Photographs: BCCI
A late blitz from JP Duminy along with some vital contributions firstly from Mayank Agarwal and skipper Dinesh Karthik helped Delhi Daredevils register their first win of the tournament, by beating Kolkata Knight Riders by four wickets.
Chasing a competitive 167 for victory, Delhi were off to a positive start largely due to Agarwal’s clean hitting.
However, KKR foughtback by picking up wickets, leaving Karthik and Duminy to do the job for them.
Kolkata off to a nightmarish start
Image: Mohammad Shamu celebrates after dismissing Jacques KallisPhotographs: BCCI
Earlier, after opting to bat first, Kolkata were off to a worst start possible starts, losing both their openers for duck.
Mohammad Shami accounted for Jacques Kallis’, while Nathan Coulter-Nile had Gautam Gambhir walking back in the second over of the innings.
It was Gambhir’s second consecutive duck of IPL 7, after he hit straight to Duminy at fine-leg.
Kallis meanwhile was undone by a beautiful outswinger, which was gobbled up by Ross Taylor at first slip.
Pandey, Uthappa revive KKR innings
Image: Manish Pandey is clean bowled by Shahbaz NadeemPhotographs: BCCI
Robin Uthappa and Manish Pandey then started the rebuilding phase for Kolkata. Pandey was the first one to hit the boundary boards off Shami, which released the pressure applied by the Delhi bowlers.
Pandey then latched onto Jimmy Neesham, stroking him for two boundaries in his opening over.
The duo added 64 runs for third wicket, before indecision cost Pandey his wicket.
Pandey was in two minds, after hitting left-arm spinner Shahbaz Nadeem for consecutive boundaries, and was neither back nor front as he played one back onto his stumps.
Uthappa, Shakib up the ante
Image: Robin Uthappa reacts after reaching his half-centuryPhotographs: BCCI
Kolkata innings got the much-needed momentum, only after the arrival of Shakib al Hasan, who combined well with Uthappa.
Uthappa latched onto a short delivery from Nadeem and dispatched it for a boundary, while Shakib smoked a huge six through deep midwicket off the same bowler.
Uthappa continued his hitting spree, this time Neesham who leaked 13 runs from his over.
The right-hander soon reached his half-century with a single off Jaydev Undakat.
Uthappa soon departed, but Shakib’s big hitting ensured that KKR cross the 150-run mark.
Delhi lose Vijay early
Image: Murali Vijay is run outPhotographs: BCCI
Delhi Daredevils too were off to a poor start, losing Murali Vijay in the opening over itself for nought.
Vijay tried to sneak a non-existent single, and was run out courtesy of a direct hit from Manish Pandey.
The other opener, Mayank Agarwal was aggressive from the outset, smashing Vinay Kumar for consecutive boundaries.
Agarwal then hit Morne Morkel crisply over mid-off for another boundary. The bowler had the last laugh as he removed Agarwal five balls later.
Ross Taylor didn’t survive long too as he was cleaned up by Kallis for 6.
Karthik, Duminy combine well
Image: Dinesh Karthik reacts after completing his half-centuryPhotographs: BCCI
Dinesh Karthik, who was dismissed off the first ball he faced in the first match, ensured that the same is not repeated and played a responsible innings here.
Karthik never let the bowlers settle as he hit the boundary boards at regular intervals. He smoked Kallis for six and boundary and then repeated the same result off leg-spinner Piyush Chawla.
HE got good company in the form of JP Duminy, who not only managed to hit the boundaries, but also managed to convert the singles and twos.
Karthik soon reached his half-century with a boundary off Shakib off just 36 balls.
Karthik was eventually dismissed by Sunil Narine, who had him LBW against the run of play.
Duminy seals the thriller
Image: JP Duminy and Nathan Coulter-Nile celebrates after winning the gamePhotographs: BCCI
After Karthik’s departure, Duminy took it on him to see his team cross the finishing line.
With the game precariously placed at 118-4, Delhi got another jolt in the form of Manoj Tiwary, who was caught at third man for 8.
Jimmy Neesham did use the long handle to decent effect, but it was Duminy who latched on to Morkel, hitting him for two sixes and boundary to bring Delhi close to victory.
In the end Duminy sealed the game with a six, with three balls to spare.
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