New Delhi: New captain Shreyas Iyer (93 n o, 40b, 3×4, 10×6) led from the front as Delhi Daredevils (DD) scripted a turnaround to defeat Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) by 55 runs at the Feroz Shah Kotla here Friday. It was their first win after three successive defeats.
In a game which former captain Gautam Gambhir not finding a place in the playing XI, Mumbai lad Iyer brought in huge cheer to the side by a knock the outshone the lights at the Kotla.
Chasing a massive target of 220, KKR never got going and half the side were back in the hut even before the completion of half the overs. From then on they were fighting a losing cause.
Even though Andre Russell (44, 30b, 3×4, 4×6) played a cameo it was too difficult for him alone to chase down a target of 220. Besides the Caribbean, only young Shubman Gill (37, 29, 3×4, 1×6) offered some resistance. The duo added 64 runs for the sixth wicket after the visitors were reduced to 77/5 inside 10 overs.
For the hosts, all the bowlers did their job wonderfully with leg-spinner Amit Mishra (2/23) being the pick of their bowlers. He was ably supported by Glenn Maxwell (2/22) and Avesh Khan (2/28).
Earlier, fast-tracked into captaincy, young Iyer led from the front with a scintillating unbeaten half century as the Delhi outfit posted a massive 219 for four after being invited to bat first by KKR.
The 23-year-old Iyer sent the ball soaring over the ropes 10 times in his whirlwind innings after Prithvi Shaw (62, 44b, 7×4, 2×6) became the youngest batsman to score a fifty in IPL. They added 68 runs for the second wicket after Shaw shared a 59-run partnership for the first wicket with Kiwi opener Colin Munro (33, 18b, 4×4, 2×6).
Placed at the bottom of the table, Delhi responded to the grim situation in the best possible manner. Iyer, dropped twice during his knock, creamed off four sixes and a four in the last over bowled by Shivam Mavi (1/58) to finish the innings in style, amassing 29 runs from the last over. The hosts collected 79 runs from the last five overs to end the innings with a flourish. Iyer and Maxwell (27, 18b, 1×4, 2×6) added 72 runs for the fourth wicket. Russell (1/28) bowled well for the visitors.
Brief scores
DD 219/4 (Shreyas Iyer 93 n o, Prithvi Shaw 62; Andre Russell 1/28) beat KKR 164/9 (Andre Russell 44, Shubman Gill 37; Glenn Maxwell 2/22, Amit Mishra 2/23) by 55 runs.
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