The Kolkata Knight Riders improved their record to 2 wins in their first 4 games in this season’s IPL following a dominant display against the Delhi Daredevils. After a dominant performance with the bat, which took them to an imposing score of 200 from their 20 overs, KKR made short work of their opposition. They bowled-out the Daredevils for just 129 after 14.2 overs.
Dinesh Karthik, the captain of the Knight Riders was visibly happy during the post-match presentation. He said, “Touch wood. This is the kind of day you make the moves and they work out. I think the wrist-spinners are picked in the IPL for a purpose. They're doing a good job for us, they're top quality spinners. Days you don't win you sleep and wake up with a lot of thoughts. It's something I'm getting used to. You've got to try and separate your batting and captaincy and keep doing the best that you can.”
Man of the match Nitish Rana, who scored a very well-constructed 59 off 35 balls was joined by the big West Indian Andre Russell to put on an incredible 5th wicket partnership off 61 runs in just 22 deliveries. Russell made 41 of those in 12 balls with half-a-dozen maximums. Russell finished his innings with an unbelievable strike rate of 341.66.
Before the late onslaught, a good foundation for the innings was set by Chris Lynn and Robin Uthappa, who put on 55 for the second wicket in just 30 balls. Lynn, who finished with 31 off 29, was the anchor on one end while Uthappa did the bulk of the heavy hitting. He scored an entertaining 35 off 19 balls.
Rahul Tewatia and Trent Boult were the only two bright spots for Delhi’s bowling line-up. The pair combined for 5 wickets with Tewatia picking up 3 and conceding only 18 runs in his 3 overs. Boult finished with 2 for 29 in his 4 overs.
In reply, the Daredevils had a nightmare start - losing Jason Roy, Shreyas Iyer and Gautham Gambhir in each of the first 3 overs leaving Delhi in all sort of trouble at 24-3.
Youngster Rishab Pant along with Glen Maxwell tried to force an improbable comeback and put on a 4th wicket partnership of 62 in 33 balls but to no avail. Pant was dismissed halfway through the 9th over for 43. Maxwell followed him back a couple of overs later to end Delhi’s hopes of making a comeback.
Pant and Maxwell were the only 2 players to reach double-digits in a shocking performance with the bat by the Delhi Daredevils. They were bowled out convincingly for 129 in 14.2 overs.
Sunil Narine (3 for 18) and Kuldeep Yadav (3 for 32) were the standouts for the KKR bowling attack.