KXIP Top The Table With Sketchy Win Despite Iyer's Fifty

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Kings XI Punjab held their nerve to beat Delhi Daredevils by 4-runs in yet another last over the finish in VIVO IPL 2018 at Firoz Shah Kotla Stadium, Delhi on April 23. With this fifth win in six matches, KXIP move up the points table. DD found themselves at bottom of the points table as they lost the fifth game in six matches played so far.

How much did pitch offer to the bowlers



This pitch had plenty to offer to the bowlers, especially to the pacers, where out off 16 wickets fell, 13 were taken by fast bowlers. Liam Plunket and Ankit Rajpoot took best of it and share five wickets with each other.

Did DD had a chance to win

Yes, especially after restricted KXIP on a modest total of 143. They carried this momentum into their batting as Under-19 sensation and debutant Prithvi Shaw made quick fire 22 off 10 balls before he bowled out by Ankit Rajpoot. DD promoted Maxwell up the order and he shone good intent by hitting a six and four but that didn't last long as he caught by Tye of Rajput. Gambhir also was struggling for runs and scored only 4 runs off 13 balls before he got out by Tye. Rishabh Pant, who played a blitzing knock of 85 off 48 balls against RCB, couldn't do much in this game and scored only 4 runs before he bowled out by Mujeeb. Christian also run out on 6 and at this stage, DD lost half of their side on 76 in 12 overs. But Shreyas Iyer and Rahul Tewatia put on a 47-run stand for the 6th wicket and brought back DD into the game. However, Tewatia got out to Andrew Tye on the last ball of the 18th over. He made 24 off 21 balls (a six & four). With 21 needed in last 2 overs, Barinder Sran, who was expensive in his first three overs, gave just 4 runs in his last over and that proved to be the turning point of the match. However, Ashwin played a gamble by giving last over to Mujeeb Ur Rahman. Iyer collected 12 runs in first five balls with a six and four, but he couldn't hit the boundary on the last ball and caught out by Finch at long off. Iyer was disappointed as DD lost in close encounter yet again. However, Iyer was top scorer of the match by scoring 57 off 45 balls. Ankit Rajpoot was the pickup bowler with figures of 4-0-23-2.



How much KXIP missed Chris Gayle

Very much, after winning the toss, Gautam Gambhir opted Punjab to bat first. Aaron Finch came to open with KL Rahul but his poor form continued in this game also as he got out to Avesh Khan in second over of the innings. He made only two runs. However Rahul continued his good form and scored quick fire 23 off 15 balls before he got out to Debutant Liam Plunket.

Although, Agarwal, Nair, Miller they all got the start but found difficult to get boundaries as DD's bowlers bowling with good line and length. Despite a good start, KXIP only manage 143 for 8 in 20 overs. Karun Nair was the top scorer 34 off 32 balls. Liam Plunket was the star with the ball as he conceded only 17 runs in 4 overs and picked 3 wickets.



Ankit Rajpoot awarded Man of the match for his match-winning spell.

Stats of this match

Prithvi Shaw becomes the youngest player to open the innings in IPL history.

Liam Plunket's bowing figures 4-0-17-3 are best for DD on debut.

KXIP becomes the only team to defend the lowest total at Kotla.

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