Punjab Kings had looked poised to impose their will in the opening stages, but Delhi Capitals’ chase took a complete turn in the death overs—ending with a composed finish by young all-rounder Madhav Tiwari. The 22-year-old calmly saw the job through under pressure, sounding as if the spotlight in the IPL already feels familiar.
Delhi Capitals chase 211 to keep playoff hopes alive
Delhi Capitals secured a thrilling three-wicket victory over Punjab Kings in a high-scoring IPL match on Monday. Chasing a target of 211, they reached the mark in 19 overs, keeping their slim playoff chances on life-support.
Punjab Kings set a challenging 210/5 after a big middle-overs push
Punjab Kings began to build momentum after Priyansh Arya provided an explosive start. Arya struck 56 off 33 balls, and within seven overs he combined with Prabhsimran Singh to add a further 78 runs. From there, the innings stayed competitive thanks to captain Shreyas Iyer.
- Punjab Kings finished on 210 for five.
- Priyansh Arya scored 56 off 33 balls.
- Prabhsimran Singh contributed during a 78-run burst inside seven overs.
- Shreyas Iyer anchored the middle with an unbeaten 59 off 36 balls.
- Cooper Connolly added 38 runs to round out the total.
Early hiccups, then a rebuild: Axar, Miller, and the finishing duo
Delhi’s response did not start smoothly, slipping to 74 for four. That is where the innings gained direction. Axar Patel and David Miller steadied the chase, combining composure with power to keep the required run-rate within reach.
Still, the match tightened again when momentum needed to be seized decisively. Ashutosh Sharma and Madhav Tiwari took control of the final stretch, completing the chase with impressive calm as the pressure mounted.
- Delhi Capitals were 74 for four early in the chase.
- Axar Patel and David Miller rebuilt the innings with poise.
- Ashutosh Sharma and Madhav Tiwari finished the chase under tense circumstances.
- Delhi reached 211 in 19 overs to win by three wickets.
Madhav Tiwari’s calm in the spotlight: nerves, basics, and belief
After the game, Madhav described the night as one where multiple things clicked. For him, the chase felt manageable because the environment no longer intimidates like it did earlier in his IPL journey.
“This is my second year in the IPL. I feel I have become quite used to the environment,” Madhav said. “The management and all the seniors are super supportive. You can go to them anytime to ask anything or do anything. But now that I am used to it, I had to control my nerves. It is a game of bat and ball. I was just focusing on my basics. Things turned out well and that is fortunate.”
Growing up in Indore: batting first, bowling later
Madhav also opened up about how his cricket path started in Indore, where batting had always been his first love. Coaches pushed him to develop into a more complete player, but his natural comfort still sits heavily with batting.
- He said he wanted to become a batsman when he was younger.
- He admitted bowling felt tiring because the body takes more strain.
- He added that batting is easier for him, and he enjoys the idea of staying at the crease as long as possible.
Turning into an all-rounder: the role of Amay Khurasiya
Madhav credited former India cricketer and coach Amay Khurasiya for helping shape his all-round skill set.
“My head coach made sure that I pick up both things,” he explained. “He played a lot of cricket. He knew the benefits of it. When I understood how important the combination of both is, I started working equally hard on both.”
Partnership mindset with Ashutosh Sharma
The maturity shown alongside Ashutosh Sharma in the closing overs reflected a clear understanding of what needed to happen. Madhav and Ashutosh, who know each other from before the IPL, did not appear rushed even as the target loomed.
“We had a clear understanding of what was required,” Madhav said. “The way the game was going on, the ball was coming nicely onto the bat. We were very comfortable. We have played together and we know each other from the same place. The atmosphere was very chill.”
He also described how the noise from the crowd barely registered while he was in the middle.
“When I was in the middle, I could not 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 focused on the match. I did not realise when the crowd was shouting.”
Two wickets earlier: sticking to a simple plan
Madhav’s calm finishing was matched by a disciplined bowling display earlier in the evening. He picked up two wickets by trusting straightforward plans on a surface that rewarded accurate execution.
“It was not that easy. If you hit a good length, it helped you. I was focused on hitting the right areas. Luckily I bowled well and got two wickets, which was nice.”
Ambitions remain clear, but progress comes first
Despite the breakthrough performance, Madhav kept his feet firmly on the ground about what comes next.
“Obviously, that is my ambition. I want to play for India and become the best,” he said. “I still have a lot of work to do. I need to improve and get more sharpness in my game.”
Family backing and the sacrifices behind the journey
Madhav highlighted the support structure behind his rise, speaking warmly about his family and how sacrifices helped him pursue cricket seriously.
“My father is in the transportation business. I have always received a lot of support from my family. I have never lacked facilities,” he said. “My mother does not 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 could be remembered as the night he truly made his arrival.
