Indo-Asian News Service
New Delhi, April 30: Delhi Daredevils produced a thorough all-round performance to notch up their fourth win, beating Kolkata Knight Riders by 27 runs in an Indian Premier League (IPL) clash here Saturday.
Delhi recovered from a poor start to post a strong total of 186/8. It was enough as they claimed wickets at regular intervals to bowl out KKR for 159 in 18.3 overs. It moved Delhi to second in the standings, with eight points from six matches, demoting KKR to third, due to an inferior run rate.
Delhi skipper Zaheer Khan (3/21) led the way for a disciplined bowling performance. West Indies’ World T20 hero Carlos Brathwaite (3/47) also chipped in with the ball after hitting a quick-fire 34 while batting.
A 106-run fourth wicket partnership between Karun Nair (68) and Sam Billings (54) shaped Delhi’s innings at the Ferozeshah Kotla stadium.
KKR got into early trouble while chasing, losing skipper Gautam Gambhir and pinch-hitter Piyush Chawla. Gambhir (6) produced a leading edge at cover off Zaheer Khan in the third over. His departure allowed the introduction of Chawla (8), who was pushed up in search of some quick runs.
But it flopped as he was also claimed by Zaheer to reduce KKR to 33/2 in five overs.
Opener Robin Uthappa (72) carried the team forward but lacked support. Hard-hitter Yusuf Pathan (10) went cheaply to compound their problems.