Delhi lose to Punjab by four wickets in their last home game this season
On expected lines, Kings XI Punjab beat Delhi Daredevils by four wickets to become the first team to qualify for the playoffs. Though it wasn't even close to their stupendous performances this season, it was important because the win didn't come on the backs of big hitters like Glenn Maxwell, David Miller or Virender Sehwag. Not even the skipper George Bailey played any decisive role.
There were two youngsters, one of whom provided the start and the other one ensured that the team crossed the finishing line safely. Manan Vohra, playing his second match for the franchise, and Akshar Patel, the left-arm spinner, re-affirmed Punjab's supremacy in the tournament.
Vohra, who played a similar aggressive knock against Sunrisers Hyderabad in the previous match, provided a rollicking start to Punjab's chase of the in-between target of 165 with his 19-ball 42-run knock.
He put Punjab in a comfortable position needing less than 100 runs in 15.4 overs, a walk in the park considering their batting line-up. But three quick wickets hampered their chase as Sehwag, Maxwell and Miller got out in quick succession.
Bailey promoted Patel ahead of him and the southpaw kept his captain's faith with an unbeaten 42-run innings as Punjab cruised to their ninth victory with two balls to spare.
Earlier, Kevin Pietersen played a crucial 49-run knock to provide Daredevils with a good start after Murali Vijay (5) once again failed at the top. Dinesh Karthik, Pietersen's deputy, gave him good support from the other end as they shared a 71-run stand for the second wicket.
Pietersen missed his first half-century of the season by a solitary run when he misread Akshar Patel's left-arm spin and pushed forward to cover the angle. The ball, however, turned and hit the off-stump to end Daredevils skipper's innings.
His departure brought JP Duminy, their best batsman of the tournament, to the crease and things were expected to improve further but the left-handed South African had an off day as he struggled to find rhythm. Karthik was shouldering the burden of scoring runs from the other end.
The collapse
At the end of 17 overs, Delhi Daredevils were 144 for 3. Duminy, who hadn’t added much to the innings, had just departed. Karthik, who was in a great touch, was joined by Kedar Jadhav in the middle. A target in the range of 180 was a realistic possibility. All they needed to do was to go through the motions.
But they panicked. May be they didn't expect themselves to be in such a good situation. They just wasted the opportunity that has seldom come their way this season. Without taking away the due credit from Punjab bowlers and fielders, it must be said that Delhi batsmen played unnecessary and unimaginative shots to lose four wickets in just 10 balls and added only 14 runs.
Brief Scores
Delhi Daredevils: 164 for 7 in 20 overs (Dinesh Karthik 69, Kevin Pietersen 49; Sandeep Sharma 3/35) lost to Kings XI Punjab: 165 for 6 in 19.4 overs (Manan Vohra 42, Akshar Patel 42 not out; Imran Tahir 3/22, JP Duminy 2/27) by four wickets.