Internet Desk: Brilliant half centuries from Sam Billings (54 from 34) and Karun Nair (68 from 50) helped Delhi Daredevils cruise to a comfortable 28 runs win over Kolkata Knight Riders in Match 26 of Indian Premier League at the Feroz Shah Kotla on Saturday.
Chasing a target of 187 runs to win, the Knight Riders were bundled out for 159 runs in 18.3 overs. Robin Uthappa’s lone battle of 72 runs off 52 balls went in vain. For Daredevils Zaheer Khan and Carlos Braithwaite took 3 wickets each. The win took Daredevils to the second spot in IPL table with 8 points from 6 matches while Knight Riders dropped down a place to third place with 8 points from 7 matches.
Zaheer Khan gave Daredevils a huge breakthrough getting rid off in form Knight Riders captain Gautam Gambhir who was caught by Shreyas Iyer for 6 runs.
Piyush Chawla promoted up the order as pinch hitter did not last long as he was adjudged leg before to Zaheer Khan. Chawla scored only 8 runs. Yousuf Pathan too had a short stay at the crease.He departed trying to pull Braithwaite but was caught by Amit Mishra fielding at short fine leg. Knight Riders was 58/3 after 7.5 overs.
Surya Kumar Yadav and Uthappa tried to stitch a partnership together. The Knight Riders vice captain was playing confidently before a splendid effort from Shreyas Iyer sent him back off Braithwaite. Yadav scored 21 runs off 13 balls that included a four and a six.
Sathish soon followed Surya Kumar Yadav, as he could manage to score only 6 runs. Knight Riders were reduced to 107/5 after 13.3 overs.
Andre Russell who came in at No.7 played some extravagant shots. Together with Uthappa the Jamaican put on 44 runs off only 21 balls.
Robin Uthappa slog swept Amit Mishra for a huge six of the first ball of over 16. He followed it up with a reverse sweep. Russell joined the action as he swept the leg spinner for another four. But the leg spinner striked back with a brilliant caught and bowl to send Russell back for 17 runs. Knight Riders was 151/6 after 17 overs with Knight Riders still needing 36 runs off 18 balls.
Morris ran Jason Holder out as he tried to snatch a quick single. Knight Riders was 152/7.
But the South African on his birthday got the breakthrough Daredevils needed as Robin Uthappa gave a simple catch to Karun Nair. Uthappa scored 72 runs off 52 balls that included 6 fours and 2 sixes. Knight Riders was 153/8.
Sunil Narine ran himself out trying to get a run. Zaheer Khan snapped up Umesh Yadav to lead Daredevils to a 27 runs win. The win also meant the home team took a sweet revenge over the Knight Riders who beat them at home in the second match of IPL 9.
Earlier brilliant maiden fifty from Sam Billings (54 off 34) and a cameo from Carlos Braithwaite (34 off 11) helped Delhi Daredevils post a competitive total of 186/7 against Knight Riders. Karun Nair too contributed with a well made 68 runs.
Daredevils were in a spot at 32/3 after 5 overs. But a partnership of 105 runs for the fourth wicket between Nair and Billings pulled Daredevils out of trouble.
Andre Russell gave a double breakthrough for Knight Riders in his first over, getting Shreyas Iyer plumbed in front of the wicket for a duck. The Jamaican induced Quinton de Cock to play a pull shot, only to find Brad Hogg. Daredevils were 2/2 after the first over.
Surprise inclusion Jason Holder, who shared the new ball with Russell went for consecutive fours by Sanju Samson. But Samson’s stay at the crease did not last long as he was adjudged leg before to Sunil Narine for 15 runs. Daredevils were in deep trouble with 32/3.
Sam Billings, who was making his IPL debut, played with confidence. The England cricketer played some confident strokes all around the wicket.
Karun Nair brought up his fifty with a sweep off Sunil Narine. He followed it up with two more boundaries in the same over. Daredevils were 120/3 after 15 overs.
Billings who gained in confidence hit the first six of the match. The England all-rounder swept Jason Holder to the stands.
Nair too got into the act as he hit a brilliant six straight down the ground off Umesh Yadav to bring up the century stand. Umesh Yadav striked back as he sent back Nair, getting him out leg before. Nair played a brilliant knock scoring 68 off 50 balls with 9 fours and a six.
Hero of last match against Gujarat Lions, Chris Morris was bowled for a duck by Umesh Yadav. Daredevils were 137/5.
But a cameo from World T20 final hero Carlos Braithwaite took Daredevils to a commendable total at the end. The burly Caribbean scored a quick fire 34 runs off 11 balls. His knock included 3 fours and 3 sixes. Billings too brought up his fifty off only 33 balls with 3 fours and 2 six. Billings eventually got dismissed as he misread a slower one from Yadav. The Englishman scored 54 runs.
Braithwaite hit a six off the first ball of the last over bowled by Russell. But the Knight Riders all rounder got Braithwaite in the next delivery as he was unsuccessful trying to scoop the ball over Narine fielding at short fine leg. He scored 34 off 11 balls with 3 fours and 3 six.
Rishav Pant was run out of the last ball of the innings as Daredevils finished their innings with 186/8.
Gautam Gambhir won the toss and decided to bowl first. Knight Riders made three changes to the side that played against Mumbai Indians. Jason Holder, Brad Hogg and Piyush Chawla are in for Chris Lynn, Shakib al Hasan and Jaidev Unadkat.
Daredevils on the other hand made 4 changes. England’s Sam Billings , Carlos Braithwaite, Shreyas Iyer and Md Shami makes it to the playing XI.