Kamal Ghorui
NEW DELHI: Not just Arshdeep Singh, Shreyas Iyer and the Punjab Kings players knew the importance of dismissing KL Rahul early, but head coach Ricky Ponting too looked delighted after the crucial breakthrough during the IPL 2026 clash in Dharamsala.After Punjab Kings posted a mammoth 210/5 in 20 overs, Arshdeep Singh struck early by removing KL Rahul cheaply for just nine runs. The celebrations from the pacer and his teammates reflected how significant the wicket was in the context of the match.
When the camera turned towards the Punjab Kings dugout, Ponting’s reaction was caught on camera as the former Australia captain burst into laughter while celebrating Rahul’s dismissal.Arshdeep bowled a length delivery on middle and leg, with Rahul attempting to whip it away. However, the batter only managed a leading edge, sending the ball high into the air. Marco Jansen moved swiftly, slid underneath it and completed a superb catch.Earlier, Priyansh Arya smashed six towering sixes during his whirlwind 33-ball 56 before Delhi Capitals pacers adjusted their lengths to restrict Punjab Kings to 210/5.Delhi Capitals, fighting to stay alive in the tournament, opted to field first after making five changes to their playing XI for the first game of the season at the scenic Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium.The high altitude in Dharamsala once again aided stroke-making, and the effect was immediately visible against Mitchell Starc, who endured an expensive outing. Priyansh tore into the veteran left-arm pacer in an over that leaked 22 runs, including sixes square of the wicket on both sides.The left-hander not only launched Starc for a six off the very first ball of the innings but also attacked Lungi Ngidi and Mukesh Kumar with fearless intent.However, Delhi Capitals fought back smartly. Aaquib Nabi used hard lengths effectively, troubling Priyansh during the latter half of the powerplay.Prabhsimran Singh managed only 18 off 15 balls before getting caught at fine leg off Mukesh Kumar.Youngster Madhav Tiwari then claimed his maiden IPL wicket by dismissing Priyansh at deep point in the ninth over.Punjab Kings raced away initially but reached only 107/2 at the halfway stage. Captain Shreyas Iyer later anchored the innings with an unbeaten 59 off 36 balls, while Cooper Connolly contributed 38 off 27 during their 83-run third-wicket partnership.In the 19th over, Starc dismissed Marcus Stoinis and Shashank Singh off successive deliveries before Suryansh Shedge hammered two stunning sixes off the Australian quick.Ngidi then delivered an excellent final over to stop Punjab Kings from going beyond 210.
