Despite a high score like 195, Punjab Kings drained in the match and ended on a losing note against Delhi Capitals at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. Delhi put up a big fight to chase it down with six wickets in their kitty. On this occasion, former Indian pacer Ashish Nehra offered his opinion regarding Punjab’s loss.

Despite putting up 196 runs on the board, Punjab Kings failed to defend the target. The likes of Mohammed Shami and the Australian pace duo of Jhye Richardson and Riley Meredith went for plenty as Delhi Capitals chased down the target quite convincingly.

Punjab didn’t do things that are in their control – Ashish Nehra

In the wake of it, Ashish Nehra pointed out some errors that Punjab made during their matches. Nehra said that KL Rahul’s strategy of introducing overseas bowlers late had costed the game. Riley Meredith came to bowl after the 10th over, and Mohammed Shami’s four overs were scattered.

“See, there are a few things which every player wants to do in this format. You like to bowl well, bat well, field brilliantly. You have good or bad days, it’s a common thing in this game. But there are certain things which are in your control, at least that you can do. You didn’t give early overs to your most expensive overseas bowlers.

Meredith came after 10 overs and picked the wicket of Steve Smith in his first over. Even Shami bowled four overs in four different spells. You preferred Arshdeep to begin with. So, where will you control the game from – frontend or the backend?” Ashish Nehra said in an exclusive with Cricbuzz.

Opting for four different bowlers in the first four overs was also a blister. Ashish Nehra also said that players should control whatever is there in their hands, and they should utilize the given resources.

“PBKS messed up their bowling plans. They played four different bowlers to start with. Such things are mostly done by those sides who lack resources. So, I think, that’s the biggest mistake they committed,” Nehra concluded.

Punjab will take on Sunrisers Hyderabad in their next game at MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on 21st April. Sunrisers Hyderabad are yet to open their account in IPL 2021.