The IPL has got into the fiery mode as every team is molded with the potent fleet to take on the rival. The matches are becoming more competitive day by day. On the 2nd game of the first Super Sunday of the current edition, it was the Punjab Kings and the Delhi Capitals that locked horns. Both the teams had won and lost a game each and they were looking to register their second victory. 

Delhi Capitals, with a young captain led by Rishabh Pant and the aggressive Punjab Kings, were both ready to make it happen. The match was hosted by Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai and Delhi Capitals won the toss and decided to bowl, which most of the skippers fond of after winning the toss in the season. The most successful opening duo in recent years in IPL, KL Rahul and Mayank Agarwal provided a blistering opening partnership scoring 122 runs together. 

Rahul got out for 61 and Mayank scored 69 runs, in which has become a splendid display of bat. None of the Delhi bowlers could actually do anything to stop that partnership as they were hitting the balls across every corner. With Deepak Hooda's 22 and Shahrukh's quickfire 15 towards the end, the Punjab Kings scored a mammoth 195 runs on the board in their 20 overs. It was definitely not going to be easy for the Delhi Capitals though they had so much depth in their batting line-up.

With a Himalayan task of chasing 196, the DC opened its innings with Shikhar Dhawan and Prithvi Shaw. Dhawan, the man in terrific form gave a solid start for yet another time for the Delhi Capitals. He was well supported by Prithvi Shaw and the latter went back to the pavilion after a well-made 32 off just 17 balls. Dhawan continued to be the nightmare for the Punjab bowlers as he was very comfortable in smashing the balls all over the ground. 

His innings was a big contributor to the chase and he got out on 92, off 49 deliveries, when his team was just behind 45 runs for victory. Aussie's Steve Smith came to the crease and quickly went by scoring 9 runs and after he went, Rishabh Pant and Marcus Stoinis had put up a good little partnership of 27 runs to take the team close and after the fall of Pant, Stoinis ensured that the team was taken home by his sensible innings. 

Eventually, the Delhi Capitals had reached the target and scored 198 runs by losing four wickets. It was a convincing, and indeed, much-needed victory for the Pant and Co which had registered its second victory in three matches. Punjab Kings was in seventh place while Delhi stood at second. For delivering outstanding innings which powered him in the race for the orange cap, Shikhar Dhawan was named as the player of the match. 

After the victory, Pant said that he had started enjoying his new responsibility of leading the team and admitted that the team had faced pressure when KL Rahul and Mayank Agarwal were terrific on the crease. Speaking at the post-match presentation ceremony, Rishabh Pant said, "Coming from a loss (defeat against Rajasthan Royals), winning the next match was important. Have already started enjoying captaincy. But we were under pressure at the start, the wicket was not doing much."

He stated, "Bowlers did a good job keeping them to 190. He (Dhawan) has a lot of experience. You can talk to him about anything, how we can set the field, there are many stuff you can talk about. End of the day, what he's giving to the team is commendable. I like to keep the environment light so people can be themselves and enjoy their cricket". Punjab skipper KL Rahul had marked his birthday on Sunday and he sounded to be disappointed after conceding the defeat. 

Speaking at the post-match presentation ceremony, KL Rahul said, "Victory (on his birthday) would have been sweet, so it's slightly disappointing. But we have a lot of games, so hopefully, we come back stronger and win few games. Right now, it looks 10-15 runs short, but I think 190-odd looked good. Me and Mayank thought 180-190 would have been great on this wicket. Shikhar batted well, so congratulations to them. When we come to Wankhede, bowling second is always a challenge."

"We prepare for such conditions. It does get difficult against these quality batters. I'm not saying that because I'm on the losing side. Bowlers try to bowl with the wet ball, but it's always difficult to do that. I asked the umpires to change the ball a couple of times, but the rule book doesn't allow that", Rahul added.