assessment of their performance.
Looking ahead, Punjab Kings will focus on rectifying mistakes and capitalizing on opportunities to improve their overall performance and secure positive results in future matches.
