Opener Prabhsimran Singh smashed his maiden Indian Premier League (IPL) century and Harpreet Brar took a four-wicket haul to help Punjab Kings record a convincing 31-run victory over Delhi Capitals in the 59th match of the tournament played at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi on Saturday.
Prabhsimran smashed a magnificent 103 from 65 balls inclusive of six sixes and 10 boundaries as Punjab went on to hit up a respectable 167 for seven from their 20 overs after they were invited to take first lease of the wicket.
Thereafter, left-arm spinner Harpreet produced a sensational spell of four overs to return excellent figures of four for 30 as Delhi collapsed to 136 for eight to remain at the bottom of the IPL points table.
Despite losing his opening partner Shikhar Dhawan (7), Liam Livingstone (4) and Jitesh Sharma (5) inside the Powerplay, which produced 46 runs, Prabhsimran chose his time to counter-attack and complete a 42-ball half century with three sixes and five boundaries.
In the 11th over, bowled by Mitchell Marsh, Prabhsimran struck 6, 6, 4 in succession deliveries in a 21-run over and was able to inject the much-needed momentum in the middle of the innings.
The 22-year-old elegant right-hander kept the momentum going despite losing Sam Curran (20) and Harpreet Brar (2) at the other end. He survived a chance in the 15th over as he was dropped by Rilee Rossouw on 64 and he made Delhi pay as he paced his innings perfectly and reached his maiden IPL hundred in style with two successive fours off Khaleel Ahmed.
Chasing 168, Delhi got off to a superb start through their openers David Warner (54) and Phil Salt (21) as the duo hit a total of 11 fours and a six inside the Powerplay to take their side to an impressive 65 for no loss at the end of first six overs.
Brar finally provided the breakthrough as he came back strongly to clean up Salt in the seventh over, but Warner went on to bring up his 60th IPL fifty, off just 23 deliveries.
However, Delhi suffered a middle order collapse as they went from 74 for one to 88 for six in three overs with Brar causing damage supported well by Nathan Ellis (2/26) and Rahul Chahar (2/16).
Chief scores
Punjab Kings: 167/7 in 20 overs (Prabhsimran Singh 103, Sam Curran 20, Ishant Sharma 2/27)
Delhi Capitals: 136/8 in 20 overs (David Warner 54, Phil Salt 21, Harpreet Brar 4/30, Nathan Ellis 2/26, Rahul Chahar 2/16). (C.D)
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