IPL 2018, DD vs KKR: 3 masterstrokes from the game

#2 Bowling changes at important junctures of the game by the Delhi captain

In his first game as captain, Shreyas Iyer made some courageous bowling decisions which turned the course of the game. KKR were chasing a tough target of 220 runs with a required run rate of 11 runs per over.

Glenn Maxwell was introduced in the second over of the innings against the dangerous batting pair of Sunil Narine and Chris Lynn, and this proved to be a masterstroke as Maxwell removed the dangerous Chris Lynn on the 5th ball of the second over. Lynn tried to hit across the line but the ball skidded on to hit the stumps.

Shreyas Iyer persisted with Trent Boult, who picked up Robin Uthappa and Sunil Narine in the 3rd over of KKR’s innings. Sunil Narine (26 of 9 balls), in particular, was looking in ominous touch until he was caught by Iyer inside the inner ring of a short delivery from Trent Boult.

The game was in the balance until the 16th over, which turned out to be the game-changing over of the match. Andre Russell and Shubman Gill stitched together a 64-run partnership until Gill was run-out trying to steal a single from the point region. Gill was short of the crease and the partnership was broken.

Shivam Mavi didn’t last long as he was bowled on the last ball of the over of a wrong one from Amit Mishra. This over from Mishra yielded just a leg bye and the game swung towards Delhi.

In the next over, Andre Russell received a barrage of short deliveries from Avish Khan and the West Indian couldn’t connect. Finally, he was clean bowled off a yorker on the 5th ball of the over for a breezy 44 of 30 balls, which consisted of 3 boundaries and 4 maximums.

This was the final nail in the coffin and it ensured Delhi had an easy win at the end.