Punjab Kings' (PBKS) playoffs chances took a huge blow as the hosts suffered a 15-run defeat at the hands of Delhi Capitals at HPCA Stadium, Dharamsala. In the mammoth run chase of 214, PBKS were way behind the required run rate. As a result, just before the slog overs Atharva Taide had to retire out to make way for big hitters despite scoring his half-century. Former West Indies cricketer-turned-commentator Ian Bishop feels that it was unfair on Taide as he should have been in the ground to accelerate instead of retiring out.
Tough for a young kid learning his game
“Taide is a young guy. He has been in and out of the team, and perhaps, went out when he should've been in. Like Nehal Wadhera last night, he will learn from this, and it will make him a better player. I don't want anybody to go hard at him. Tough for a young kid learning his game,” Bishop told ESPNCricinfo after PBKS suffered their seventh defeat of the season.
Taide scored 55 runs from 42 deliveries including five fours and two sixes at a strike rate of 130.95. He shared a 78-run partnership for the third wicket with Liam Livingstone. When he retired out, PBKS needed 86 runs from 30 balls.
While retiring out Taide looked like a tactical move to give big-hitters a go at DC pacers, Jitesh Sharma, Shahrukh Khan, Sam Curran and Harpreet Brar combined to score 17 runs from 12 balls. Jitesh got out for a three-ball duck in the 16th over. Shahrukh hit a solitary six off the three balls. Curran hit a four and a six in his five-ball 11 whereas Brar got run out trying to sneak a single via byes first ball.
It was Livingstone who scored the bulk of runs with his IPL career-best 48-ball 94 which was studded with five fours and nine sixes.
Taide's debut IPL season
The 23-year-old in his maiden IPL season has scored 167 runs from six innings at an average of 27.83 including two half-centuries. He has scored runs at a healthy strike rate of 142.74.
PBKS playoffs chances
The 15-run loss led to PBKS slipping to eighth position on the points table. Now, they need a big win in their next clash against Rajasthan Royals (RR) in addition to few other results going their way.
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