Delhi Daredevils

IPL: Delhi Dare Devils beat Kolkata Knight Riders

The Delhi Daredevils jumped to the top of the Indian Premier League table with a nine-wicket win over the Kolkata Knight Riders in Durban.

Acting captain Gautam Gambhir was unbeaten on 71 as the Daredevils raced to 157 for one with an over to spare after the Knight Riders, anchored by 74 from Morne van Wyk, had reached 153 for four.
The Knight Riders were both desperately poor and desperately unlucky in the field, Brendon McCullum dropping Gambhir when he was on 21 and then when the left-hander did edge to wicket-keeper van Wyk, on 45, he was given not out. Countless other shots flew just wide or short of fielders but the fumbles and drops were again far too high.

South African van Wyk, however, was superb in hitting 74 in 48 deliveries, a rare innings that was full of orthodox drives and precise cuts. It was a complete contrast to McCullum’s efforts, all wild swings of the bat, although when he did connect, the ball travelled and he made a swift 35 to get the Knight Riders off to a good start.

Brad Hodge made just ten before compatriot Moises Henriques hit an unbeaten 30 in 24 balls. Pradeep Sangwan picked up two for 29 while Ashish Nehra (1-23) bowled van Wyk. Gambhir and Warner then laid the foundations for a successful run chase by adding 60 runs in seven overs before Warner pulled an Agit Agarkar bouncer high in the air where Henriques held the catch, one run after McCullum had dropped Gambhir.

Tillakaratne Dilshan (42 not out in 34 balls) added some late fireworks to the party by smashing Ishant Sharma into the stands, and Henriques more farce when he dropped Gambhir at midwicket although by that time the match was all but over. Gambhir closed proceedings by driving Sharma over mid-off, the same shot that he had used to bring up his half-century.

Tags: Delhi Dare Devils, IPL, Kolkata Knight Riders