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Sun, 08 April 2018
IPL updates: Narine's fireworks lift KKR to victory

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23:53   Narine's fireworks lift KKR to victory


KKR 177-6 (18.5 ovs) vs RCB 176-7 | Scorecard

Sunil Narine hammered a quickfire half-century as Kolkata Knight Riders outclassed Royal Challengers Bangalore by four wickets in Kolkata.

Promoted to open the innings, Narine smashed five sixes and four boundaries in his 19-ball knock of 50.

Nitish Rana, who did the star turn with the ball with wickets of Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers off successive deliveries, played a handy innings of 34.

Captain Dinesh Karthik guided KKR home with a steady knock of 35 as KKR began their campaign in IPL-11 with a win.

Earlier, part-time spinner Nitish Rana struck twice in a sensational one-over spell before Mandeep Singh smashed a whirlwind 18-ball 37 to take Royal Challengers Bangalore to a challenging 176 for seven.

Opener Brendon McCullum set it up for RCB with a sensational 27-ball 43 while AB de Villiers made the Eden Gardens crowd cheer for the visitors with his scintillating 23-ball 44, which was studded with five mouth-watering sixes and one boundary.

Indian captain Virat Kohli (31 off 33) played the second fiddle and after RCB's star were dismissed in quick succession, it was a blazing cameo by Mandeep which enabled RCB post a challenging total.
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23:39   Narine's fireworks lift KKR to victory


KKR 177-6 (18.5 ovs) vs RCB 176-7 | Scorecard

Captain Karthik will have to do it all by himself with tailenders for company at the other end.

Vinay has a slash against Khejroliuya but Sundar puts down a sharp catch at sweeper cover, which gives KKR the important single to bring Karthik back on strike.

Karthik pull a short ball to fine leg for one before Khejroliya attempts a quick bouncer to Vinay and ends up giving away a wide.

Vinay sensibly taps the third ball to square leg for an easy single and Karthik also takes one.

Vinay hits the last ball down the ground past mid-on for a four to take KKR to a four-wicket victory.
23:32   Russell out for 15 but KKR in control


KKR 168-6 (18 ovs) vs RCB 176-7 | Scorecard

Karthik is looking to stay till the end as he takes a single and brings Russell back on strike.

Woakes doing well to bowl it wide of the off-stump and make Russell reach out. The West Indian slashes at one but is beaten before he ducks under a quick bouncer which is called a wide.

Woakes then foxes Russell with a slower ball which Russell looks to hit down the ground but skies it down the ground and de Villiers takes a good catch as he has to evade a collision with McCullum, who is charging towards the catch.

Karthik, who crossed when the catch was taken, hits the next ball for a four to bring the equation down to nine needed from two overs for victory.
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23:28   KKR inch closer to victory against RCB


KKR 162-5 (17 ovs) vs RCB 176-7 | Scorecard

Rinku makes his intentions clear as he gives Woakes the charge and lofts him down the ground for a four before he is beaten trying to play the heave.

Rinku then has another wild swing but gets a thin edge and is caught behind for six. The on-field initially ruled it out before Kohli took the DRS and the UltraEdge showed that there was some edge.

KKR are 147 for five in 16 overs, needing 30 runs from four overs for victory.

Umesh comes back as Andre Russell heaves the first ball over midwicket for a six. The pacer immediately corrects his length and dishes out a barrage of short ball to the West Indian, who is struggling against the bouncers.

But strangely Umesh pitches one right up and Russell lofts it over mid-off and despite not getting it off the middle he pockets a boundary.

Russell all but settles the game with a powerful shot, clubbing Umesh's last ball over midwicket for a six.

Umesh has been hit for 15 runs in his final over as KKR are well in control now with 15 needed from three overs for victory.
23:18   Rana falls for 34 but KKR in control


KKR 141-4 (15 ovs) vs RCB 176-7 | Scorecard

Karthik has been quiet so far but he breaks free with back to back boundaries off Chahal. The KKR captain is ensuring that his team keep the scoreboard ticking while not giving away wickets to continue their good flow in the last few overs.

Chahal has struggled to make an impression, giving away 12 in his third over, for a total of 29 runs in three overs.

Sundar comes back and Rana immediately targets him, lofting him straight back over his head for a six.

But Washington gets revenge off the very next delivery as Rana is dismissed leg before wicket. He goes for the slog sweep but misses and is given out leg before wicket KKR decide to review. And RCB are very lucky that the ball is clipping the leg stump and the decision with the umpire's call.

Rana walks back after a good hand of 34 from 25 balls as KKR are reduced to 138 for four in the 15th over, needing another 39 runs from 33 balls for victory.

UP left-hander Rinku Singh is promoted ahead of Andre Russell.

10 runs from the Washington over, who finishes with expensive figures of one for 48 in four overs.

KKR are 141 for four in 15 overs, needing 36 runs from five overs for victory.
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22:59   Rana, Karthik keep KKR in the hunt


KKR 119-3 (13 ovs) vs RCB 176-7 | Scorecard

Sundar continues to struggle with the ball. He gifts Karthik a full toss which he drills through the covers for a four as he ends up conceding nine from his third over, giving away 38 runs from his first three overs.

Spin from both ends as Chahal comes back. He bowls a good over as Rana and Karthik are content to play him steadily and not try anything fancy as they pick up five from the over.

Left-arm pacer Khejroliya comes back. He continues to keep things tight before he bowls a couple of wides to Karthik, who then tucks a short ball of his hips behind square for two runs.

KKR looking in control on 119 for three in 13 overs, needing another 58 runs from seven overs for victory.

Rana has batted well to score 27 from 22 balls, while Karthik has made 15 from 17 balls.
22:44   Umesh's double strike cripples KKR


KKR 98-3 (10 ovs) vs RCB 176-7 | Scorecard

Pacer Khejroliya follows it up with another tight over as RCB try to squeeze the flow of runs to build some pressure in the middle overs.

Rana lofts Umesh over mid-on but AB rushes back and nearly pulls of a spectacular catch but the ball just evades him and goes for a boundary.

Umesh bowls three dot balls in a row to Rana as he ends up bowling another tight over, giving away just six runs.

At the halfway stage, KKR are 98 for three in 10 overs, needing another 79 runs from 10 overs for victory.

Rana is batting on 20 from 14 balls, while Dinesh Karthik has made five from seven balls.
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22:38   Umesh's double strike cripples KKR


KKR 85-3 (8 ovs) vs RCB 176-7 | Scorecard

Left-arm pacer Kulwant Khejroliya comes into the attack. He continues the tactics of bowling short at Rana, but this time the left-hander gets under it and smokes it high over square leg for a six.

He smashes the next ball square on the off-side for a four followed by two singles off the last two balls as Khejroliya gives away 13 in his first over.

Perhaps proving a point to his former franchise, Umesh strikes again in his next over.

Uthappa goes for the pull but gets a top edge and is caught on the off-side after scoring 13 as KKR suffer another big blow.

Wonderful figures for Umesh, who has taken two for six in two overs.
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22:32   Narine out for 19-ball 50; KKR 2 down


KKR 68-2 (6 ovs) vs RCB 176-7 | Scorecard

Umesh Yadav makes the breakthrough as he is introduced to bowl, in the sixth over of the innings.

Narine swings at the first ball but is beaten before he inside edges the next ball back on to his stumps to be bowled after a quickfire innings of 50 from 19 balls.

New batsman Nitish Rana is welcomed by a barrage of bouncers from a fired-up Umesh.

He looks to pull a short ball but misses and is hit on the helmet for a leg bye to thirdman.

A good start from Umesh as he gives away just two runs, while picking up the wicket of the dangerous Narine.
22:15   Narine blasts 17-ball half-century; KKR on top


KKR 65-1 (5 ovs) vs RCB 176-7 | Scorecard

Narine proving to be unstoppable at the moment. This time he targets Washington, hitting the young spinner down the ground past mid-off for a four.

An under-pressure Washington then tries the quicker delivery which Narine lets go to get a wide down the leg side.

Narine then hammers the fourth ball down the ground over long-off for a six. He lofts the next ball and the fielder at long-on takes the catch as Mandeep takes a good catch but ends up touching the ropes and gives away another six.

Narine comes down but can't hold of the shot for a single to long-on as he races to his half-century from just 17 balls.

The young Washington has suffered as he concedes 19 runs in his second over with RCB rushing to 65 for one in five overs, scoring at 13 runs per over.
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22:09   Narine's attack rallies KKR after early wicket


KKR 46-1 (4 ovs) vs RCB 176-7 | Scorecard

Chahal taken off after just one over as off-spinner Sundar Washington comes into the attack.

He looks to have bowled a tidy over till Robin Uthappa spoils his plans by slamming the last ball back over his head for a straight six to get 10 from the over.

Narine continues his attacking approach. A full delivery from Woakes is smashes down the ground, over long-on for a six before he carves the next over Kohli in the covers for a four.

Narine on a roll out in the middle as he crashes the next ball along the ground through the covers for another boundary.

A swing and a miss for Narine as he makes room and targets the off-side boundary but is beaten by Woakes.

But Narine gets hold of the last ball, pulling it powerfully over the midwicket fence for a six.

Narine has smashed his way to 33 from 12 balls to rally KKR to 46 for one in four overs.
22:01   Lynn out for 5, KKR lose early wicket


KKR 16-1 (2 ovs) vs RCB 176-7 | Scorecard

Sunil Narine will open the innings for KKR along with the big-hitting Australian Chris Lynn.

Leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal opens the bowling for RCB and immediately comes under heavy attack from Narine.

Narine slams the first ball straight down the ground for a four and heaves the next over square leg for a six.

Narine then picks up a single before Lynn also takes one off the last ball as Chahal goes for 12 in his first over.

Chris Woakes bowls a superb first over from the other end. He bowls three straight dot balls to Lynn, who then gets an inside edge for a boundary behind the wickets.

But Woakes gets his man off the next ball as Lynn mishits it on the off-side and is caught by AB de Villiers for five.


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21:38   KKR's bowlers limit RCB to 176


RCB 176-7 (20 ovs) vs KKR | Scorecard

Brendon McCullum stroked a quickfire 43 from 27 balls and AB de Villiers smashed 44 from 23 balls before KKR's bowlers limited RCB to 176 for seven in their 20 overs.

It was part-time spinner Nitish Rana, who turned things around with the wicket of De Villiers and captain Virat Kohli off successive deliveries.

Kohli played a sedate innings of 31 from 33 balls before Mandeep Singh provided the boost at the end, with a quickfire 37 from 18 balls.

For KKR, Rana and Kumar picked up two wickets each.
21:36   KKR's bowlers limit RCB to 176


RCB 176-7 (20 ovs) vs KKR | Scorecard

Sarfaraz Khan's struggle ends as he holes out Johnson to long-on after a poor innings of six from 10 balls.

It is going from bad to worse for RCB following the twin dismissals of Kohli and  De Villiers. They need quite a few boundaries in the remaining 11 deliveries to get around 175.

Chris Woakes is beaten first ball by the incoming delivery before he strokes the next ball for a four as Johnson drops short.

However, he pitches the next one right up and beats Woakes yet again. Mandeep mishits the last ball but it falls just short of the fielder on the fine leg fence.

Vinay Kumar to bowl the final over. Mandeep swings the first ball over the leg side for a six and then swings the next ball behind square for a four.

Vinay then drops short and Mandeep pulls it over midwicket for another six before the pacer finally manages a short ball.

Vinay finally gets revenge as Mandeep goes another big hit but is caught in the deep on the off-side after a quickfire 37 from 18 balls.

Woakes also perishes off the last delivery, caught on the off-side as RCB finish on 176 for seven in their 20 overs.
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21:24  


RCB 154-4 (18 ovs) vs KKR | Scorecard

With two new batsmen out in the middle, Russell continues and sends down another tight over, giving away five.

Johnson comes back as Rana is taken off despite taking dismissing the two best batsmen in the world off successive deliveries.

Johnson though continues the recent good work by the KKR bowlers as he also gives away just five runs with RCB losing the momentum.

Narine, who has one over in hand, comes back. The first ball is short and Mandeep despatches it for a much-needed boundary followed by two singles.

Mandeep then guides one off his pads fine on the leg side for another four and then takes one as RCB goes past 150 in the 18th over.
21:14   Rana's double strike cripples RCB


RCB 132-4 (15 ovs) vs KKR | Scorecard

Johnson comes back and beats De Villiers with the first ball which comes in sharply. The umpire rules him out caught behind before AB straightaway takes the DRS and rightly so as the ball had clipped the top of the pads on the way through to the keeper.

AB survives the appeal courtesy of DRS before he pulls the next ball through square leg for a four. The next ball is pitched up and slightly wide and AB lofts it over the covers for a six to race to 33 from 12 balls.

RCB looking on course around the 200-mark if the duo continue to bat like this for the next few overs.

Kohli keeps getting the odd boundary in between as he charges Chawla and deposits him over the midwicket fence.

All-rounder Andre Russell introduced quite early as he comes in to bowl the 14th over. He mixes his pace quite well and starts off well with the ball to give away just five singles.

KKR take a gamble as they introduce part-timer Nitish Rana. De Villiers needs no second invitation as he lofts the first ball for a six over midwicket.

But Rana has the last laugh as De Villiers top edges the very next ball and is caught on the leg side after a quickfire 44 from 23 balls.

And he strikes again with the next with another big wicket as Kohli chops it back on to his stumps to be bowled after a sedate innings of 31 from 33 balls.

Mandeep Singh wastes no time as he sweeps the first ball he faces, from Rana, for a boundary and then takes one.
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20:47   Kohli, De Villiers boost RCB


RCB 96-2 (11 ovs) vs KKR | Scorecard

Mystery spinner Sunil Narine comes into the attack. He makes a very good start as he gives away just two singles in his first over with KKR looking to build some pressure with some tight overs from their spinners.

Veteran pacer Mitchell Johnson comes into the attack. McCullum swings the first ball through the off-side for a four and two balls later slams it over mid-off for another boundary.

Narine strikes in his next over with the wicket of McCullum. The RCB looks to swing Narine over the leg side but misses and is bowled after a quickfire 43 from 27 balls.

Wonderful stuff from Narine, conceding just five runs from two overs, while picking up a wicket.

AB de Villiers decides to take the attack to the spinners, while Kohli looks to hold one end up.

Four singles from four balls before AB smashes Kuldeep for back to back sixes to take RCB to 82 for two in 10 overs.

In the next over, de Villiers slog sweeps Narine over midwicket for another six. Kohli also joins the party as he comes down the track and lofts Narine over the covers for a four and picks up two from the last ball to make it 14 runs from the over.
20:27   RCB lose early wicket against KKR


RCB 52-1 (6 ovs) vs KKR | Scorecard

Chawla bowls a good second over giving away just six runs, partly spoilt by a short ball which is cut by McCullum for a four as the leggie drops short.

Kuldeep bowls a poor delivery, way down the leg side as wicketkeeper Karthik also misses to give away five wides.

McCullum miscues the next ball over mid-off for a boundary but is beaten off the next ball as Karthik appeals for the stumping but the batsman has dragged his feet back.

Chawla continues in the Powerplay and sends down another tidy over despite McCullum hitting the last ball for a straight six.

RCB have made a good start despite the early wicket, to reach 52 for one in six overs.
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20:23   RCB lose early wicket against KKR


RCB 28-1 (3 ovs) vs KKR | Scorecard

The dangerous duo of Brendon McCullum open the batting for RCB along with Quinton de Kock.

Vinay Kumar opens the bowling for hosts KKR. The first ball is on the pads as McCullum clips it square to start off with a boundary. Three balls later, he pulls a short ball but gets a top edge which flies over the square leg fence for a six.

McCullum comes down the track and has another go but is beaten before he clips the last ball again through the leg side for another boundary to get 14 from the first over.

Leg-spinner Piyush Chawla to bowl the second over. The first ball is pitched up as Quinton de Kock gets off the mark with a boundary off the first ball he faces like McCullum in the first over.

The next ball is a googly which beats de Kock all ends up before he tries the paddle sweep but can't beat short fine leg.

He then plays the reverse sweep but straight into the hands of the fielder at Vinay Kumar at point to perish for four.

Captain Virat Kohli gets off the mark with two runs through midwicket and picks one from the last ball.

Left-arm chinaman spinner Kuldeep Yadav also introduced early as KKR bring on wrist spinners from both ends. He bowls a tidy over, conceding just seven runs from his first over as RCB reach 28 for one in three overs.
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19:37   KKR elect to bowl vs RCB; Punjab outclass Delhi
The toss has taken place at the Eden Gardens where new captain Dinesh Karthik has won the toss and elected to bowl against Royal Challengers Bangalore.

RCB captain Virat Kohli, who had disclosed that he will bat at No. 3 this year, has chosen Quinton de Kock and Brendon McCullum to open the innings, while AB de Villiers and Chris Woakes are the other two overseas players.

For KKR, the four overseas players are Chris Lynn, Sunil Narine, Andre Russell and Mitchell Johnson.

In the first match of the day, Punjab outclassed Delhi by six wickets courtesy of half-centuries from KL Rahul and Karun Nair.


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19:30   Rahul's blast powers Punjab to victory


Punjab 167-4 (18.5 ovs) vs Delhi 166-7 | Scorecard


Opener KL Rahul blasted 51 from 16 balls while Karun Nair hit 50 from 33 balls to power Punjab to a convincing six-wicket victory against Delhi Daredevils, in the IPL on Sunday.

Delhi never really recovered after Rahul's onslaught and though they claimed a few wickets in the middle, Punjab had the chase under control right through.

David Miller batted sensibly to guide Punjab home with a steady innings of 24, while Marcus Stoinis stroked an unbeaten 22 from 15 balls.

Earlier, captain Gautam Gambhir stroked 55 from 42 balls before Punjab's bowlers restricted the visitors to 166 for seven in their 20 overs.

Afghanistan's young spinner Mujeeb Ur Rahman shone on his IPL debut, claiming two for 28, while Mohit Sharma claimed two for 33.

Virat Kohli-led Royal Challengers Bangalore will take on Kolkata Knight Riders in the second match of the day.
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19:25   Rahul's blast powers Punjab to victory


Punjab 167-4 (18.5 ovs) vs Delhi 166-7 | Scorecard


Stoinis paddle sweeps Tewatia fine for two runs and then picks one and Miller also takes a single.

Stoinis tries the reverse sweep but misses before he lofts a short ball over the covers for a four.

He gets three runs from the final delivery to make it 11 runs from the over to bring the equation down to 15 from three overs for victory.

Stoinis is hit on the knee as he misses a flick off Morris and the physio has to come out and attend him.

Miller not taking any risks as Punjab calmly pick five runs from the 18th over, to make it 10 needed from two overs for victory.

Boult comes back but oversteps to give away a no-ball and a free hit but Miller can only get a single off it.

Punjab's batsmen content to take singles and coast to victory calmly rather than attempt a few big hits and end with a bang.

Stoinis finally gets the boundary as he smashes a slower ball from Boult  down the ground past long-off for a four to level scores.

He finishes off the match off the next ball as Punjab register a convincing six-wicket victory.


19:09   Karun falls for 50, Punjab 4 down


Punjab 141-4 (16 ovs) vs Delhi 166-7 | Scorecard


Without much of a hassle, Miller and Karun pick six runs off Mishra's fourth over, who ends up giving away 46 runs from his four overs.

Except for some late drama, Punjab look on course for an easy win, with 35 needed from five overs for victory.

In the next over, Karun pulls Christian over midwicket for a six to race to his fifty in grand style, from just 31 balls.

He tries to repeat the shot but this time he fails to get enough power and is caught on the midwicket fence.

Karun perishes after a good innings of 50 from 33 balls, having hit five fours and two sixes.

This could be the lifeline Delhi were looking for but Punjab still some have batting to follow and they would fancy their chances of chasing this down easily.

Marcus Stoinis starts off with a cracking straight drive off Christian for two runs as the fielder at long-off does well to stop it.

Punjab are 141 for four in 16 overs, needing 26 runs from the last four overs for victory.
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18:58   Karun keeps Punjab on course


Punjab 126-3 (14 ovs) vs Delhi 166-7 | Scorecard


After being hit for 24 runs in his first over, Mishra comes back. And he starts with a poor delivery, a full delivery way down the leg side which Nair helps fine for a four to take Punjab past the 100-run mark, in the 11th over.

In the next over, Tewatia bowls a loose delivery, short and wide which Miller hammers through the covers for a four.

Punjab are looking comfortable on 115 for three, needing another 52 runs from eight overs for victory with seven wickets in hand.

Both Nair and Miller looking to play sensibly and not lose any wickets in the next few overs. With the runs coming easily, through ones and twos against the spinners, they are not forced to take any undue risks.

The experienced Mishra has proved to be expensive, giving away 40 runs from his three overs, while Tewatia has picked up one for eight in his two overs.

Delhi need a few quick wickets to bring themselves back into the contest or else Punjab could easily chase down this total.

Five singles from Tewatia's third over takes Punjab's total to 126 for three in 14 overs, needing another 41 runs from six overs for victory.

Karun has played well to keep Punjab going in the middle overs, stroking 43 from 27 balls, while Miller has made 13 from 14 balls.
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18:45   Yuvraj falls for 12, Punjab 3 down


Punjab 99-3 (10 ovs) vs Delhi 166-7 | Scorecard


Leg-spinner Rahul Tewatia comes into the attack. He strikes with the wicket of the struggling Yuvraj, who comes down the track and hits it straight into the hands of Shankar at deep midwicket.

That ends a painstaking innings from Yuvraj, who managed just 12 from 22 balls.

A good start with the ball for Tewatia, who picks up a wicket and ends up giving away just two runs as Punjab reach 99 for three in 10 overs.
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18:37   Rahul's attack puts Punjab in control


Punjab 97-2 (9 ovs) vs Delhi 166-7 | Scorecard


Morris overpitches as Karun Nair clips it through midwicket for a four to get off the mark in some style.

Yuvraj then gets a thick outside edge which flies fine on the off-side for another four.

Punjab reach 73 for two in six overs courtesy of Rahul's blazing knock at the start.

Nair ensuring Punjab don't lose the momentum as he lofts Boult straight down the ground for a six over long-off.

Medium pacer Dan Christian comes into the attack. He makes a tidy start, giving away just three singles in his first over with Yuvraj struggling to keep the runs coming, having scored just 11 from 19 balls.

Shami comes back into the attack. Nair is playing in the same tempo as his Karnataka team mate Rahul earlier on. He drives Shami on either side of the wicket as the pacer errs with his length for boundaries before a late cut makes it a hat-trick of fours.

Punjab in control on 97 for two in nine overs with Nair on 27 from 13 balls, and Yuvraj content to play second fiddle on 12 from 20 balls. They need another 70 runs from 11 overs for victory at just over six runs per over.
18:19   Rahul out for 16-ball 51, Punjab 2 down


Punjab 64-2 (5 ovs) vs Delhi 166-7 | Scorecard


Rahul's 14-ball half-century is the fastest in the history of IPL, beating the record jointly held by Yusuf Pathan and Sunil Narine, who both got to their half-centuries from 15 balls.

Boult comes back into the attack and he raises Delhi's hopes with the key wicket of Rahul.

Rahul tries to flick a full toss on the leg side but gets a leading edge and is caught at short thirdman by Shami.

Rahul walks back to a huge cheer from his home fans after a sensational innings of 51 from just 16 balls, laced with six fours and four sixes.
18:14   Agarwal out for 7, Punjab lose 1st wicket


Punjab 63-1 (4 ovs) vs Delhi 166-7 | Scorecard


The two young Punjab openers are taking Delhi's bowling apart in the Powerplay.

Chris Morris comes into the attack as Mayank Agarwal smashes the first ball over the off-side for his first six as he looks to join the party.

But Morris makes the breakthrough with the wicket of Agarwal, who is caught at mid-on to perish for seven.

Veteran Yuvraj Singh walks in at No. 3 with Punjab having made a great start courtesy of Rahul's fireworks.

Yuvraj takes no time to get going as he flicks Morris through midwicket for a four. He punches the next ball straight but the ball hits the stumps at the bowler's end before he keeps strike with one from the last ball.
18:08   KL Rahul slams 14-ball fifty, Punjab on top


Punjab 52-0 (3 ovs) vs Delhi 166-7 | Scorecard


Delhi introduce spin early as veteran Amit Mishra comes into the attack but Rahul continues his attacking approach.

He steps out to the first ball and drives the first ball through the covers for a four and lofts the next ball over long-off for a six.

Rahul in a rush at the moment. He sweeps the next ball and even though he slips he is able to get enough power to get it over square leg for another six.

Mishra doesn't help his cause by bowling a short ball which Rahul pulls over midwicket for another four.

Rahul then chips down the track and drives Mishra straight down the ground past mid-on for another four to race to his fifty from just 14 balls, having hit six fours and four sixes.

Mishra goes for 24 in his first over as Punjab race to 52 from three overs, with Rahul having scored 51 of those.
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18:04   Punjab off to a flier after Delhi post 166


Punjab 28-0 (2 ovs) vs Delhi 166-7 | Scorecard


The Karnataka duo of KL Rahul and Mayank Agarwal are opening the batting for Punjab, who will look to make a solid start with the bat and not lose too many early wickets.

Left-arm pacer Trent Boult opens the bowling for Delhi but he comes under attack in the very first over.

Rahul turns the second ball on the leg side for two runs before he top edges a short ball trying to nudge it fine but he manages to get it over the fine leg fence for a six.

He comes down the track and hammers the next ball over the covers for a four. The next ball is smashed along the ground through the same region for another boundary as Boult is hit for 16 runs in the first over.

Mohammed Shami from the other end. And there is no stopping Rahul, who pulls the third ball over fine leg for a six before flicking the next ball square for a four followed by a single to race to 27 from just nine balls.

Punjab off to a flier as they race to 28 for no loss in just two overs.
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17:43   Gambhir hits 55 but Punjab limit Delhi to 166


Delhi 166-7 (20 ovs) vs Punjab | Scorecard


Mohit comes back as Chris Morris breaks the shackles with a huge six over midwicket. Five singles from the rest of the over makes it 11 from Mohit's third over.

The young Mujeeb to bowl the 18th over. His variations keeps the batsmen guessing who are content to take the singles and deny the mystery spinner a wicket in his final over.

Just six from the over as Mujeeb finishes with excellent figures of two for 28 on his IPL debut.

T20 death overs specialist Tye is struggling today. He bowls a high full to Christian which is ruled a no-ball and the free hit is despatched for a six by the Australian all-rounder.

Mohit ends the final over with the wicket of Christian, who misses a yorker which goes on to crash into the stumps.

A good hand from Chris Morris, who finishes unbeaten on 27 from 16 balls but Delhi must be disappointed to finish on 166 for seven in their 20 overs.


17:24   Gambhir run out for 55 as Delhi struggle


Delhi 127-6 (16 ovs) vs Punjab | Scorecard


And Delhi are dealt another huge blow in the next over as captain Gambhir is run out.

Gambhir, who stroked 55 from 42 balls, rushes for a quick single as Tewatia taps the last ball of the over to short fine leg. But Mujeeb gets a direct hit from the edge of the circle to run out Gambhir and cripple Delhi's chances of crossing 175.

Ashwin continues Punjab's wicket ways as Tewatia attempts the reverse sweep but misses and is trapped leg before wicket for nine.

Just four singles from the over as Ashwin finishes with one for 23 in four overs.

Delhi need a strong finish as they are reduced to 127 for six in 16 overs.
17:11   Mujeeb bags 2nd wicket, Pant out for 28


Delhi 118-4 (14 ovs) vs Punjab | Scorecard


Ashwin keeps shuffling his bowlers around as he comes back for another spell. Gambhir tries the slog sweep but is lucky that he didn't connect well as the ball falls between the fielder at deep midwicket and long-on.

A single from the fifth ball helps Gambhir bring up his half-century, from 36 balls.

What a superb knock from the captain on his return to Delhi after seven years.

Youngster Pant targets pacer Tye as he heaves the first ball over midwicket for a four. He repeats the shot off the next ball and this time connects well for a six over the same region to take Delhi past the 100-run mark, in the 13th over.

A couple of singles before Pant pulls Tye for another four in the over followed by a single to get 17 from the over.

Mujeeb comes back into the attack and he strikes again to check Delhi's charge.

Pant smashes the first ball straight down the ground for a four before the young spinner gets revenge. He looks to heave it on the leg side but only ends up lobbing a high catch on the off-side with Tye doing well to hold on.

Pant walks back after a quickfire knock of 28 from 13 balls.

Rahul Tewatia makes his intentions clear as he reverse sweeps Mujeeb for a boundary followed by two runs off the last ball.

Delhi are reduced to 118 for four in 14 overs, with Gambhir going strong on 52 from 39 balls.
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16:57   Shankar out for 13, Delhi 3 down


Delhi 84-3 (11 ovs) vs Punjab | Scorecard


Pacer Mohit comes back and strikes with the wicket of Shankar. The right-hander, who struggled to get going during his innings of 13,  tries a big hit on the leg side but ends up holing out a simple catch to Axar at deep midwicket.

Rishabh Pant gets off the mark in cracking fashion, driving a full delivery from Mohit through the covers for a four.

Another good over from Mohit as Delhi are reduced to 84 for three in 11 overs, with Gambhir on 47 from 33 balls.
16:50   Iyer fails with the bat, Delhi 2 down


Delhi 77-2 (10 ovs) vs Punjab | Scorecard


Ashwin, who opened the bowling, comes back into the attack. Gambhir picks a single from the first ball before Vijay Shankar turns the next ball to deep square leg and has to rush back for the second.

Two singles before Shankar is beaten all ends up by the leg-spinner from Ashwin, who is lucky not to have dragged his feet outside the crease.

He drives the last ball which is straight and skids on to mid-on where Ashwin is unable to stop the single.

Gambhir keen to attack Axar but the spinner does well to adjust his length and the left-hander can only turn it on the leg side for one.

Two balls later, he looks to sweep but gets the top edge which goes short fine leg for a four.

Axar has got the wicket of Iyer, but conceded far too many runs, giving away 35 from his three overs, exactly half the runs Delhi have scored in the first nine overs.

Interesting change from Punjab as part-time medium pacer Marcus Stoinis comes into the attack.

Vijay turns the first ball on the leg side for one before Gambhir pulls a slower bouncer to deep midwicket for a single.

Vijay content to play his role, of giving as much strike as possible to Gambhir as he flicks Stoinis to the man in the deep on the leg side.

At the halfway stage, Delhi are 77 for two in 10 overs with Gambhir on 45 from 31 balls and Shankar on 13 from 12 balls.
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16:36   Iyer fails with the bat, Delhi 2 down


Delhi 54-2 (7 ovs) vs Punjab | Scorecard


Just the fourth over of the innings and we already have the third spinner coming into the attack in the form of left-arm spinner Axar Patel.

Gambhir keen to break the shackles takes on Axar rightaway as he lofts the second ball over the covers for a four. The next ball is swept square on the leg side for another four before he makes room and plays the inside out lofted shot for a six.

Two more singles as Delhi get 17 runs from Axar's first over to release some early pressure.

Rahman continues as Delhi have a close shave. Iyer taps the second ball to point and Gambhir sprints across for a quick single, making his crease just in time.

Gambhir goes after Rahman as he plays the inside out shot yet again for another four and then gets two runs from the next ball, playing the sweep shot. A single off the next ball sees the Delhi captain race to 29 from 17 balls.

Iyer is struggling to pick Rahman's variations and he is hit on the backpad trying to play it across the line on the leg side. The umpire turns down the confident appeal and Punjab decide to take the DRS. The ball is clipping the top of the bails which means the decision stays with the umpire's call and Iyer survives.

Pacer Andrew Tye is introduced, to bowl the sixth over of the innings. He makes a good start with three dot balls to Gambhir before the Delhi pulls a short ball on  the leg side to get a much-needed boundary.

Punjab have managed to keep Delhi in check in the Powerplay as the visitors reach 45 for one in six overs with Gambhir on 34 from 22 balls and Iyer on four.

Axar getting some rough treatment. After an expensive first over, Axar comes under attack from Iyer, who lofts him back over his head for a six.

However, Axar has the last laugh as Iyer is caught behind for 11. He gets an edge and wicketkeeper Rahul does well to take a sharp catch behind the stumps.
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16:17   Rahman strikes early, Munro out for 4


Delhi 13-1 (3 ovs) vs Punjab | Scorecard


Pacer Mohit Sharma to bowl the second over. He bowls a tidy over first up, conceding just five singles including a leg bye.

Just a single over for Ashwin with the new ball before he introduces Afghanistan's debutant mystery spinner Mujeeb Rahman.

Gambhir picks a single from the second ball before Rahman strikes in his very first over in the IPL with the wicket of Munro.

The left-hander attempts the reverse sweep but is beaten and is trapped leg before wicket for four.

Shreyas Iyer is beaten first ball as Rahman gets it to spin sharply, coming into the right-hander as they go up in appeal but it is turned down.

Iyer then taps the fifth ball on the off-side for one as Rahman makes a dream start in the IPL, picking up a wicket and giving away just two runs.
16:04  


Delhi 6-0 (1 ov) vs Punjab | Scorecard


Captain and off-spinner Ravi Ashwin will open the bowling for Punjab and not surprising so with left-handers opening the batting for Delhi -- Gambhir and Munro.

Munro gets off the mark with a single on the leg side from the first delivery. Gambhir turns the next ball through midwicket for two runs before taking one to long-off.

Munro is then beaten by Ashwin as he looks to drive but is beaten and KL Rahul does well to whip off the bails in a flash. The stumping appeal is referred upstairs but Munro has dragged his feet back just in time before he takes one from the next ball.

Gambhir keeps strike with a single from the last ball as six come from the first over.
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15:58   Punjab win toss, elect to bowl vs Delhi
Punjab have gone in with three spinners in Ashwin, Axar Patel and Mujeeb and it could be a challenge for part-time wicketkeeper KL Rahul behind the stumps.

Pacer Mohammed Shami will be delighted to be back playing after his recent troubles and he is part of a strong Delhi squad, who have three frontline pacers in Shami, Trent Boult and Chris Morris, while Dan Christian can also send down some overs.

Check out the playing XIs of the two teams:


Delhi Daredevils: Gautam Gambhir (captain), Colin Munro, Shreyas Iyer, Rishabh Pant (w/k), Chris Morris, Vijay Shankar, Daniel Christian, Rahul Tewatia, Amit Mishra, Trent Boult, Mohammed Shami.

Kings XI Punjab: Ravichandran Ashwin (captain), KL Rahul (w/k), Mayank Agarwal, Karun Nair, Yuvraj Singh, David Miller, Marcus Stoinis, Axar Patel, Andrew Tye, Mohit Sharma, Mujeeb Ur Rahman
15:36   Punjab win toss, elect to bowl vs Delhi
Kings XI Punjab's Ravichandran Ashwin starts off the right note on his captaincy debut as he wins the toss and elects to bowl against Delhi Daredevils, who welcome back skipper Gautam Gambhir.

Hosts Punjab are fielding Marcus Stoinis, David Miller, Mujeeb Zadran and Andrew Tye as their four foreign players.

For Delhi, Colin Munro, Dan Christian, Chris Morris and Trent Boult are the four overseas players.
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15:30   'New look' Kings XI Punjab take on Delhi Daredevils
A new look Kings XI Punjab under Ravichandran Ashwin will take on Delhi Daredevils in their opening encounter of IPL-2018, in Mohali, on Sunday, as both sides look to begin the T20 tournament on a winning note.

This season, KXIP look a balanced side with Ashwin set for his maiden stint as captain of an IPL team. It has players of the calibre of Yuvraj Singh, Chris Gayle, David Miller, K L Rahul and Aaron Finch not to speak of the likes of Manoj Tiwary, Mohit Sharma, Axar Patel and Mujeeb-ur-Rahman.

Barring a few who have been retained, most of the domestic and some foreign players have joined the team this season.

Punjab mentor Virender Sehwag rated the new-look team as the best of all seasons.

KXIP's best finish in the decade-old tournament has been to reach the finals in 2014.

Inconsistency in their performance has been a cause of concern for the Punjab outfit and the team will have to overcome this aspect if they want to finish on top this time.

Delhi Daredevils share similarities with Punjab team, as they too have struggled in the last few seasons.

DD's head coach Ricky Ponting has exuded optimism and said that he doesn't care about his team's dismal record over 10 editions of IPL as he believes that the 'fresh group' of players have it in them to win a maiden title this season.

Delhi reached semi-finals twice in their first three seasons.

The Gautam Gambhir-led side has an ideal mix of youth and experience. Gambhir has helped his previous outfit Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to clinch titles on two occasions

Delhi have retained wicket-keeper batsman Rishabh Pant and opener Shreyas Iyer.

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