Senior India off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin experienced dream and nightmare in a space of six deliveries as he scalped two batsmen and then suffered a suspected shoulder dislocation during Delhi Capitals’ IPL XIII opening game versus Kings XI Punjab at the Dubai International Stadium on Sunday.

Brought in during the final Powerplay over, Ashwin first got Karun Nair and then bowled Nicholas Pooran through the gates, but a needless dive to stop a single off the last delivery of that over saw him land awkwardly on his left arm with the shoulder taking a jerk.

Writhing in pain, Ashwin’s jersey became a temporary sling as he left the field along with Capitals’ head physio Patrick Farhart.

A shoulder dislocation could rule Ashwin out of the tournament, which would then be a massive jolt for the Delhi Capitals.

Ashwin’s figures were 2/2 off the only over he could bowl. Not just by the figures, but the intelligence with which he was bowling could well have made life even tougher for the Kings XI batsmen. The Kings XI were wobbling at 35/3 after six overs when Ashwin was on his way out of the field.

Ashwin looked to be bowling with intent and purpose. But his needless act only allowed Kings XI to regroup, before Mayank Agarwal unleashed those terrific shots that took the game to a Super Over.