DPL 2026: 'We planned to take the match deep,' says Ashwini after Purani Dilli's win over North Delhi
New Delhi, Aug 14
Purani Dilli 6 batter Ashwini Chillar revealed that the team decided to take the match deep and remain in the competition after they pulled off a stunning last-over victory against North Delhi Strikers in the Delhi Premier League 2026 on Friday, recovering from a precarious position to snatch a thrilling four-wicket win.
Reflecting on the memorable victory and his crucial contribution with the bat, Ashwini Chillar expressed his delight at getting the team over the line through calculated planning.
"Winning a match like this brings immense joy. We had a clear plan; if we wanted to win, we needed to take the game deep and keep wickets in hand till the end so everyone coming down could contribute 10 to 15 runs. That was my mindset, especially after coming out to bat early today," Chillar said after the match.
Discussing the atmosphere within the squad and the mindset surrounding batting combinations, Chillar highlighted the team's readiness to seize key moments.
"In the initial matches, players like Anuj and Lakra were scoring the runs. The mindset in the dugout has always been that whenever any player gets an opportunity at a new position, they have to step up, make it count, and win the game for the team," he explained.
Despite playing a crucial knock of 45 off 36 balls, Chillar admitted to a touch of disappointment at not staying until the very last ball to finish the chase himself.
"It was definitely disappointing. I couldn't reach my fifty or be there to hit the winning runs, so that part felt a bit sad," he added.
Earlier in the match, North Delhi Strikers put up a competitive total of 186/6 in 20 overs after being put in to bat. Captain Sarthak Ranjan (59 off 37) and Yash Bhatia (59 off 41) stitched together a solid 61-run partnership, while Yash Dabas provided a late flourish with a quickfire 36 off 22 balls.
In response, Purani Dilli 6 found themselves in deep trouble early in the chase, slumping to 53/4. However, a heroic 105-run partnership for the fifth wicket between Lalit Yadav (64 off 41) and Ashwini Chillar (45 off 36) swung the momentum back in their favor.
Although Chillar was dismissed in the final over with seven runs required, Pankaj Jaswal delivered an unbelievable finish, smashing back-to-back sixes off his first two deliveries to seal a remarkable victory for Purani Dilli 6.
— IANS
Reader Comments
The partnership between Lalit Yadav and Ashwini Chillar was the turning point. From 53/4 to chasing 187 - that's proper comeback material. Delhi Premier League is really producing some exciting cricket and young talent. 👏
Honestly, I feel for Chillar - scoring 45 off 36 and then missing out on the winning moment must be bittersweet. But that's cricket, individual milestones don't matter when the team wins. Great maturity shown by him in the interview though. Well played Purani Dilli! 💪
That 105-run partnership was the match-changer, no doubt. But I wish Sarthak Ranjan's 59 didn't go in vain - he played a captain's knock. This is what makes the DPL special, every game has so much drama! Can't wait for the next match. 🎉
People will remember Jaswal's sixes, but honestly, this was a team effort. Chillar's planning, Lalit's anchoring, and then the finisher's brilliance - this is how T20 cricket should be played. Also appreciate Chillar admitting he was disappointed about missing his fifty - that shows you care about the team more than personal records. Respect! 🙌
The DPL keeps getting better each season! The way Purani Dilli 6 kept calm under pressure shows the bench strength in Delhi cricket. Also, both Sarthak and Yash scoring fifties for North Delhi shows this wasn't a one-sided contest - it was a proper fight till the
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.