IPL 2018, DD vs KXIP: 5 reasons why DD lost

In one of the best finishes in the 2018 edition of the Indian Premier League, the Kings XI Punjab defeated the Delhi Daredevils by four runs at the Ferozshah Kotla on Monday.

Chasing 144 runs for a win, the hosts could muster only 139 for 8 in their 20 overs despite a terrific innings of 57 runs from 45 by Shreyas Iyer.

Here are five reasons why the Daredevils failed to cross the line on Monday night:#

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#5 Ankit-Andrew do the trick

Ankit Rajpoot had a great night with the ball

Defending a total of 144 runs, one would hope for not one but a few players to stand up and deliver.

On a wicket that was taking a good level of turn, the combination of Ankit Rajpoot and Andrew Tye delivered the goods for the visitors with the ball, taking combined figures of 4 for 48 in eight overs to stifle the hosts.

With all the focus on the likes of Ashwin and Mujeeb Ur Rahman, it was Rajpoot who gave his side with the early scalps they needed and hopefully he can continue to do that in the upcoming matches.

#4 The Daredevils top order fail to deliver

Gambhir had yet another failure with the bat

While chasing a score of 144 runs, ideally it takes one or two sizeable partnerships to take the side home.

However, within the completion of the Powerplay, the hosts found himself at 42 for 3 with Prithvi Shaw, Gautam Gambhir and Glenn Maxwell all back in the pavilion.

That meant that the Daredevils middle order had to stand up and be counted and for all their efforts, they fell short in the end by five runs and they will hope to begin well with the bat in the next few games, which are now absolutely vital if they hope to progress into the next round.

#3 Rahul Tewatia's dismissal alters the game in KXIP's favour

Tewatia was turning the game in the favour of Delhi

After the 15th over, the Daredevils found themselves at 96 for 5, needing 48 runs in 30 balls.

At that point in time, it seemed like any body's game, but Rahul Tewatia turned the game slightly in favour of the hosts when he smashed Barinder Sran for 16 runs off the 17th over to bring the equation down to 28 runs in three overs.

However, in the following over, Tye removed Tewatia to tilt the game in his side's favour and as much as Iyer tried to win it for the hosts, it went in vain in the end.

#2 Mujeeb finishes it for KXIP

Mujeeb bowled the final over of the Daredevils' innings

Needing 17 runs off the final over, skipper Ashwin threw the ball to young Rehman to close the game for his side.

After a mixed start to the over, the young man responded well to the pressure scenario and defending five runs off the final ball claimed the wicket of Iyer to help his side clinch a thrilling four-run win.

It was a gamble that Ashwin took to throw the ball to the 16-year-old and it proved to be successful in the end.

#1 Sran's epic comeback

Sran

conceded just four runs in the penultimate over

KXIP left-arm pacer Sran was going through a tough time in the office on Monday, unable to find any control in his bowling during the course of his spell.

With 21 runs needed in two overs, Ashwin threw the ball to the local lad and he didn't disappoint his skipper, giving away a mere four runs and also taking the wicket of Plunkett to bring the game back in his team's favour.

After getting hit for 41 runs in his first three overs, it was a fine comeback from him, one which paved the way for KXIP's win.

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