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KXIP beat DD by 6 wickets | Delhi Daredevils vs Kings XI Punjab, Highlights And Cricket Score 2nd T20 Match - Commentary
Indian Premier League, 2018
Date: Apr 08, 2018 Start Time: 16:00 IST | 10:30 GMT | 16:00 LocalVenue: Punjab Cricket Association IS Bindra Stadium, Mohali
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Delhi Daredevils vs Kings XI Punjab Highlights And Cricket Score 2nd Match - T20 Commentary
Overall, Delhi will be happy with their all-round effort. It's now over to their batters to finish the job. First six overs will be the key. Delhi too have quality in their bowling attack and it's not going to be as straightforward as it looks. Second innings will begin in just a bit.
The hosts were good with the ball, especially the debutant Mujeeb Ur Rahman. Skipper Ashwin rotated his bowlers very well. He didn't allow the Delhi batsmen to settle down. Punjab got a couple of wickets in the Powerplay and his spinners bowled the right lines to restrict the Delhi total. They picked up wickets at the right time whenever partnerships started to develop.
166 is what Delhi finish with! Just about par? Well, they will be pleased after the start they got. They lost Munro early. Then skipper, Gambhir, tried to build partnerships with his teammates. Iyer tried to help his captain but then the visitors lost a couple of wickets and started to lose the plot. Gambhir, however, held one end and got to his fifty and Pant played a nice cameo to set the platform for the big hitters. Morris then ensured that Delhi end it decently.
Mohit Sharma to Daniel Christian. OUT! TIMBER! Excellent delivery to finish by Mohit Sharma. Full and in the blockhole. Not a lot Christian could have done with that, he tries to muscle it through the off side but misses to see the ball hit the off pole. So a wicket off the last ball but 11 from the over. DELHI FINISH ON 166 FOR 7!
Mohit Sharma to Chris Morris. Four! No, wait, the umpire by mistake signals it a boundary but it is three runs. Sharma goes full this time on middle. Morris flicks it through the leg side. Once again it is in the gap between deep square leg and deep mid-wicket. Tye runs to his right from the latter position, slides and pushes it with his legs. Stoinis who comes running in from deep square leg does the mopping up job. The umpire goes upstairs to check and it is fine. But the umpire signals a boundary and then corrects himself. Three runs added to the total.
Mohit Sharma to Chris Morris. FOUR! Just bounced inside! Much-needed one for Delhi! Mohit bangs it halfway down once again. It is also slow and it sits up to be hit. Morris waits for it, selects his spot and then pulls it in the gap between long on and deep mid-wicket for a boundary.
Mohit Sharma to Chris Morris. So no boundaries from the first three balls. Punjab will be happy with that. A very full ball on middle, Morris jams it out towards mid-wicket. They run one and then take on Tye for the second and make it.
Mohit Sharma to Daniel Christian. This was nicely bowled! Full and cramps the batsman for room. All Christian can do is drive it down to long off for a run. Two from the first two deliveries. Good start to the over.
Mohit Sharma to Chris Morris. Starts off with a slower short ball on middle, Morris pulls it through square leg but just for one as there is protection in the deep.
Mohit Sharma is back into the attack. He will bowl the last over. Can he keep them below 170?
Andrew Tye to Daniel Christian. SIX! Makes the most of the Free Hit. Length ball on off, it sits up nicely for Christian who powers it deep into the stand at long on. This is exactly what they need after a tight last over and five good balls in this one.
A Free Hit coming up!
Andrew Tye to Daniel Christian. No ball! Tye raises his arm in apology as soon as he delivers this ball. Tries hitting the blockhole but the ball slips from his hand. It goes above the waist height of Christian down the leg side. Daniel gets out of the way and lets it through to the keeper.
Andrew Tye to Daniel Christian. Very good ball from Tye. Bowls this full outside off. Christian tries to get bat on ball but fails.
Andrew Tye to Chris Morris. Driven towards the mid off region. One run added to the total.
Andrew Tye to Daniel Christian. Short ball on leg, Christian pulls this through square leg for just one.
Andrew Tye to Chris Morris. Full on off, Morris hits this towards long off and jogs to the other end.
Andrew Tye to bowl his last over now.
Andrew Tye to Daniel Christian. Leg bye. Slow ball down the leg, Daniel misses his flick and gets hit on the pads. The ball is far from the close-in fielders as they quickly take a leg bye.
Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Daniel Christian. The batsman has flicked the ball off his pads. One run added to the total. So only six scored from Mujeeb's final over. Excellent from the young mane, he finishes off with figures of 4-0-28-2 on his debut.
Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Chris Morris. Tosses this one up, Morris works this through mid off for one.
Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Chris Morris. Good running from these two. Another flatter ball on off, Chris hits this in the gap through covers and comes back for a couple.
Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Daniel Christian. Short again, Daniel rocks back and pushes this through covers for one more.
Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Chris Morris. The batsman works it down the leg side. They pick up a single.
Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Chris Morris. Short ball on off, Morris hits this to the man at mid off.
Mujeeb Ur Rahman to bowl his final over.
Mohit Sharma to Chris Morris. A single to end the over, 11 from the 17th. Morris pushes this one towards cover for an easy run.
Mohit Sharma to Chris Morris. SIX! Enough of sighters for Morris. This time he comes down the wicket. He gets the ball right in his zone. Maintains his balance and then sends it sailing over the long on fence. Too add to all that, he also holds his pose for the camera. So a maximum off the penultimate ball which spoils the over.
Mohit Sharma to Daniel Christian. Had there been a direct hit, Chrisitian was a goner! On a length, it is the slower one again. Christian pushes it towards covers and sets off for a run. Ashwin there has a shy but misses.
Mohit Sharma to Chris Morris. Slower ball, Morris does wait for it but could not time his shot. He gets an inside edge onto his pads and it goes towards square leg for a run.
Mohit Sharma to Daniel Christian. Fuller in length on off, Christian drives it through extra cover for a run. Getting their eye in are the two. They need to play out the remaining balls.
Mohit Sharma to Chris Morris. Length ball on middle, Morris plays it down towards long on for a run.
Mohit Sharma is back on.
Ravichandran Ashwin to Daniel Christian. Tossed up ball on off, Daniel plays it back to the bowler with a straight bat.
Ravichandran Ashwin to Chris Morris. Morris has flicked the ball off his pads. One run added to the total.
Ravichandran Ashwin to Daniel Christian. Full on off, Christian pushes this through covers and moves to the other end.
Daniel Christian is the new man in.
Ravichandran Ashwin to Rahul Tewatia. OUT! Ashwin gets his first wicket. Tewatia tries to be fancy with his attempted reverse sweep and pays the price. Slower ball in line of the stumps, Tewatia gets low and tries to reverse sweep this one. He completely plays across the wrong line and is caught plump in front of the stumps. He knew it as soon as he missed his shot. The umpire raises his finger and Rahul walks back in disappointment.
Ravichandran Ashwin to Chris Morris. Morris is off the mark with a single towards mid on.
Ravichandran Ashwin to Rahul Tewatia. Rahul milks this through mid-wicket for one.
Chris Morris walks out it the middle.
Andrew Tye to Rahul Tewatia. OUT! The skipper departs after a well-played knock. Full ball down the leg side, Rahul helps it on its way to the short fine leg fielder and quickly runs to the other end. Gambhir responds to the call and before he knew, Mujeeb collects the ball and hits the target at the striker's end. Gambhir didn't look confident and the umpire takes it upstairs. On seeing the replay, we find that the skipper is just short of his crease as the LED lights flash. This is a big blow to Delhi. They needed their skipper to last the distance.
A run out appeal has been referred upstairs. The skipper is the man in the picture. That looked out to the naked-eye! Has Punjab got their man?
Andrew Tye to Gautam Gambhir. The batsman has played it towards mid-wicket. One run added to the total.
Andrew Tye to Rahul Tewatia. Pushes this through covers to rotate strike.
Andrew Tye to Gautam Gambhir. Short ball outside off, Gambhir cuts it over point for a run.
Andrew Tye to Rahul Tewatia. Tewatia pushes this through mid off to give his partner the strike.
Andrew Tye to Gautam Gambhir. Back of a length ball on leg, Gambhir tries to work it on its way but gets it off the shoulder of the bat. The ball falls just short of the short fine leg fielder, Mujeeb. They cross.
The second strategic break of this Delhi innings has been taken. Skipper Gambhir is still there and the whole of Delhi will hope he stays till the end. Having said that, he will need support from the other end. Punjab are keeping it tight and doing well by picking wickets at regular intervals.
Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Rahul Tewatia. Now flicks this to the cow corner for a brace.
Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Rahul Tewatia. FOUR! What a shot from Rahul. Not afraid to take the spinner on. Slower ball in line of the stumps, Rahul gets in position and reverse sweeps this over backward point for a boundary.
Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Gautam Gambhir. Driven through mid on by the skipper. The batsmen have run through for a single.
Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Gautam Gambhir. Gambhir shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot.
Rahul Tewatia joins the skipper in the middle.
Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Rishabh Pant. OUT! Another bowling change from the skipper and another wicket for Mujeeb. Gives this air outside off and bowls a googly. Pant charges down the track and looks to swing this over mid-wicket. He does not read the spin and it takes the top edge before flying high towards extra cover. Tye hares backwards and takes a very good catch with a tumble.
Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Rishabh Pant. FOUR! Slower through the air on off, Pant makes room and hits it hard down the ground for a boundary.
Mujeeb Ur Rahman to bowl another over.
Andrew Tye to Rishabh Pant. Another full ball on off, Pant drives this through covers for a single. 17 off this Tye over.
Andrew Tye to Rishabh Pant. FOUR! Digs this one short down leg, Pant shuffles across and pulls this towards the fine leg region for a boundary.
Andrew Tye to Gautam Gambhir. Fuller this time around off, Gambhir lofts this over covers for just a run.
Andrew Tye to Rishabh Pant. Pant rocks onto the back foot and punches the ball. They pick up a single.
Andrew Tye to Rishabh Pant. SIX! Tye under pressure. 10 from 2 balls. This time Pant is in total control of it. Length ball on middle, Pant hits this over mid wicket for half a dozen. 100 up for Delhi.
Andrew Tye to Rishabh Pant. FOUR! Slower ball from Tye. Pant is early in his shot but the ball goes in the gap over mid-wicket to the fence.
Andrew Tye is brought back on.
Ravichandran Ashwin to Rishabh Pant. The batsman has played it towards mid-wicket. They pick up a single.
Ravichandran Ashwin to Gautam Gambhir. Fifty for Gambhir! Leading from the front like he always does. A good homecoming for the skipper. He drives this past covers for a run to get to his milestone. GG needs to carry on if Delhi are to reach a good score.
Ravichandran Ashwin to Rishabh Pant. Serves this around off, pant plays this to short cover for a run.
Ravichandran Ashwin to Gautam Gambhir. In the air...but safe! Gambhir will be thanking the heavens for this. Ashwin gives this air on middle and leg, Gambhir gets on one knee and looks to sweep it again. He gets a top edge to it and the ball balloons towards mid-wicket. Two fielders charge from the deep but it falls in front of them. The batsmen cross.
Ravichandran Ashwin to Rishabh Pant. This time Pant sweeps this around the corner to change strike.
Ravichandran Ashwin to Gautam Gambhir. Leg spinner from Ashwin, Gambhir sweeps through square leg for one.
Ravichandra Ashwin comes in for his third over.
Mohit Sharma to Gautam Gambhir. Slower ball on middle, Gambhir pushes this through mid off to retain strike.
Mohit Sharma to Rishabh Pant. Pant drives this through the covers. They pick up a single.
Mohit Sharma to Rishabh Pant. FOUR! Fuller ball around off, Pant clears his front foot and slaps this through mid-wicket. Karun Nair does well to get a hand to it but the ball still manages to get to the rope. Good way to get off the mark.
Mohit Sharma to Rishabh Pant. Some chin music for Pant, he lets that bouncer through to the wicket-keeper.
Mohit Sharma to Gautam Gambhir. Lands this fuller on leg, Gambhir flicks this through mid-wicket for a run.
Rishabh Pant is the new man in.
Mohit Sharma to Vijay Shankar. OUT! The bowling change has done the trick for Punjab. Mohit strikes with the very first ball of his new spell. Serves a slower one on a back of a length area. Shankar looks to heave this away but manages to get it off the toe end of the blade. The bat turns in his hands and it skies towards deep mid-wicket where Axar Patel settles under it and takes a good catch. Delhi continue to lose wickets from one end.
Mohit Sharma comes back into the attack.
Marcus Stoinis to Vijay Shankar. 7 from Stoinis's first. A good one by him. Shankar tries to pull but is a tad early in the shot. It goes off the toe end to the fielder at deep square leg for a run.
Marcus Stoinis to Vijay Shankar. A couple on the fifth! Good fielding effort in the deep. A low full toss on middle, Shankar flicks it through mid-wicket. Agarwal at long on runs to his right, slides and does well to keep it down to two.
Marcus Stoinis to Gautam Gambhir. Gambhir walks right across his stumps. Stoinis bowls it full outside off. Gautam eases it down to long on for a run. 4 runs so far from the first four balls. Good start by Stoinis, can he end it well.
Marcus Stoinis to Vijay Shankar. Goes full this time on middle, Shankar times it down towards long on to change strike.
Marcus Stoinis to Gautam Gambhir. Short but an off pace delivery on middle, Gambhir rocks back and pulls it along the ground. There is protection in the deep so it is only a single.
Marcus Stoinis to Vijay Shankar. On the pads, worked around the corner for a run.
Marcus Stoinis is into the attack.
The first strategic break of the game has been taken. The Punjab spinners are trying to spin a web to this Delhi batting. They are rotating their spinners well and getting their rewards. For the tourists, their skipper is holding things up quite well.
Axar Patel to Gautam Gambhir. Comes down the track and tries to flick but misses to get hit on the pads. A dot to finish but 9 from the 9th over.
Axar Patel to Gautam Gambhir. FOUR! Top edge but a boundary! Down the leg side, Gambhir tries to help it on its way but gets a top edge which luckily goes over short fine leg and to the fence. There were shouts of 'catch it' but it was well over the fielder.
Axar Patel to Vijay Shankar. Fires it on middle, Shankar flicks it through the on side for a run.
Axar Patel to Gautam Gambhir. Works it with the turn through mid-wicket for a run.
Axar Patel to Vijay Shankar. Driven towards the mid off region. They pick up a single.
Axar Patel to Vijay Shankar. Top shot! Floats it up on off, Shankar drives it over covers but a little too close to long off, still he gets a brace.
Ravichandran Ashwin to Vijay Shankar. The batsman rocks onto the back foot and punches the ball. One run added to the total.
Ravichandran Ashwin to Vijay Shankar. BEATEN! A beauty! Any leg spinner would have been proud of that one! Ashwin tosses this up outside off, it turns away sharply. Shankar plants his front foot ahead and goes for the drive but is beaten.
Ravichandran Ashwin to Vijay Shankar. WIDE! The leg spinner again but down the leg side. Shankar misses the sweep and the umpire calls it a wide. Vijay might have felt he let a scoring opportunity go abegging there as any part of the bat on that one and it would have raced away.
Ravichandran Ashwin to Gautam Gambhir. This time it is the off spinner. Gambhir works it across the line for a run.
Ravichandran Ashwin to Vijay Shankar. The leg spinner by Ashwin, something he was bowling a lot at domestic level. Shankar flicks it through mid-wicket for a run.
Ravichandran Ashwin to Vijay Shankar. Shankar flicks it through mid-wicket. He runs one and then comes back for two. The fielder fires a throw to the keeper but Shankar makes it in time.
Ravichandran Ashwin to Gautam Gambhir. Goes inside out again but this time does not get the desired connection. It goes towards cover for just a run.
Ravichandran Ashwin is back on.
Axar Patel to Vijay Shankar. Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.
Vijay Shankar walks out to the middle.
Axar Patel to Shreyas Iyer. OUT! EDGED AND TAKEN! Axar strikes and this should make him feel better. He had been taken to the cleaners previously and now gets a timely wicket. Tosses this one up outside off, it turns away after pitching. Iyer goes for a booming drive through the line but the ball takes the outside edge and goes into the gloves off Rahul who takes a sharp catch. Iyer walks back cheaply and just when a partnership was starting to build for Delhi, it has been broken.
Axar Patel to Gautam Gambhir. Eased down to long off for a run.
Axar Patel to Shreyas Iyer. The batsman has flicked the ball off his pads. They pick up a single.
Axar Patel to Shreyas Iyer. SIX! Enough is enough, says Iyer. He comes down the track, gets to the pitch of the ball and sends it sailing over the bowler's head for a biggie.
Axar Patel to Gautam Gambhir. Plays it with the turn through mid-wicket for a run.
Axar Patel is back on.
Andrew Tye to Shreyas Iyer. A dot to end the Powerplay. A equal one as Delhi are 45 for 1. Iyer pushes this back of a length ball to covers.
Andrew Tye to Shreyas Iyer. Knuckle ball but down the leg side. Iyer misses the flick and the umpire calls it a wide.
Andrew Tye to Gautam Gambhir. And now rotates the strike with a run by playing it on the on side. Good batting, experience coming handy here.
Andrew Tye to Gautam Gambhir. FOUR! Pulled with disdain! Short ball, it sits up to be hit. Gambhir rocks back and helps himself to another boundary. They needed this after three dots.
Andrew Tye to Gautam Gambhir. Full again on off, Gambhir once again hits it really well but can't find the gap. It goes on the bounce to mid off.
Andrew Tye to Gautam Gambhir. On the pads, Gambhir mistimes it to mid-wicket. Two dots to begin with for Tye.
Andrew Tye to Gautam Gambhir. Starts off with a full ball on off, Gambhir hits it well but straight to mid off.
Andrew Tye is into the attack.
Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Shreyas Iyer. Shreyas is safe! Umpire's call, Punjab do not lose a review. Mujeeb fires it on middle, this one turns back in. Iyer goes back to keep it out but is late to bring his bat down. The ball hits him a little high on the pads. The players make a huge appeal but the umpire shakes his head. After a chat with his teammates, Ashwin decides to review. They take it upstairs. No bat involved and Hawk Eye shows it to be clipping the top of off. The on-field call stays.
Review time! It is all happening out there. There is an appeal for an LBW against Iyer. The umpire shakes his head. But Ashwin wants it to be taken upstairs. Looks high though.
Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Shreyas Iyer. WIDE! Down the leg side and the umpire signals it a wide.
Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Gautam Gambhir. The batsman charges down the wicket. They pick up a single.
Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Gautam Gambhir. On the pads, this time. Worked through the leg side for a brace.
Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Gautam Gambhir. FOUR! Up and over! Once again he goes through the off side. He loves playing that shot. He makes room again and lofts it over covers for a boundary.
Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Shreyas Iyer. NOT OUT! Well in is Gambhir! Quicker again on off, Iyer guides it towards point and goes for a run. Gambhir responds. The fielder there collects the ball and fires it to the keeper who deflects it onto the stumps. The players appeal and the umpire just to be sure takes it upstairs as Gambhir looked in. And yes, Gautam is well in shows the replay.
Run out appeal and it is referred. Gautam Gambhir is the man in question at the striker's end but he seems to be in.
Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Shreyas Iyer. Flatter on off, Iyer keeps it out.
Axar Patel to Shreyas Iyer. Patel slows this one up and bowls it on the stumps. This grips in the surface and also turns away, Iyer tries to play across the line but gets a leading edge towards covers for a run. End of a very good over for Delhi, they needed this. 17 from it.
Axar Patel to Gautam Gambhir. Good batting, this! Keeps his head down and works it around the corner to rotate strike.
Axar Patel to Gautam Gambhir. SIX! Maybe it was not the right idea to get the left-arm spinner when Gambhir is batting. 14 from the last three balls he has faced. Axar tosses this one up. Gambhir goes straight this time. The connection is excellent as it has gone all the way over long off.
Axar Patel to Gautam Gambhir. FOUR! Back-to-back boundaries. Swept to perfection. Patel floats it up on middle, Gambhir goes down on one knee and sweeps it hard over square leg. Drops just short of the fence.
Axar Patel to Gautam Gambhir. FOUR! Excellent shot! Looking to take on the left arm spinner. He moves away and gets a full ball on the stumps. He goes inside out and lofts it over covers for the first boundary of the game.
Axar Patel to Shreyas Iyer. Tossed this one up on off, driven down to long off for a run.
Axar Patel is into the attack.
Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Gautam Gambhir. The batsman plays a sweep shot. End of a successful over by Mujeeb and a very good one.
Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Shreyas Iyer. Flatter on off, once again it is a mysterious delivery. Iyer taps it towards cover for a run to get off the mark.
Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Shreyas Iyer. On the pads, Iyer tries to flick but misses to get hit on the pads. The players appeal but the umpire shakes his head. Going down leg.
Shreyas Iyer walks out to the middle.
Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Colin Munro. OUT! First wicket for Mujeeb Ur Rahman in the Indian T20 League and it is the big one of Colin Munro. Everybody knows how dangerous he can be. Big blow for Delhi. Munro finally loses his patience and goes for the fancy reverse sweep. He, however, picked the wrong ball as it is very full and on the stumps. Munro misses to get hit on the pads and that is that. The players appeal and the umpire straightaway raises his finger. Munro starts walking back as he knows he is a dead duck. The Punjab players are pumped up as they have an early wicket.
Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Gautam Gambhir. Comes down the track and eases it to long off for a run. He struck it well there but just could not find the gap.
Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Gautam Gambhir. The debutant starts off with a leg spinner, maybe. Not sure as he can bowl quite a few variations. It pitches outside off and turns back in. Gambhir tries to cut but chops it to the keeper.
Mujeeb Ur Rahman is into the attack.
Mohit Sharma to Gautam Gambhir. On middle, stays a touch low. Gautam tries to flick but it goes off the toe end towards square leg for a single. Another tight over, a watchful beginning by Delhi. Maybe trying to assess the pitch first.
Mohit Sharma to Colin Munro. Munro has not tried anything fancy as of yet. Once again he plays the ball to its merit as he pushes it towards covers for a quick run.
Mohit Sharma to Gautam Gambhir. The batsman has played it to the point region. They pick up a single.
Mohit Sharma to Colin Munro. A direct hit needed but misses! Would have been close! Fuller in length on off, Munro pushes it towards mid off and sets off for a run. Yuvraj there is quick to the ball and has a shy but misses. Replays later on show, even though Yuvraj had hit, Munro would have been in.
Mohit Sharma to Gautam Gambhir. BYE! A good delivery though! On a length around off, it takes off after pitching. Gambhir tries to guide it down to third man but gets beaten. Rahul behind the stumps fails to collect it as the ball rolls towards square leg. The batsmen run a bye.
Mohit Sharma to Gautam Gambhir. Mohit bowls a shorter in length delivery, a little close to the off pole. Gambhir tries to cut but the ball is too close to him and he chops it to covers.
Mohit Sharma to bowl from the other end.
Ravichandran Ashwin to Gautam Gambhir. A single to end the over! A good one by Ashwin. On leg stump, flicked through square leg for a run.
Ravichandran Ashwin to Colin Munro. Once again bowls it on the pads, cramping Munro for room. He nudges it through mid-wicket to change strike.
Ravichandran Ashwin to Colin Munro. NOT OUT! One look is all the umpire needed as Munro was inside. But encouraging signs for Ashwin as he got that one to turn. He bowls a loopy ball around off, drawing the batsman to drive. Munro does so as he plants his front foot forward and tries to stroke it. The ball however, turns away and that beats the outside edge. Rahul collects and whips the bails off and appeals. He seems to be confident. The umpire takes it upstairs and the replay shows Munro has his foot inside the crease. Munro survives and Delhi will breathe a sigh of a relief.
Has Ashwin struck in his first over? They have gone upstairs to check for a stumping and Rahul is very confident.
Ravichandran Ashwin to Gautam Gambhir. This time he tosses it up on off, Gambhir pushes it to the right of Ashwin who dives over the ball and concedes a run.
Ravichandran Ashwin to Gautam Gambhir. Once again flatter and quicker. Not tossing it up here is Ashwin. Gambhir works it through mid-wicket for a brace.
Ravichandran Ashwin to Colin Munro. Starts off with a quicker delivery on the pads, Munro tucks it around the corner to mid on for the first run of this game.
A false start! All that build up and then Ashwin pulls out at the very last moment.
We are all set to begin. The umpires and the players make their way out to the middle. The pair of Gautam Gambhir and Colin Munro take their positions. They will look to make good use of the Powerplay. Skipper Ravichandran Ashwin will open the bowling for Punjab. Here we go...
Delhi skipper, Gautam Gambhir, says he feels good to be back to his hometown. He hopes he can bring the same momentum he had at Kolkata. Informs his four overseas players are Trent Boult, Chris Morris, Daniel Christian and Colin Munro.
Punjab skipper, Ravichandran Ashwin, says it is a good wicket and they will look to chase down whatever total is put on the board. Further adds it is important to be a part of the Indian T20 League no matter what level you are playing at. Mentions the experience of being a captain is new to him. Admits he is a little nervous but he will try and do a good job. He hopes to start well today. Informs their four overseas players are Marcus Stoinis, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Andrew Tye and David Miller.
TOSS - Ravichandran Ashwin flips the coin, Gautam Gambhir calls but it lands in the favor of Punjab. They elect to field.
Pitch report - Michael Slater doing it starts by saying the surface feels hard and there is a little bit of green grass on it. He feels it won't come into play that much. Reckons 160-170 should be a good score.
Both the teams are filled with exciting players and also have new captains this year. Out of which one has tasted success a couple of times in this tournament and one who is relatively new to captaincy. How will the two perform with their new teams? We will have to wait to find out. Welcome to our coverage of the first game of today's double-header. Can't wait for the action to begin. Stay tuned for the toss.
It was a rollicking start to this year's Indian T20 League! The benchmark is now set and we shall expect nothing less in this North Indian Derby. It is a clash between Punjab and Delhi. Two teams which have always seemed to underperform. But today they both will want to kick-start their campaign with a win.
So that is it from this game. But let me remind you folks it is Super Sunday so the action does not end here. The second game is coming up between Kolkata and Bangalore in just a bit. Join us for all the action from that game. See you then.
Man of the Match, Lokesh Rahul, says it is hard to plan such an innings. Adds further he just looked to get into good positions and things went well for him. Reckons everybody needs to get aggressive to get their team off to a good start. States they wanted to score off the new ball and lighten the pressure on the lower order. He hopes he carries the momentum out to the middle the next time he bats. Ends by saying he is happy to break the record of the fastest fifty in Indian T20 League.
Ravichandran Ashwin says there is lesser pressure now. Further adds he had nerves at the start but all is fine. Mentions they did play a few practice games here. Admits the monkey is off the back and it is a big relief after winning the first game. Credits the batting and says they want to take it game by game. Ends by saying he will not be shying away from challenges with the ball.
Now Karun Nair is up for a chat and says the pitch was pretty good. Credits the way Rahul played and says he is happy to get some runs under his belt. Thanks the crowd who came out to support them.
Gautam Gambhir feels they had got a decent total on the board but Punjab took the game away from them in the first six overs. Credits the bowlers for pulling the game back. He felt 160-165 was a good total as once the ball got old it was difficult to score. Ends by saying they have a good backroom staff and they will hope to turn it around quickly.
A great beginning to the season for Punjab under Ravichandran Ashwin. Their bowlers did a decent job to restrict Delhi and Mujeeb Ur Rahman, in particular, impressed one and all. The batting department, although, with the exception of Rahul and Nair, looked a bit rusty and they would like to work on it. Delhi, on the other hand, will be disappointed with their bowling and would have to pull up their socks. Here is what Gambhir has to say...
A comfortable win in the end for Punjab! KL Rahul's scintillating knock sealed the chase more or less inside the Powerplay and Karun Nair made sure that they don't lose track by cracking a half century. Delhi were shell-shocked after the attack by Rahul and never really recovered. They did try by picking wickets here and there but that never bothered the home team.
Trent Boult to Marcus Stoinis. Match over! Stoinis hits the winning runs as he carves this over the cover fielder and runs a single. Handshakes all around as PUNJAB WIN BY 6 WICKETS!
Trent Boult to Marcus Stoinis. FOUR! SCORES ARE LEVEL! That has been SMASHED! Full and it is the off pace delivery. Stoinis reads it early and thrashes it down the ground for a boundary.
Trent Boult to David Miller. Fuller and outside off, driven towards cover for a run.
Trent Boult to Marcus Stoinis. Fuller ball on middle, driven down to long on for a run.
Trent Boult to David Miller. A low full toss on middle, Miller mistimes it to deep mid-wicket for a run.
Trent Boult to Marcus Stoinis. NO BALL! An extra fielder was out of the ring. Sloppy from Delhi. Boult bowls a good yorker which is dug out towards long on for a run. Free Hit coming up.
Trent Boult is back on.
Chris Morris to David Miller. Another slower ball, which sticks on the surface. Miller tries to pull it but it goes off the bottom half towards deep square leg for a brace. 10 from the last two needed.
Chris Morris to Marcus Stoinis. Off pace delivery on middle, Stoinis flicks it through square leg for a run.
Chris Morris to David Miller. Fuller on middle, flicked through square leg for a run.
Chris Morris to Marcus Stoinis. In the air... but on the bounce! Short and outside off, Stoinis flat-bats it towards long on. It reaches the fielder on the bounce and the batsmen cross.
Chris Morris to Marcus Stoinis. On the pads, Stoinis goes for the flick but misses to get hit high on the pads.
Chris Morris to Marcus Stoinis. Slower ball on middle, Marcus goes for the pull but misses.
Chris Morris is back into the attack.
Rahul Tewatia to Marcus Stoinis. Another flatter delivery outside off, Marcus guides it through short third man for three. 15 needed from 18.
Rahul Tewatia to Marcus Stoinis. FOUR! This boundary might have crushed the hopes of Delhi, if there were any that is. Short and on middle, Stoinis makes room and slaps it over covers.
Rahul Tewatia to Marcus Stoinis. Goes for the reverse sweep, Tewatia fires it outside leg. Stoinis misses and the umpire also does not call it a wide.
Rahul Tewatia to David Miller. Slower through the air on off, Miller first thinks about sweeping it but then seeing the line he guides it to point for a quick run.
Rahul Tewatia to Marcus Stoinis. Comes down the track, seeing that Tewatia shortens his length. Marcus works it through square leg for a run. 23 from 22 needed.
Rahul Tewatia to Marcus Stoinis. Very clever from Stoinis! He goes down on one knee and paddles it fine on the leg side for a couple.
Rahul Tewatia is back on.
Daniel Christian to Marcus Stoinis. Driven towards the mid on region. They pick up a single.
Daniel Christian to Marcus Stoinis. What a shot to play on your first ball! WOW! Looks like he has been hitting the ball really well in the nets. A full ball on middle, Stoinis shows the full face of the bat and drives it straight down the ground for a brace.
Marcus Stoinis is the next man in.
The last and final strategic break of the game has been taken with the fall of the wicket. Punjab are going about their work solidly and are still on track even after the fall of Karun's wicket who just got to his fifty. They still have Stoinis and Axar who can hit the ball a long way. Should be an easy chase.
Daniel Christian to Karun Nair. OUT! No, he fails to take his side home! Fifty and out for Karun. This too was a similar ball to the one he hit out of the park. Slower ball and on a shorter length. Karun rocks back and pulls it hard and flat. He however, does not get the desired elevation. Boult in the deep runs to his right and takes a good reverse cup catch. A good knock by the lad from Karnataka comes to an end. He has taken his team to the brink of victory. 29 more needed in 26.
Daniel Christian to Karun Nair. A yorker on off, dug out to covers.
Daniel Christian to Karun Nair. SIX! Just as i write that, Nair sends the ball into the stands and brings his fifty up in style! Short and it is the slower one. Karun reads it and pulls it over the mid-wicket fence for a biggie. Takes his helmet off and kisses the badge. 29 more needed in 27. Can he take his side all the way?
Daniel Christian to Karun Nair. Down the leg side, Karun tries to pull but misses. The ball brushes the pads and goes to short fine leg. A dot to start, so no boundaries in the last 4 overs.
Daniel Christian is back on.
Amit Mishra to David Miller. Flatter on middle, Miller flicks it through square leg and gets another double. 6 runs easily taken from the over.
Amit Mishra to David Miller. This time it is in the gap and the batsmen run two! A little too full by Mishra and hence the spin is out of contention. Miller flicks it through mid-wicket for a brace.
Amit Mishra to Karun Nair. Fuller on the pads, Nair flicks it through mid-wicket for a run. Just 2 from the first 4 balls.
Amit Mishra to Karun Nair. Fires it on off, Nair goes down on one knee to sweep but gets a bottom edge to short fine leg.
Amit Mishra to David Miller. This time he gets to the pitch of the ball and flicks it through square leg for a run.
Amit Mishra to David Miller. Good turn there! A googly on leg stump. It turns away after pitching. Miller tries to work it on the leg side but the ball takes a soft leading edge to covers.
Rahul Tewatia to David Miller. Punched off the back foot by the batsman. The batsmen have run through for a single. Another tight over but no wickets. 41 from 36 needed.
Rahul Tewatia to Karun Nair. Another leading edge but well over the bowler! Shorter on middle, Nair rocks back and tries to whip it but gets a leading edge down to long on for a run.
Rahul Tewatia to David Miller. Short and wide outside off, Miller cuts it hard but straight to the man at covers in the deep. A single results.
Rahul Tewatia to Karun Nair. A little too full on middle, Nair flicks it down to long on for an easy single.
Rahul Tewatia to Karun Nair. Fires it on the stumps, Nair pushes it to covers.
Rahul Tewatia to David Miller. Flatter on off, Miller rocks back and punches it down to long on for a run. This is good batting by the two. They know singles will do the job and they are doing exactly that.
Amit Mishra to David Miller. Flicked with the turn through the on side for a run. A good over this by Mishra, just 6 from it but Delhi need wickets.
Amit Mishra to Karun Nair. Worked against the turn for a run.
Amit Mishra to Karun Nair. Once again uppish but in the gap. Mishra tosses this one up outside off, Nair drives it through covers. It is uppish but in the gap and the batsmen get two.
Amit Mishra to Karun Nair. Slower through the air on middle, Nair tries to flick but gets an inside edge onto the pads. There is a muted appeal from the bowler but the umpire remains put.
Amit Mishra to David Miller. Driven towards the mid on region. The batsmen have run through for a single.
Amit Mishra to Karun Nair. In the air... but safe! Mishra tosses it up on off, it turns away. Nair tries to flick but closes the face of his bat early. The ball takes the leading edge and goes over the bowler's head for a run.
Rahul Tewatia to Karun Nair. Excellent fielding! Tewatia tosses this one up on off, it turns away a touch. Nair tries to defend but the ball goes off the outside edge towards short third man. Mishra there runs to his left, dives full stretch and stops it. He can't stop a single though.
Rahul Tewatia to David Miller. The batsman has driven it through mid on. One run added to the total.
Rahul Tewatia to David Miller. A leave, not often do you see that in T20 cricket. Wide outside off, Miller shoulders arms to it.
Rahul Tewatia to David Miller. This one stays low, really low. Quicker on middle, Miller rocks back to whip it but the ball stays low. David does well to adjust and flick it to mid-wicket.
Rahul Tewatia to David Miller. Flatter on off, Miller pushes it to covers.
Rahul Tewatia to David Miller. FOUR! These are hit me balls. Just poor from Delhi. Short and wide outside off, the ball is begging to be hit. Miller rocks back and places it through covers for a boundary. 54 from 53 now.
Amit Mishra to David Miller. The googly on the leg stump, it is a little too full though. Miller flicks it through square leg for a run. 10 from this over, Mishra's figures read 2-0-34-0.
Amit Mishra to Karun Nair. Fires it on the stumps, Nair flicks it through the on side for a run.
Amit Mishra to Karun Nair. Flatter on middle, Karun works it through mid-wicket for a brace.
Amit Mishra to David Miller. Another half tracker, Mishra has not recovered from the pounding he received. Miller however, could not take full toll of it as he pulls it along the ground to mid-wicket for a run.
Amit Mishra to Karun Nair. Gives it air this time and bowls it on off, it is driven down to long off to change strike.
Amit Mishra to Karun Nair. FOUR! Poor, very poor to start with by Mishra. After such a good previous over, Mishra bowls a nothing ball. Down the leg side. Nair sweeps it fine for a boundary.
Amit Mishra is back into the attack.
Rahul Tewatia to Karun Nair. The batsman has driven it through mid off. One run added to the total.
Rahul Tewatia to Karun Nair. Quicker one from Rahul as this zips through the surface. It hits Nair low on the pads as he misses his flick.
Rahul Tewatia to David Miller. Wide outside off, David cuts it behind point to get off the mark.
Rahul Tewatia to David Miller. Full on leg, Miller helps it on its way.
Killer Miller, David Miller is the next man in.
Rahul Tewatia to Yuvraj Singh. OUT! Yuvraj's struggle is over. He tries to hit his way out and goes aerial but loses his wicket. A nothing ball from Rahul, bowls this short on leg, Singh charges down the wicket and looks to heave it over mid-wicket. He doesn't time it well enough though and the ball goes straight down the throat of Vijay Shankar who won't drop these. A wicket just after the break. How many times have we seen this happen? Punjab now need 70 runs off 64 balls.
Rahul Tewatia to Yuvraj Singh. Darts this quicker on off, it skids past the outside edge of Yuvraj.
Rahul Tewatia is into the attack.
Strategic time out has been signaled! Punjab are cruising at the moment all thanks to Rahul's breathtaking knock. Delhi need wickets and that too in a heap if they are to get back in the game.
Mohammed Shami to Karun Nair. Low full toss but will find the man at mid-wicket. 14 from this Shami over. He is already gone for 26 in his two overs.
Mohammed Shami to Karun Nair. FOUR! Hat-tricks of boundaries for Karun. Not sure if he intended it to go this fine but he will take this any day. Another full ball outside off, Karun plays it late and it goes past the keeper to the third man fence.
Mohammed Shami to Karun Nair. FOUR! Drags his length back a bit, Nair cross-bats this through mid-wicket and it will beat the man in the deep.
Mohammed Shami to Karun Nair. FOUR! Shami serves this on a good length outside off, Karun leans forwards and drives it handsomely through covers. The ball races away to the fence.
Mohammed Shami to Yuvraj Singh. Lands this full on leg, Yuvraj works it to the leg side for one more.
Mohammed Shami to Karun Nair. Karun plays it with an angled bat and guides it to third man. One run added to the total. 83 runs off 71 balls more needed by Punjab.
Mohammed Shami comes in for another over.
Daniel Christian to Yuvraj Singh. Good end to the over from Daniel. Singh closes his bat face a tad early and gets a leading edge which falls short of the man at covers. Just three runs from this over.
Daniel Christian to Yuvraj Singh. Fuller this time in line of the stumps, Yuvraj gets low and defends this into the ground.
Daniel Christian to Yuvraj Singh. Back of a length ball on middle, Yuvraj plays this with a straight bat.
Daniel Christian to Karun Nair. Another short ball, Nair pulls this hard through mid-wicket but will just get one from it.
Daniel Christian to Yuvraj Singh. Gets this off the inner half towards long on as the batsmen jog to change ends.
Daniel Christian comes to bowl his first over.
Daniel Christian to Karun Nair. Short ball on middle and leg, Nair pulls this through mid-wicket for a run.
Trent Boult to Yuvraj Singh. Yuvraj has played that off the front foot and into the ground to end this over.
Trent Boult to Yuvraj Singh. Goes hard at this short ball. Yuvraj gets a bottom edge to this and the keeper collects it on the bounce.
Trent Boult to Yuvraj Singh. Short ball, Boult rolls his fingers on this, Yuvraj goes for the pull but misses.
Trent Boult to Karun Nair. Nair opens the face of the bat and helps it to third man. They pick up a single.
Trent Boult to Karun Nair. SIX! Stand and deliver from Nair! Length ball around off, Nair extends his arms and holds his pose while he sends his ball over the long off stand.
Trent Boult to Karun Nair. Back of a length ball on off, Karun stays back and defends it from the crease.
Chris Morris to Yuvraj Singh. Another slower ball outside off, Yuvraj slashes hard but is done in by the low bounce. A dot to end the Powerplay, an excellent one for Punjab. They are 73 for 2 after 6, needing only 94 from 84.
Chris Morris to Yuvraj Singh. Fuller and on off, it is driven to covers.
Chris Morris to Yuvraj Singh. EDGED BUT FOUR! Everything going Punjab's way here. A good slower one outside off, Yuvraj is early into the drive as the ball takes the outside edge and goes through the vacant slip cordon and down to the third man fence.
Chris Morris to Karun Nair. Almost drags it on! Fuller in length and wide outside off, Nair goes after it away from his body. The ball takes the inside edge and goes close but past the off pole and towards square leg for a run.
Chris Morris to Karun Nair. On a length around off, Nair keeps the good ball out after getting a boundary off the last one.
Chris Morris to Karun Nair. FOUR! Off the mark in some style! Full and on middle, Morris was going for the yorker but misses by a little. The margin of error is very less in this game. Karun flicks it through mid-wicket and the ball races away.
Trent Boult to Yuvraj Singh. Defended off the front foot by Yuvraj presenting the full face of the bat.
Karun Nair joins Yuvraj in the middle.
Trent Boult to Lokesh Rahul. OUT! Rahul holes out trying to hit another big one. An attempted yorker which turns out to be a full toss, KL tries to work this on the leg side but gets a leading edge to it. The ball flies in the air towards short third man where Shami gets under the ball and takes a good pressure catch. The Delhi players are all pumped up now. What an innings from Rahul! Surely has done his job for the team.
Trent Boult to Yuvraj Singh. Hits this along the turf towards mid on and gives Rahul the strike.
Trent Boult to Yuvraj Singh. Drags this length back, Yuvraj pulls this to the man at mid-wicket. Three dot balls in a row now.
Trent Boult to Yuvraj Singh. Full ball on off, Singh drives this to the fielder at mid off.
Trent Boult to Yuvraj Singh. Length ball, Yuvraj defends this from within the crease.
Chris Morris to Yuvraj Singh. Yuvraj opens the face of the bat and helps it to third man. They pick up a single.
Trent Boult comes back for his second over.
Chris Morris to Yuvraj Singh. Driven through mid on by the batsman for nothing.
Chris Morris to Yuvraj Singh. FOUR! Not this time! Bowls another short ball into Yuvraj who pulls this through square leg for his first boundary. The swivel from Yuvi inside the crease was eye-catching.
Chris Morris to Yuvraj Singh. Welcomes Singh with a bouncer. Yuvraj does well to evade it.
Yuvraj Singh is the new man in.
Chris Morris to Mayank Agarwal. OUT! A wicket against the run of play for Delhi. Morris lets out a clever slower delivery in line of the stumps and Mayank is early in his shot. Plays this with a straight bat and chips it to the man stationed at mid on. Mohammed Shami there takes a very simple catch and the crowd is stunned into silence. Punjab require 109 more and are well on track at the moment.
Chris Morris to Mayank Agarwal. SIX! Another biggie but this time from the bat of Mayank. Length ball on off, Agarwal leans forward and chips this over covers. The ball sails over the fence. Effortless, all timing, no muscle.
Chris Morris is brought into the attack.
Amit Mishra to Lokesh Rahul. Stop the press, there is a dot ball! Flighted ball on middle and off, turning away, Rahul tries to pull it but misses. 24 from the over, a gigantic one for the home team, the crowd is going bonkers after this kind of a beginning.
Amit Mishra to Lokesh Rahul. FOUR! Fifty for Rahul! He gets there in just 14 balls. What an innings this has already been. Charges down the track and smacks this along the turf to beat the man at mid on. He has raced away to the milestone and this is the quickest in the history of this tournament! Take a bow, KL.
Amit Mishra to Lokesh Rahul. FOUR! Rahul is dealing in boundaries. Short ball on middle, Rahul pulls this through mid-wicket for a boundary. It's a complete carnage at the moment.
Amit Mishra to Lokesh Rahul. SIX! Another maximum! It doesn't matter if he is off balance he can still hit them all the way. Darts this full on leg, KL gets on one knee and sweeps this over fine leg.
Amit Mishra to Lokesh Rahul. SIX! This has gone all the way! Another slow ball on off, Rahul stands tall and chips this over mid off for a biggie. Looking in dangerous mood, KL!
Amit Mishra to Lokesh Rahul. FOUR! Tossed up ball outside off, Rahul leans forward and slaps it through covers for a boundary.
Amit Mishra to roll his arm now.
Mohammed Shami to Mayank Agarwal. Back of a length ball around off, Mayank rocks back and punches it along the turf.
Mohammed Shami to Lokesh Rahul. Rahul opens the face of the bat and helps it to third man. They pick up a single.
Mohammed Shami to Lokesh Rahul. FOUR! Length ball on leg, Rahul whips it away through square leg for a boundary. He now moves to 26 from 8 balls.
Mohammed Shami to Lokesh Rahul. SIX! Rahul is in the mood! Effort ball from Shami on leg, KL pulls this towards the fine leg region for a maximum. That was a tremendous hit!
Mohammed Shami to Mayank Agarwal. Works this behind the man at square leg for a run.
Mohammed Shami to Mayank Agarwal. Full on leg, Mayank flicks this to the man at square leg.
Mohammed Shami will bowl from the other end.
Trent Boult to Lokesh Rahul. FOUR! Back-to back boundaries to end this over from Boult. Serves this full outside off, Rahul gets low and drives this past cover-point. 16 off the first over. A good one for the hosts.
Trent Boult to Lokesh Rahul. FOUR! Up and over this time! Length ball on off, KL gets behind the delivery and lofts it over covers for a boundary.
Trent Boult to Lokesh Rahul. SIX! Drags his length back and digs this one short down the leg. Rahul pulls this over the short fine leg fielder all the way to the fence.
Trent Boult to Lokesh Rahul. Rahul drives this superbly to covers but finds the man. Dot ball.
Trent Boult to Lokesh Rahul. Full this time on the pads of Rahul who flicks it away through square leg for a brace. Punjab are up and running.
Trent Boult to Lokesh Rahul. Starts off with a full ball around off, Rahul tries driving this but gets it off the inner half back to the bowler.
We are back for the chase. The umpires are out in the middle and the Delhi players have taken the field. KL Rahul and Mayank Agarwal will open the innings for Punjab. Trent Boult will bowl with the new ball for the visitors. A slip in place.