Shikhar Dhawan Blames Dropping Virat Kohli For PBKS Loss Against RCB
Dhawan didn't shy away from praising Brar's efforts, highlighting his ability to handle pressure and deliver breakthroughs for the team.
Punjab Kings skipper Shikhar Dhawan candidly acknowledged that dropping the catch of Virat Kohli early in the innings turned the tide against them in their recent match against Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. Kohli, RCB's seasoned campaigner, got a lifeline when Jonny Bairstow couldn't hold onto a catch off the bowling of Sam Curran, allowing Kohli to unleash his dominance.
The dropped catch proved pivotal as Kohli capitalized on the opportunity, smashing Punjab Kings' bowlers during the powerplay and eventually scoring an impressive 77 runs off 49 balls. His stellar performance steered RCB to victory by four wickets with four balls to spare.
Reflecting on the match, Dhawan admitted that his team fell short by 10-15 runs, attributing part of the shortfall to his own relatively slow start in the powerplay. He lamented the dropped catch of Kohli, emphasizing its impact on the game's momentum. According to Dhawan, had they taken that catch, it could have shifted the momentum in their favor from the second ball itself. However, failing to capitalize on that opportunity cost them dearly as they struggled to regain momentum thereafter.
Despite Kohli's heroics, left-arm spinner Harpreet Brar emerged as a shining light for Punjab Kings with his exceptional bowling performance. Brar troubled RCB's batters throughout his spell, conceding just 13 runs and claiming two crucial wickets in four overs.
Dhawan didn't shy away from praising Brar's efforts, highlighting his ability to handle pressure and deliver breakthroughs for the team. He also appreciated Brar's connection with the local culture, referencing the traditional thigh-five gesture popular in Punjab, indicating a strong bond with the local fans.
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The match against RCB served as a learning experience for Punjab Kings, underscoring the significance of capitalizing on key moments and seizing opportunities to maintain momentum. Dhawan's acknowledgment of the team's shortcomings and praise for individual performances like Brar's reflect a balanced perspective on their performance.
As the IPL season progresses, Punjab Kings will likely focus on rectifying their mistakes and capitalizing on crucial moments to improve their overall performance and secure positive results in upcoming matches.
