IPL 2018, Match 26, DD v KKR: Daredevils Return to Wining Ways Against Kolkata Knight Riders

After a disastrous few games for the Delhi Daredevils, they finally came back to winning ways winning the 26^th match of the tournament quite comprehensively by 55 runs.

Courtesy a sensational knock of 93 off 40 deliveries, Delhi registered the highest total of 219/5 in the tournament. Prithvi Shaw also gave brilliant support with a fluent 66.

After electing the toss and bowling first, Delhi Daredevils got off to a brilliant start. Openers Prithvi Shaw and comeback man, Colin Munro struck some exceptional shots in the powerplay to get Delhi off to a flying start. Munro scored 33 off just 18 deliveries which included four fours and a couple of sixes before being castled by youngster Shivam Mavi.

Prithvi Shaw also struck some exquisite shots to get going. On the other hand, skipper Shreyas Iyer began terrifically. Shaw reached his maiden half-century and went on to score 62 off 44 deliveries. He smashed a terrific flicked six off Mitchell Johnson which went sailing over the boundary ropes. He scored 62 off 44 deliveries which included seven fours and a couple of sixes.

Despite the good start, the late impetus was, however, provided by Shreyas Iyer.

It was some extraordinary hitting by Iyer which helped Delhi go past the 200-mark. The right-handed middle-order batsman was at his supreme best, as he took on the KKR bowler with utmost disdain. He smashed sixes at will and the count eventually went to ten. He remained unbeaten on 93 off 40 deliveries which were studded with three fours and ten hits over the fence.

It was out of the ordinary hitting by Iyer. The captaincy burden might have shrugged on his batting performance too. He looked in good touch in the previous matches. However, today’s knock was simply extraordinary especially given the fact that Delhi has been pushed to the corner in the tournament so far.

Kolkata required a sensational start to get anywhere close to the target of 219. Sunil Narine and Chris Lynn got off to a steady start, as Narine smashed a couple of sixes, to begin with.

However, Lynn got dismissed on the final 5^th delivery of the 2^nd over. It was Glenn Maxwell who castled the hard-hitter with faster delivery.

Robin Uthappa and Nitish Rana also feel in quick succession, as Kolkata were reduced to 33/3. Sunil Narine smashed a nine-ball 26 which included a boundary and three sixes.

However, he too got dismissed, as Kolkata were down to 46/4. Captain Dinesh Karthik got going, but he failed to smash the boundaries which never really allowed Kolkata to get close to the required run rate. The rate kept climbing, and in the end, it was a road too far.

Andre Russell struck some lusty blows, to begin with, and raced off to 43 off 17 deliveries. Shubhman Gill also provided a good supporting role which allowed Kolkata to hand in after the match.

However, a couple of tight overs by Amit Mishra and Rahul Tewatia pushed the required rate up to 25. During the later stages, the Delhi bowlers were all over Kolkata. Following the dismissal of Andre Russell, Avesh Khan was seen giving him a fiery send-off. He exhibited after the dismissal which eventually ended Kolkata’s resistance. Here is the video

Very cheap behavior by Avesh Khan after taking Russell's wicket. Have some class man. Good on Gavaskar to call him out. #DDvKKR #IPL2018
https://t.co/dM1KBuVt09

— Vaibhav Patle (@vaibhav_patle) April 27, 2018

Delhi eventually won by 55 runs to end their losing drought.

Brief Scores

Delhi Daredevils 219/5 in 20 overs (Shreyas Iyer 93, Prithvi Shaw 63, Andre Russell 1/28)

Kolkata Knight Riders 164/9 in 20 overs (Andre Russell 44, Glenn Maxwell 2/22, Amit Mishra 2/23)

Delhi Daredevils won by 55 runs