A real dampener
Published : May 02, 2009 00:00 IST
With rains playing havoc with some of the matches, Kings XI Punjab was the team that was the most affected.
Daniel Vettori and the rain gods plotted the defeat of Kings XI Punjab as Delhi Daredevils posted a comprehensive 10-wicket victory in the Indian Premier League in Cape Town.
Rain denied Kings XI Punjab a fighting chance since Duckworth-Lewis calculations tilted the match heavily in favour of Delhi Daredevils, which was set an easy revised target of 30 more runs from 25 balls after being 24 for no loss in 1.4 overs.
Put in to bat, Kings XI made 104 for seven in its stipulated 12 overs. In reply, Daredevils was set a revised target of 54 from six overs following the second rain interruption. Openers Gautam Gambhir (15 not out) and Virender Sehwag (38 not out) took Daredevils to victory in just 4.5 overs.
The start of the match was delayed by heavy rain. The match was first reduced to 14 overs and then to 12 overs a side.
Thanks to a splendid start by openers Karan Goel (38) and Ravi Bopara (22), Kings XI appeared set for a massive score at one stage. However, Vettori’s exceptional bowling changed the complexion of the game. He not only stopped the flow of runs but also picked up three crucial wickets for 15 runs to rock the Punjab outfit.
R. P. Singh on fireA fine bowling performance by medium-pacer R. P. Singh set up Deccan Chargers’s eight-wicket victory over Kolkata Knight Riders on April 19. R. P. Singh claimed four wickets for 22 runs to bundle out Kolkata Knight Riders for a paltry 101 in 19.4 overs.
Rohit Sharma and Herschelle Gibbs then hit sparkling unbeaten 43 and 36 respectively to steer Deccan Chargers to victory in just 13.1 overs.
Captain Adam Gilchrist and V. V. S. Laxman contributed 13 and 10 respectively as the bottom-placed team in the last season started its campaign on a resounding note.
Gayle sizzlesChris Gayle’s blitzkrieg fashioned Kolkata Knight Riders’ 11-run win against Kings XI after the Duckworth Lewis method was applied following rain.
Chasing 159 for victory, Knight Riders was 79 for one after 9.2 overs when the heavens opened up and Kings XI found itself at the receiving end of the rain god’s whims for the second time in succession.
Dropped twice, Gayle (44 not out, 26 balls) butchered the Kings XI attack, hitting four sixes and two fours in the process. Earlier, put in to bat, Kings XI had posted 158 for six in its allotted 20 overs with captain Yuvraj Singh (38), Irfan Pathan (32) and Mahela Jayawardene (31 not out) being the main scorers.
Points splitRajasthan Royals and Mumbai Indians split points after their match was called off due to persistent rain at Kingsmead. Not even a single ball could be bowled due to steady drizzle.
The ScoresKings XI Punjab 104 for seven in 12 overs (K. Goel 38, D. Vettori three for 15) lost to Delhi Daredevils 58 for no loss in 4.5 overs (V. Sehwag 38 not out). Delhi Daredevils won by 10 wickets (D/L method).
Kolkata Knight Riders 101 in 19.4 overs (B. Hodge 31, R. P. Singh four for 22, P. Ojha two for 14, S. Styris two for 32) lost to Deccan Chargers 104 for two in 13.1 overs (H. Gibbs 43 not out, R. Sharma 36 not out).
Kings XI Punjab 158 for six in 20 overs (I. Pathan 32, K. Sangakkara 26, Yuvraj Singh 38, S. Ganguly two for 24) lost to Kolkata Knight Riders 79 for one in 9.2 overs (C. Gayle 44 not out). Kolkata Knight Riders won by 11 runs (D/L method).
Rajasthan Royals v Mumbai Indians. Match abandoned due to rain; teams split points.