Shikhar Dhawan, skipper of the Punjab Kings (PBKS), took full responsibility for his team’s narrow loss against the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in Match 6 of the IPL 2024. Speaking at the post-match presentation, Dhawan acknowledged his slow batting at the top of the order and the costly dropped catches that ultimately proved detrimental to their chances.
Dhawan Admits to Costly Batting Innings
“It was a good game,” Dhawan said. “We brought the game back, and again we lost it. We scored 10-15 runs less. In the first six overs, I played a bit slow. Those 10-15 runs cost us, and the dropped catch as well.”
Dhawan’s sluggish start at the crease prevented Punjab Kings from building a strong foundation. This, he believes, directly impacted the final score, leaving them with a below-par total of 176.
Missed Opportunities Haunt Punjab Kings
Adding to their woes, the Punjab Kings dropped crucial catches, most notably the dismissal of Virat Kohli. Dhawan acknowledged the significance of the missed opportunity, stating, “Virat scored 70-odd runs, and we dropped a catch of the class player. We paid the price. If we had taken that catch, the momentum would have come from the second ball.”
Kohli capitalized on the dropped catches, scoring a match-winning 77 for RCB. Dhawan further elaborated on the pitch conditions, which he described as “not a very true wicket” with inconsistent bounce and turn.
Praise for Harpreet Brar’s Bowling Performance
Despite the loss, Dhawan commended the outstanding bowling performance of Harpreet Brar. Brar’s economical spell, following Kagiso Rabada‘s two-wicket haul, put immense pressure on the RCB batsmen. Dhawan remarked, “He’s bowling really well, especially bowling against left-handers. It’s tremendous the way he soaked in the pressure and got us the breakthroughs.”
The Punjab Kings will need to address their batting approach and fielding lapses to improve their performance in the upcoming matches. Dhawan’s self-awareness and focus on improvement bode well for the team’s future. While this loss stings, the season is far from over, and the Punjab Kings have the potential to bounce back stronger.
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