Punjab push past dismal Delhi
11 Apr 2010
The Delhi Daredevils failed to bat out their 20 overs, falling for 111 in the final over to gift a win to the resurgent Kings XI Punjab.
The Sri Lankan pairing of Mahela Jayawardene and Kumar Sangakkara [with 38 and 33 respectively] once again capped a disciplined bowling performance with determined batting to give Punjab their fourth win of the IPL, and third in four matches. However, this was made easier by Delhi’s performance, which earlier had home fans hanging their heads in shame.
Variable bounce, turn and a lack of pace made batting difficult, and the Punjab bowlers capitalised. Delhi, subsequent to poor running and shoddy shot selection, were left defending a below-par total even by the difficult wicket’s standards.
Despite the golden duck of Virender Sehwag, Delhi flew to 39 in under four overs until Gautam Gambhir and David Warner were run out within three balls of each other. Runs then dried up, thirty-nine for one in 3.3 becoming 58 for four in 10 overs. The Punjab spinners bowled 12 overs between them for just 55 runs, conceding only two boundaries in the remainder of the innings and working Delhi out of the game.
Noteably, only Gambhir’s quick-fire 26 was scored at greater than a run a ball, the rest of the batsmen absorbing strike and capitulating without significant contributions.
Punjab played a similarly measured innings, but the anchorage of Jayawardene and Sangakkara for Punjab proved the difference, both scoring with strike rates upward of 100.
Standouts Irfan Pathan and Piyush Chawla [Man of the Match] performed with the ball for the second consecutive week. They, together with the solid batting of Jayawardene and Sangakkara, have proved integral to the resurrection of respectability in Punjab’s campaign.
Delhi 111 all out (19.4 overs)
Gautam Gambhir 26, Irfan Pathan 3-24, Piyush Chawla 2-16
Punjab 112-3 (18.4 overs)
Mahela Jayawardene 38, Kumar Sangakkara 33, Paul Collingwood 2-19
Punjab win by seven wickets
Click here for a full scorecard.
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