Knight Riders crush Daredevils by eight wickets

Gautam Gambhir

New Delhi - Gautam Gambhir and Robin Uthappa’s century stand helped Kolkata Knight Riders end their four-game losing streak as they beat a hapless Delhi Daredevils by eight wickets in an Indian Premier League (IPL) match at the Ferozeshah Kotla here Wednesday.

An unbeaten 55-run stand between JP Duminy (40) and Kedhar Jadhav (26) helped Delhi Daredevils score 160 for five in 20 overs.

The Knight Riders had little trouble chasing the target down with skipper Gambhir leading from the front. They scored 161 for two in 18.2 handing Daredevils their third straight loss and sixth overall this season.

The Daredevils bowling lacked the sting some of the other teams posses and the Knight Riders took full advantage of that, smashed the opposition all over the ground.

Gambhir (69) and Uthappa (47) put on a 106-run partnership for the opening wicket before Uthappa fell to Wayne Parnell in the 12th over. That didn’t stop the Kolkata juggernaut as Manish Pandey (23 not out) carried on from where Uthappa left off.

A stunning one-handed catch by a leaping wicketkeeper, Dinesh Karthik ended Gambhir’s innings.

Jacques Kallis (10 not out) was left to add the finishing touches, giving his team only their third win in eight games.

Earlier, electing to bat in the first day game at Kotla, Delhi lost South African opener Quinton de Kock in the third over.

Captain Kevin Pietersen had a tumultuous 12-ball stay at the crease before running himself out in the sixth over to leaving his team tottering at 26 for two.

Murali Vijay (24) threatened for a while but an ambitious hoick off the Jacques Kallis’ bowling proved to be his downfall.

Dinesh Karthik looked the most solid of the Delhi batsmen and his 36 off 22 balls, which included four fours and a six, giving his team the much-needed impetus.

Karthik fell prey to Shakib Al Hasan while Laxmi Ratan Shukla failed to justify his inclusion with a dismal 10 runs off 14 balls.

The onus was once again left on the shoulders of Duminy, who has been Delhi’s most consistent performer, and Jadhav, his loyal sidekick.

Duminy (40 not out) and Jadhav (26 not out) added 55 runs off 25 balls for the sixth-wicket and bailed Delhi from a precarious 105 for five as the top order was once again found wanting.

Sunil Narine could not have the same impact as his previous performances going for 38 runs in his four overs, picking up the sole wicket of Laxmi Ratan Shukla.

Bangladeshi all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan was the pick of the KKR bowlers with figures of one for 13 in four overs.