Delhi Daredevils defeated Kolkata Knight Riders via Super Over after making a mess of their chase during the regular time in the Indian Premier League at Feroz Shah Kotla stadium on Saturday.
Pant and captain Shreyas Iyer turned up for Delhi for the Super Over bowled by Prasidh Krisha and set a target of 11 runs. Kolkata were represented by Andre Russell and Dinesh Karthik against Kagiso Rabada. Rabada bowled beautifully to york Russel and stopped Kolkata three runs short.
Prithvi Shaw, who had powered Delhi’s chase, was out for 99 after he top-edged a short delivery in the 19th over and frittered away the opportunity to become the youngest IPL centurion. His dismissal triggered panic in Delhi ranks. Despite dominating the chase, Delhi got the winning equation to six off six balls. Needing two off the two balls, Delhi lost Hanuma Vihari and Colin Ingram in the last two deliveries to force a Super Over.
Earlier, Put in, Kolkata were off to a terrible start. But Russell (62 off 28, 4x4, 6x6) and Kathik (50) shared 95 runs off 53 balls for the sixth-wicket to revive Kolkata to 185/8 in 20 overs.
Delhi’s chase was anchored by Shaw, who forged 89 runs with Iyer for the second wicket, and 54 with Rishabh Pant, after losing Shikhar Dhawan in the third over. Shaw scored at a fast clip, and once Iyer got settled, Delhi were in control. Shaw and Iyer scored sensibly, backing their boundaries with solid running between the wickets.
Shaw brought his half-century in 30 balls to put Delhi ahead. Iyer, however, departed in the 12th over off Russell when he was caught by Shubman Gill at midwicket boundary, after he had dropping him at the same place, two deliveries before. Pant took the chase forward with Shaw stroking freely and fluently. With Pant and Iyer departing in quick intervals, Delhi faltered dangerously, before picking themselves for the first home win this season.
It was the story of two halves for Kolkata. Sandeep Lamichhane and Chris Morris kept their visitors’ on a tight leash. Their troubles deepened when Chris Lynn and Shubman Gill departed in successive overs. Midway, Kolkata were left tottering at 64/5.
Russell’s arrival became the turning point for Kolkata. Along with captain Karthik, who kept the board ticking at one end, the giant West Indian ruthlessly pummeled the Delhi attack. He was hit by on his shoulder by Patel’s beamer but chose to continue.
However, Russell top-edged Morris to bow out in the 18th over. Karthik departed in the 19th over immediately after his 50; their collective effort ensuring Kolkata picked 121 in the last 10 overs. Delhi, despite a series of error, pulled off a dramatic win.