Kings XI Punjab Sweep Aside Delhi Daredevils

16 April, 2010 |

Delhi Daredevils v Kings XI Punjab, 11th April 2010

When Kings XI Punjab stepped onto the field, it was supposed to be just another day at the Ferozeshah Kotla ground in Delhi. But there was no missing the spring in their step. The Lions soon inflicted a humiliating defeat on the Delhi Daredevils on a crumbling pitch after bowling them out for 111, a score whose multiples are affectionately called ‘nelson’ in western culture - It’s a superstition that things will start to go wrong, based on the legendary General Nelson’s battle.

Run Outs the Delhi Bane

Apart from Virender Sehwag’s wicket off the first ball he faced, off Pathan, the Daredevils raced to 39 off 3.4 overs, making it seem like a recovery. However, Gambhir’s and David Warner’s run outs in the space of 3 balls provided little excitement for Delhi-ites while Punjab’s fans were delighted. When Paul Collingwood was adjudged leg-before off Piyush Chawla, the hosts were nervously placed at 55 for 4 off 7.3 overs and it seemed that the rot had set in.

Daredevils’ Middle Order Succumbs

At the Daredevils’ total of 81 for 7 off 14.6 overs, it was certain that only a blitzkrieg would rescue them. Soon, Kings XI Punjab pushed home the advantage to wind up their innings for 111. For the Chandigarh-based franchise, Pathan took 3 wickets while Piyush Chawla had 2 and Love Ablish, Yuvraj and ‘Rusty’ Theron one each. Chawla’s dream spell continues. He unleashed a superb googly to get rid of left-handed Vettori where the New Zealander found himself being completely beaten as he played inside out. During the match against the Mumbai Indians, Chawla’s wrong ‘un was also not read by Sachin Tendulkar, therefore highlighting a potent weapon in Chawla’s armoury. The spinner-allrounder is in the Indian team for the Twenty20 World Cup starting on 30th April 2010.

Kings XI Punjab Chase Cautiously

Kings XI Punjab chased well, opening with Irfan Pathan, in an apparent move to better the Net Run Rate. Contrary to plan, it was his opening partner Mahela Jayawardene who provided the runs in his usual style of picking the gaps while the ball was new. The Sri Lankan also launched into a six at any available opportunity. Pathan was the first to go with the team score at 41 off 6.4 overs. Again, the Kings XI Punjab players had been watchful because of the way the pitch had played earlier; they certainly did not regret losing out on fast runs during the Powerplay by which time they had put on only 39 runs.

Sangakkara, Yuvraj Shine

Sangakkara joined Jayawardene and the latter was out for 38 (4 fours, 1 six) with the team score at 65 off 10.6 overs. The skipper then joined hands with Yuvraj Singh to take Kings XI Punjab to 110, again getting out just before he could finish the match himself. But the deed was done and all of Punjab saluted an in-form and pro-active captain. Yuvraj Singh in the meantime had displayed sufficient grit with 21 off 25 balls and had even helped the run-rate along by hitting a timely six.

The Finish

Adrian Barath, coming in at number 5 scored the mere two runs required for victory in the company of the southpaw. All in all, a well measured chase of 112 off 18.4 overs, although fans would have been eager at the start of their innings for a faster finish to improve the Net Run Rate. An ambitious view because the conditions did not favour batting and in the end analysis, the Lions had applied themselves extremely well.

Reaching the Peak

Kings XI Punjab now shift their focus to the very picturesque second-home venue, the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association in Dharamshala. Here, they will want to win both matches to keep alive their remote chances of qualifying for the semi-finals. Considering the form they are in, the Lions will want to make a meal of the Deccan Chargers and the Chennai Super Kings whom they play on 16th and 18th April respectively. The objective would be victory first but the ‘meal’ would be the additional of improving the Net Run Rate if it is to prove important at that stage.

Fans will want an easier script but will have to wait as their heroes unwind and yet train hard for the precious last leg of the tournament.