Boundary call overturns catch, Rana survives on review
The moment turned on a fine margin, and the third umpire took his time. Marcus Stoinis appeared to have completed a clean catch near the rope, but replays told a different story. One angle showed the boundary cushion moving as his leg brushed it. That was enough.
Nitish Rana was called back, and six runs were awarded. It was not out. The decision hinged on contact with the boundary, not just control of the ball. For Punjab Kings, it was a costly lapse. For Delhi Capitals, it was a reprieve that kept the momentum intact.
Rahul and Rana keep control with sustained assault
Rana made the most of that lifeline. He moved to 74 off 39 balls, striking 10 fours and 2 sixes, and kept the pressure on through the middle overs. KL Rahul, at the other end, had already set the tone.
Rahul surged to 129 off 57 balls, with 13 fours and 8 sixes. His approach was clear from the start. He didn’t hold back in the powerplay and carried that tempo through. There has been talk around his strike rate. This innings addressed that directly.
Their partnership grew to 192 for the second wicket, the highest for the franchise. It was built on constant scoring rather than bursts, and it left Punjab without a phase to regain control.
Delhi push past 220 as Punjab falter in execution
Delhi Capitals reached 220 for 2 in 17 overs, adding 78 in the last five. The surface helped, but Punjab’s execution didn’t. Their lengths were inconsistent, and their plans lacked clarity at key moments.
Yuzvendra Chahal finished wicketless, conceding 42. The overturned catch summed up their day in the field. Margins went against them, but so did their basics.
At this stage, Delhi had full control. Punjab were chasing the game, and the scoreboard reflected it.