Delhi Capital won the toss and opted to field and seemed like the right thing when in the 1st ball of the innings, Ishant Sharma produced the wicket of Joe Denly (0 out; 1b). However, Robin Uthhapa and Subhman Gill took charge of the situation by putting up a partnership. The duo put up 62 runs on the board in 8 overs. But Robin Utthapa (28 out; 30b; 4X4, 1X6) gets out in the 9th over, trying to hit a short ball and an excellent effort behind the stumps by the keeper, Pant, KKR 63-2. But, Subhman Gill was still managing to score and keep the scoreboard ticking, putting up 86-2 in 12 overs. In the 13th over, Nitish Rana (11 out; 12b; 1X6) departed, unable to hit a Yorker by Chris Morris. The next over Russell and Gill both picked up spinner Axar, reaching 111 in 14 overs with the loss of 3 wickets. However, Keemo Paul takes the much-needed wicket of Gill (65 out; 39b; 7X4, 2X6) in the 15th over, Kolkata Knight Riders 122-4. Russell and Skipper Karthik had put out a brilliant partnership in Kotla, but in this game, the partnership faltered, with Karthik (2 out; 3b) succumbing to the spells of Rabada. Russell and Brathwaite smashed the next over, Delhi looking to stop the danger at hand. But Russell’s (45 out; 21b; 3X4, 4X6) efforts were shortened in the 19th over, trying to go for on a wide off low full-toss delivery and finds a fielder at the boundary line, Knight Riders 161-6. The last over was a good one by Paul sparing 10 runs and the wicket of Brathwaite (6 out; 7b). Kolkata Knight Riders settled for 178-7 as their defending score in 20 overs.
The 2nd innings witnessed an overwhelmingly good cricket by Shikhar Dhawan. Delhi looked comfortable from the second over hitting up boundaries, but soon Pradish Krishna ceased the wicket of Prithvi Shaw (14 out; 7b; 2X6) in the 3rd over, Delhi Capitals 32-1. Within 5 overs Delhi Capitals crossed the 50 marks, but a decision of Shikhar Dhawan’s wicket was ruled against Kolkata, and another catch was dropped by Nitish Rana. However, Kolkata Knight Riders found their momentum in the final over of the powerplay, as Andre Russell showed his skills in bowling and picked up the wicket of skipper Shreyas Iyer (6 out; 6b; 1X4), Delhi Capital 57-2. Rishab Pant and Shikhar Dhawan batted for next 9 overs’, doing all the damage they can with 105 runs partnership. Kolkata got the wicket of Pant (46 out; 31b; 4X4, 2X6), in the 18th over, little late in the innings, when Delhi needed 17 off 17 balls. Shikhar Dhawan’s (97 not out; 63b; 11X4, 2X6) unbeaten 97 runs alone on the board made all the difference, with Colin Ingram (14 not out; 6b; 1X4, 1X6) finishing the chase with a maximum with 7 wickets and 7 balls to spare. Delhi Capitals move into the top 3 of the points table.
