Prabhsimran Singh had shown a fair bit of promise earlier in this IPL. On Saturday at the Ferozeshah Kotla in New Delhi, the opener converted his start into a fantastic century that helped Punjab Kings to a somewhat competitive total of 167/7 after Delhi Capitals won the toss and opted to bowl first.
Prabhsimran’s knock of 103 off just 65 balls, comprising 10 boundaries and six maximums, assumes huge importance for Punjab as the next best individual score after his contribution was just 20 (Sam Curran).
Sikandar Raza remained not out on 11 while all the others who came out to bat registered only single-digit scores.
If not for the 72-run fourth-wicket partnership between Prabhsimran and Curran, the situation would certainly have been a lot worse for Punjab. Credit though also goes to the Capitals bowlers as barring a few loose balls to Prabhsimran, they didn’t give much away.
Ishant Sharma, playing his 100th IPL match, celebrates, after dismissing Punjab Kings’ Liam Livingstone on Saturday. Twitter
Veteran pacer Ishant Sharma took the key wickets of Punjab captain Shikhar Dhawan, who couldn’t make any impact playing at his home ground, and No.3 Liam Livingstone. The left-arm spin duo of Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav were economical with one wicket apiece.
Bengal pacer Mukesh Kumar, in the only over (19th) he bowled, castled Prabhsimran with a fuller-length ball. Only Mitch Marsh got hammered for 21 in his lone over, when Prabhsimran hammered him for back-to-back sixes followed by a four en route to his maiden IPL hundred.
“I wanted to do well this season and my team has backed me. This is the result of that,” Prabhsimran said.
