NEW DELHI: A night that started with Punjab Kings threatening to knock Delhi Capitals out of the competition ended with a young all-rounder named Madhav Tiwary, finishing the chase with composure under pressure and speaking as if one were already comfortable. IPL SpotlightHalf-centuries were scored by the captain. Akshar Patel And David MillerDelhi Capitals scored a thrilling three-wicket win over Punjab Kings in a high-scoring IPL clash on Monday, chasing down 211 in just 19 overs to keep their slim playoff hopes alive.
Priyansh Arya scored 56 runs off 33 balls and added 78 runs with Prabhasmaran Singh inside seven overs, Punjab Kings achieved an even bigger total. When captain Shreyas Iyer opened the middle overs with an unbeaten 59 off 36 and Cooper Connolly with 38, PBKS posted 210 for five.Delhi’s reply initially stumbled at 74 for four, but Aksar and Miller rebuilt the innings with patience and power. Just when the equation threatened to tighten again, Ashutosh Sharma and young all-rounder Madhav Tiwary completed the chase with superb composure.For Madhav, it was one of those nights where everything seemed to click — two wickets with the ball and a nervous cameo chasing the pressure.After the match, Madhav said, “This is my second year in the IPL. I think I am quite used to the environment.” “The management and all the seniors are very supportive. You can go to them anytime and ask anything or do anything. But now that I’m used to it, I have to control my nerves. It’s a bat and ball game. I was just focusing on my basics. Things turned out well and that’s lucky.”The 22-year-old revealed that batting was always his first love after growing up in Indore, although his coaches pushed him to become a complete cricketer.“I loved batting. I wanted to be a batsman. Bowling was very tiring,” he said with a smile. “Your body is used a lot. I find it easy to bat. You can bat as long as you want.”Madhav credits former India cricketer and coach Umay Khurasia with shaping his all-round game.“My head coach made sure I picked up both. He played a lot. Cricket. He knew its benefits. When I realized how important the combination of the two is, I started working on both equally.The composure he showed with Ashutosh Sharma under pressure reflects this maturity. The duo, who knew each other since before the IPL, never seemed rushed despite the mounting pressure.“We had a clear understanding of what was needed,” Madhav said. “The way the game was going, the ball was coming to the bat well. We were very comfortable. We have played together and we know each other from that place. The atmosphere was very cool.”Even the noise of the packed stadium barely registered to him.“When I was in the middle, I couldn’t really hear the crowd. I was in the zone and I just wanted to win the game,” he said. “Ashu and I were talking and concentrating on the match. I didn’t realize when the crowd was shouting.”Earlier in the evening, Madhav had also impressed with the ball, picking up two wickets while sticking to simple schemes at a level that benefited discipline.“It wasn’t that easy. If you hit a good length, it helps you. I was focused on hitting the right places. Luckily I bowled well and got two wickets, which was good.”Despite the impressive performance, the youngster remains committed to his ambitions.He said that obviously this is my wish. I want to play for India and be the best. “I still have a lot of work to do. I need to refine and improve my game.”Behind a calm demeanor is a strong support system. Madhav spoke warmly about his family and the sacrifices he made to pursue cricket seriously.“My father is involved in the transportation business. I have always had a lot of support from my family. I have never lacked facilities,” he said. “My mother doesn’t know much about cricket, but the support has always been there.”For Delhi Capitals, the win keeps the playoff equation alive. For Madhav Tiwari, it may well be remembered as the night he actually arrived.
