All-round Punjab crush Delhi

MOHALI: Opener Martin Guptill struck an unbeaten 50 as Kings XI Punjab capped their bowlers’ domination of Delhi Daredevils with a 10-wicket win in their IPL 2017 clash at the PCA Stadium on Sunday.

Pace bowler Sandeep Sharma captured four for 20 as Glenn Maxwell’s team routed Delhi Daredevils for 67 in 17.1 overs. Guptill and fit-again Hashim Amla (16 no) then guided Kings XI Punjab to 68 for no loss in 7.5 overs.

Delhi Daredevils slumped to their lowest IPL total. Their earlier lowest was 80 all out in 19.1 overs against Sunrisers Hyderabad in 2013. The result lifted Kings XI Punjab to fifth spot in the IPL points table, while Delhi Daredevils languish at the bottom.

Karun Nair led Delhi Daredevils in place of injured skipper Zaheer Khan, but the batsman’s struggles only added to the team’s batting misery as just three reached double figures.

Martin Guptill’s 27-ball half century included six fours and three sixes while Hashim Amla was happy to play the supporting role.

Delhi Daredevils batting unravelled against a disciplined Kings XI Punjab bowling attack. Sandeep Sharma took a stunning return catch, low to his left to dismiss Shreyas Iyer (6) and claim his third wicket in only the fifth over, dashing Delhi Daredevils’ hopes of putting up a decent total.

Despite boasting of a strong bowling line-up, Delhi Daredevils were unlikely to emulate the KXIP pacers, be it checking the flow of runs or taking early wickets. Guptill hammered Mohammed Shami for two fours in the first over and hit Kagiso Rabada for two fours before carting Chris Morris and Amit Mishra for a six each to complete a comprehensive win.

Kings XI Punjab bowlers, led by Sandeep Sharma, redeemed themselves, after a Friday night flop show against holders Sunrisers Hyderabad, to bundle out Delhi Daredevils for a paltry total.