New Delhi, April 30 (IANS): Delhi Daredevils produced a thorough all-round performance to notch up their fourth win, beating Kolkata Knight Riders by 27 runs in an Indian Premier League (IPL) clash here on Saturday.
Delhi recovered from a poor start to post an strong total of 186/8. It was enough as they claimed wickets at regular intervals to bowl out KKR for 159 in 18.3 overs.
It moved Delhi to second in the standings, with eight points from six matches, demoting KKR to third, due to an inferior run rate. KKR have also played a game more.
Delhi skipper Zaheer Khan (3/21) led the way for a disciplined bowling performance. West Indies' World T20 hero Carlos Brathwaite (3/47) also chipped in with the ball after hitting a quick-fire 34 while batting.
A 106-run fourth wicket partnership between Karun Nair (68) and Sam Billings (54) shaped Delhi's innings at the Ferozeshah Kotla stadium.
Opener Robin Uthappa (72) carried KKR forward but lacked support. Suryakumar Yadav (21) raised some hopes after a brief but eventful stay at the crease. He hit a four and a six but flattered to deceive as he was caught superbly by a forward-lunging Shreyas Iyer.
Uthappa carried the bat through and Andre Russell's lusty hitting (17) brought KKR closer to the target, needing 51 off 24 balls.
Leg-spinner Amit Mishra's sharp caught and bowled chance of Russell broke KKR's momentum in the 17th over.
It proved to be the pivotal moment of the match as KKR lost two more wickets in the next over, including Uthappa's, to fall 27 runs short, losing the final five wickets in the 10 balls.
Earlier, Delhi recovered from a poor start to blast their way to an imposing 186/7.
Nair (68) held the innings together and kept the scoreboard ticking, pulling Delhi to 70/3 in 10 overs.
Middle order batsman Sam Billings (52 off 34 balls) justified his inclusion in the team as he gave company to Nair.
Carlos Brathwaite (34) put the finishing touches to an impressive batting performance from the home team.
