Top-class death bowling by Kings XI Punjab bowlers helped them edge past Delhi Daredevils by nine runs in the 36th match of the VIVO Indian Premier League. Having set a 182-run target, the two Sharmas – Mohit and Sandeep – stepped up to the task. They gave away just 57 runs from their eight overs, bowling a total of 20 dot balls.
The visitors were in control at the halfway stage having piled on 91 runs for the loss of one wicket. Needing another 91 from 60 balls, the visitors brought the equation down to 50 from the last six overs despite losing Sanju Samson (49). KC Cariappa removed the other set batsman, Karun Nair for 23 in the 16th over and the next over saw Sam Billings depart for just six. Marcus Stoinis, who earlier struck a half-century and had removed openers Quninton de Kock (52) and Samson, put his team ahead with the wicket of Billings. Despite the quick fall of wickets, the Daredevils still had Carlos Brathwaite and Chris Morris, but this time even the two expert finishers failed.
Having been hit for a four and a six by Brathwaite, Sandeep made an excellent return with a short ball that Brathwaite hit straight to deep mid-wicket. Needing 28 runs from 12 balls, Mohit then bowled a stunning penultimate over. Mixing his slower deliveries with full length yorkers, he effectively sealed the game by conceding just three runs.
When Sandeep charged in to bowl the final over, the Daredevils needed an improbable 25 runs. Morris hit a six off the fourth ball and young Rishabh Pant, batting at No.7, struck a boundary off the final ball, but the visitors still fell short.
Earlier, Hashim Amla’s first IPL stint ended rather abruptly after the South African batting star, walking in at one-drop, was run out after facing just five balls. His dismissal notwithstanding, the Kings posted their highest total this season with Stoinis and Wriddhiman Saha scoring half-centuries. Openers Murali Vijay and Stoinis nearly added 50 runs for the first wicket before Vijay was caught brilliantly by Brathwaite off Chris Morris.
The Daredevils opted to open the bowling with Shahbaz Nadeem and the left-arm spinner gave away just one in his first over before his second was hit for two fours. With Amla getting out in the seventh over, Kings were reduced to 48/2, but Saha gave fine company to Stoinis as the two began to resurrect the innings.
Stionis reached his maiden half-century in the IPL in the 14th over, but got out two balls later. With his partner back in the hut, Saha upped the ante and smashed Zaheer Khan for three straight boundaries after earlier hitting two boundaries in Amit Mishra’s third over. The Kings smashed 76 in the last six overs as they crossed the 180-run mark.
Brief score
Kings XI Punjab 181/5 in 20 overs (Marcus Stoinis 52, Wriddhiman Saha 52, Chris Morris 2/30)
Delhi Daredevils 172/5 in 20 overs (Quinton 52, Sanju Samson 49, Marcus Stoinis 3/40) by 9 runs
Man of the Match: Marcus Stoinis for his 52 off 30 balls & 3/40
