IPL: Delhi Daredevils Knockout Kings XI Punjab

If they had to harbour any hopes of qualifying for the play-offs, Kings XI had to beat the Delhi Daredevils at the scenic stadium in Dharamsala. That was not to happen as the table toppers easily put away their challengers with yet another commanding performance. Delhi beat Punjab by 6 wickets with 10 balls to spare to put the latter out of the competition.

After putting Kings XI into bat, DD struck regularly. Gilchrist could not build on his match winning innings from the previous match, while Mandeep Singh disappointed for the first time in the tournament. Last year's star Valthaty got a look-in, but ended up embarassing himself. And when Hussey got dismissed with the score on 20 in the 6th over, Punjab were well and truly on the ropes. Chitnis and Azhar Mehmood first got the innings back on track, and then the latter in partnership with Gurkeerat Singh produced some big hits at the end to take the score to a respectable 141, something that had looked highly unlikely. Morkel finished with figures of 20 for 4, while Umesh Yadav took 3 wkts for 19 runs.

In reply, DD came hard at their opposition. Unmukt Chand was a by-stander as Warner laced into the Punjab attack. They had a partnership of 82 runs in 9 overs, with Chand getting only 18 of the runs. The innings of 79 by Warner had four huge sixes in it, and put to rest any hopes Kings XI would have had of winning. Awana who has been the best Indian bowler in the tournament got smashed for 40 runs in his 3 overs. Ryan Harris and Zhar Mehmood were the only bowlers who showed some degree of control.

With the win Delhi sit firmly at the top of the table and look like the team to beat.