IPL Pulse: Miller's garbage truck and Ponting's restraint

Good morning,

The Delhi Capitals live to fight another day after pulling off a stunning chase against Punjab Kings. That's four losses in a row now for PBKS who were unbeaten after their first 7 games. How quickly can your fortunes change?

Here's Cricbuzz Pulse, your 2-minute scan of the IPL verse.

Last night in five lines

Priyansh Arya and Prabhsimran Singh were at it again, scoring 50 runs in just 2.4 overs

Shreyas Iyer and Cooper Connolly exchanged their batting positions and still proved effective.

For the first time since 2016, a side bowled all 20 overs of pace.

DC's top four wilted and combined to add just 39 runs in a run chase of 211

Axar Patel finally stepped up with the bat alongside the returning David Miller and the lower middle order as DC got the job done with an over to spare

Oh, that happened

39 overs were bowled in the game and not one was bowled by a spinner. Way back in 2008, a fixture between RCB and CSK used 39.4 overs of pace. Last night's fixture is now second on the list and by a good distance. While the conditions definitely warranted it, it's quite incredible that Axar was never tempted to bowl himself, and Shreyas had no role whatsoever for Yuzvendra Chahal.

Pulse Awards

The last-throw-of-the-dice award goes to the DC management. On the brink of elimination, they made a brave call by changing almost half their side for this fixture and still came out on top.

The no-fear-whatsoever award goes to Suryansh Shedge. Bowling the penultimate over, Mitchell Starc had just removed experienced campaigners Marcus Stoinis and Shashank Singh off successive deliveries. But facing a hat-trick delivery from one of the world's premier bowlers, Shedge smashed Starc for a six to send a statement, following it up with a four and another six.

Arshdeep Singh bags the I-got-your-back-buddy award after dropping a sitter and taking the spotlight away from Shashank Singh. Although, it must be noted that Shashank wasn't present on the field as he made way for the impact sub Yash Thakur.

Speaking of dropped catches, PBKS head coach Ricky Ponting wins the Mr. Restraint award for putting up with the fielding effort of his charges. After Arshdeep dropped a sitter, it was Shedge's turn to drop one although his was tougher. There's definitely a bug in that PBKS camp.

Talking point

PBKS easily have one of the most destructive opening pairs in the IPL. Add Cooper Connolly and Shreyas Iyer to that, you get an intimidating top 4. Perhaps their batting performances have masked their poor outings with the ball. PBKS have now conceded seven 200-plus totals in 10 outings (a joint IPL record for a single edition), in addition to 195/6 against MI earlier in the tournament. Last night's performance would have frustrated them much more, given that DC were 33/3 at one point in pursuit of 211.

The Chatter

PBKS spin bowling coach Sairaj Bahutule admitted PBKS had the game, but "didn't execute their skills" in the last five overs.

"There was absolutely a thought in my mind," Shreyas Iyer said after the game when asked if he was tempted to give Chahal a go.

"I would like to say I'm 100% bowler, 100% batsman." Madhav Tiwari was confidence personified last night and why wouldn't he be? Playing his first game of the season, he made a vital contribution with both bat and ball, eventually winning the player of the match award.

"I felt like a garbage truck getting out there at the back end." David Miller clearly would have loved to stay until the end during the chase.

Stat snack

A 16-year record was broken last night following DC's successful chase. The previous highest run chase in Dharamsala was CSK's 193 against the home side. Yup, it was the MS Dhoni special where he let out emotions on a rare occasion. Last night, DC became the first team to hunt down a 200 plus target successfully at this venue.

Gossip column

The word is that Arshdeep will look to avoid his coach and the captain at all costs the next time he shoots a video. There are no prizes for guessing who will make a special guest appearance though...

Tonight's watchlist

It's a big game in Ahmedabad as we are all set to witness a top-of-the-pile collision. Gujarat Titans and Sunrisers Hyderabad have the same number of points and are joint-top alongside RCB. The winner tonight will usurp the other two and likely seal their Playoffs spot.

Reckless prediction for tonight's match

Travis Head to give nightmares to the Ahmedabad crowd once again.