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On May 11 at Dharamsala’s HPCA Stadium, both captains trusted their pacers to deliver as the pitch and conditions had assistance for pace. As a result, Delhi Capitals (DC) skipper Axar Patel didn’t bowl himself and Shreyas Iyer didn’t give Indian Premier League (IPL) history’s highest wicket-taker, Yuzvendra Chahal even one over. Over-reliance on Marcus Stoinis, Yash Thakur and debutant Ben Dwarshuis hurt Punjab Kings (PBKS) as they failed to defend a target of 211, letting DC pull off the highest IPL run chase at the venue. After the defeat, skipper Iyer and spin-bowling coach Sairaj Bahutule explained why the experienced leggie was there in the middle just to field. Iyer admitted that the though crossed his mind but he decided against it. He blamed pacers for their lack of execution.
"There was absolutely a thought in my mind but the way the ball was seaming and the way it was helping seamers, I think if we would have executed our line and length precisely, we could have been able to extract wickets, but unfortunately again, we didn't," Iyer said in the post-match presentation.
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Spin-bowling coach Bahutule backed Iyer’s call saying that the wicket assisted pacers.
"Definitely there was a thought during the time-out, but I think the ball was seaming and the conditions were suitable for the fast bowlers. So I think the decision was very spontaneous to continue with the fast bowlers and see how we can get those wickets, which we did early on," Bahutule said in the post-match press conference.
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Chahal ignored despite good form
This may have been the first time Chahal has been part of the playing eleven, not injured and still wasn’t given the ball to bowl even one over. Notably, he had found form against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the previous game, getting the wicket of Travis Head. He defied match-ups and created plenty of chances but two catches were dropped and a stumping was missed.
Will Chahal play in next 2 games at Dharamsala
The loss has led to PBKS staying in the fourth position with 13 points from 11 games. In their remaining three games, they need at least one win to have a chance of qualifying for playoffs. Their next two matches are in Dharamsala as well. A discussion over Chahal's place in the playing even is expected to be had if the skipper doesn't trust him in pace-friendly conditions. Iyer-led PBKS face Mumbai Indians (MI) next on May 14 followed by Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) on May 17.
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