IPL: Kolkata Beat Delhi To Go To The Top Of The Table

The Kolkata Knight Riders usurped the top of the table position from Delhi Daredevils at the Ferozeshah Kotla stadium on Monday. Brendon McCullum whom has slowly and steadily been finding some batting form guided the KKR chase, as the team from Kolkata turned in a clinical performance.

The Daredevils chose to bat first, and the already dangerous batting line-up got an even more ferocious look to it, with the arrival of David Warner at the top of the order. He and Sehwag got the team off to a rollicking start with 40 in 3.3 overs, but then Sehwag departed - for once not scoring a half century and Warner followed not much time later. Jayawardena taking KP's position in the order kept the score board ticking, but the innings stuttered because of yet another scratchy innings from Ross Taylor. The Kiwi captain's innings of 16 off 27 deliveries sucked the momentum out of the innings. Irfan Pathan however provided the late boost to the innings with a 36 off 22 balls. Kallis and Sunil Narine were once again the pick of the bowlers, taking two wickets each at less than a run per ball.

Gambir started the innings in his inimitable style as he plundered 36 off 21 deliveries only, and Brendon McCullum matched him shot for shot. Gambhir's dismissal meant the arrival of Kallis, and though the scoring rate dropped a little, the chase was under control throughout. Two top edged pull shots of consecutive balls from Umesh Yadav meant both the set batsmen got dismissed, and that set a few jitters amongst the supporters. However, Yusuf Pathan for once kept his calm and shepherded his team to a comfortable victory. Varun Aaron who made a return to cricket after a long injury lay-off was impressive as he worked up good pace and bounce on the wicket. Watching him and Yadav bowl in tandem must have given hope to a lot of Team India fans.