In a second successive low scoring game of this year’s IPL, the hosts, Kolkata Knight Riders thrashed the Delhi Daredevils by 9 wickets at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata today. In a game that was quite one-sided, the former champions started the tournament on a winning note. The Knight Riders’ bowling line up rattled through the Delhi batting line up, dismissing them for a mere 98 in less than 18 overs.
Russell’s early triple strike
Huge congrats to @Russell12A for being man of the match! A well deserved title with his best bowling figure of 3/24 in IPL. #AmiKKR #KKRvDD
— KolkataKnightRiders (@KKRiders) April 10, 2016
After winning the toss, Gautam Gambhir asked the visitors to bat first. Andre Russell defended his captain’s move in an elegant way as he struck thrice in his very first spell. Quinton de Kock was caught by Yusuf Pathan at mid-off for just 17. He was soon followed Shreyas for a duck, owing to his attempt to play the ball early, missing it and getting hit in line of middle and leg. Russell came back with a third in his third over to dismiss the other opener Mayank Agarwal, getting him caught at third man by Brad Hogg, thanks to a thick outside edge. His figures were 3-0-24-3 at the end of the inning.
Hogg gets better with age
Just for laughs – The @Brad_Hogg‘s famous tongue out bowling action @KKRiders #IPLhttps://t.co/fxvHL3hdA6
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) April 10, 2016
Quite like wine, Brad Hogg seems to be getting better with age. At 45, he can still bowl those googlies as brilliantly as he used to 10 years ago. Apart from bowling a wicket maiden, he scalped two more wickets to finish with figures of 4-1-19-3. With some quick work by Robin Utthappa behind the stumps, Hogg sent back the two youngsters of Indian cricket, Sanju Samson and Pawan Negi. His wicket maiden pick was Amit Mishra in the 16th over of the game.
Economical bowling by Kolkata bowlers
Not surprised by Piyush Chawla’s success. He has been one of the top #IPL cricketers. Excellent pick for #KKR
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) April 10, 2016
All the bowlers bowled really well for Kolkata tonight. While Yadav and Colin Munro went for 7 an over, Aussie John Hastings too bowled a maiden, picked up two wickets in just the 2.4 overs he bowled, giving away a mere 6 runs. Piyush Chawla was also among the wickets tonight as he picked up 2 wickets at an economy of 5.25. A commendable bowling effort
Openers provide the perfect start for the Knight Riders
Slowly & Steadily Robin Uthappa Is Straight Driving Into Sikhar Dhawan’s Opening Slot. 😉#IPL #IPLT20 #DDvsKKR #KKRvDD
— Sir Ravindra Jadeja (@SirJadeja) April 10, 2016
The opening pair of Gautam Gambhir and Robin Utthappa gave the ideal start for the hosts. A partnership of 69 in the first 10 overs meant that the chase practically had no hiccups. With 7 boundaries, Utthappa scored 36 off 33 balls, before getting caught by Chris Morris off Amit Mishra at wide long-off. After that, there wasn’t much trouble for them as Gambhir and Pandey finished things off with more than 5 overs to spare.
Most scores of 30+ in #IPL
— Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman) April 10, 2016
52 S Raina
48 R Sharma
47 V Kohli
44 R Uthappa/G Gambhir
41 MS Dhoni#KKRvDD
As Kolkata registered their first win, Delhi will need to contemplate this defeat and will have to rectify the mistakes they’ve committed.