After an exciting season-opener, the Indian T20 League amped the action a few notches higher with a match that, for a while, seemed like no one wanted to win!
Delhi, heading in as the favourites over Punjab, started off by setting an unflattering record with their worst-ever Powerplay score in the UAE at 23-3. However, Marcus Stoinis picked up the pieces with an impressive half-century that helped Delhi set a target of 158 for Punjab.
If Marcus was Delhi's star, then Mayank Agarwal was Punjab's. After taking the Delhi bowlers to the cleaners, showmanship got the better of him, and Punjab, as Chris Jordan got himself caught trying to earn the one run they needed to win.
Enter the Super Over and an extra from Shami during Delhi's turn ended up settling the Northern Derby in their favour!
For a game peppered with so many ups and downs. the social media reaction was just as entertaining, and we gathered up some of the best:
I don’t agree with the man of the match choice . The umpire who gave this short run should have been man of the match.
Short Run nahin tha. And that was the difference.— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag)
Why would you not send in Mayank? Fatigue is the only reason I can imagine. I always prefer a batter whose hitting muscles are warm.
— Snehal Pradhan (@SnehalPradhan)
Tonight I was out next to the ground for the final few overs when Stoinis was smacking it. The virtual crowd noise in the stadium without a crowd was so good!
Almost as real as the real thing!Bravo,
— Kevin Pietersen (@KP24)
Jordan and Stoinis. Stoinis and Jordan. One likes last overs, the other...... nightmare time!
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha)
Easy picking MOM today Marcus Stoinis , any thoughts ..?
— S.Badrinath (@s_badrinath)
In Stoinis vs Mayank match... collected two points. What an incredible game
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash)
for 'Outstanding Lead Actor' in a 'Drama' nomination, please.
— Annesha Ghosh (@ghosh_annesha)
Stoinis moved Rabada just a smidge before that last ball. And straight into his hands. Love this game
— Gaurav Kapur (@gauravkapur)
so much fun compared to the nonsense we have been watching on prime time news over the last month. what a nail biting finish. Stoinis played well but the best innings came from and .
Can you see the common factor....it helps— Harsh Goenka (@hvgoenka)
Marcus Stoinis you beauty! Did it with the bat. Now again with the ball. Bring on the super over!
— Aadil Bandukwala (@aadil)
In Stoinis vs Mayank match... collected two points. What an incredible game
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash)
"It was a magical innings from Mayank!" -
— Kings XI Punjab (@lionsdenkxip)
Mayank will be feeling sorry for himself. He went for the glory shot and suddenly match became a lottery. DC may have never thought it would be such a easy .
— R P Singh रुद्र प्रताप सिंह (@rpsingh)
Mayank Agarwal-- brilliant innings but the adrenaline got the better of him. Percentage shot was needed with one run to get in two deliveries.
— Sumanth Raman (@sumanthraman)
Interesting choice with Rahul! Pooran? Guess Mayank is out of gas
— Gautam Bhimani (@gbhimani)
What a knock from Mayank. It Was slow and steady, ran the hard 2's and just kept picking boundaries at the right time. Delhi lucky that this is into the super over now. Game on
— Hemang Badani (@hemangkbadani)
Mayank Agarwal today:
First 44 balls : 48 runs (SR : 109.09)
Last 16 balls : 41 runs (SR : 256.25)— Umang Pabari (@UPStatsman)
Missed Mayank Agrawal in Super over! Many up and down for Delhi but definitely Stoinis made the day for Delhi.
— Sukant Kadam (@sukant9993)
Feature image courtesy: Twitter /Delhi