DC VS KKR MATCH 28

Right then, Delhi have their first win and it has come in front of their home crowd who were craving to see their team victorious. The action in the 16th edition of the Indian T20 League continues on Friday, 21st of April as Chennai take on Hyderabad for match number 29 at the M. A. Chidambaram Stadium. The game is at 7.30 pm (2 pm GMT), but the build-up will begin well in advance. Do join us and until then, goodbye and cheers!

Ishant Sharma is the Player of the Match. He says that he was just waiting for his chance. Adds that it just depends on the plans and how to execute those plans. He ends by saying that there is no lucky charm in the team and everyone gave their best.

David Warner the captain of Delhi says that he is just grateful to get the two points on the board. Mentions that everyone did well and it was a really good bowling effort. Adds that they wanted to take wickets in the Powerplay and that is what they got. Mentions that while batting they wanted to score quickly in the Powerplay and got a good start but they lost a few quick wickets. Claims that winning is very satisfying and that they have a good set of players. Informs that there was a good chat and they discussed what areas they need to improve so it is good everyone took the feedback well and had an okay game.

Time for the presentations...

Nitish Rana the skipper of Kolkata says they fell short by some runs. Adds that he takes responsibility for the loss as he should have batted well and not given away his wicket cheaply. He gives credit to the bowlers for doing so well in trying to defend this low total. Ends by saying that as a team they should play well overall, and they will bounce back stronger.

The hosts after winning the toss dominated with the ball and managed to bowl their opponents out on the last ball of the inning. Ishant Sharma's inclusion in the side was a revelation as he claimed two wickets and so did Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, and Anrich Nortje with Mukesh Kumar chipping in with one. Kolkata also made four changes to their playing eleven and it was Jason Roy who held one end as wickets fell freely on the other side. He fell 7 runs short of his half-century and Andre Russell played a cameo towards the end to push them close to the 130-run mark but it was never really going to be enough to defend.

The pace bowlers for Kolkata could not start well and were unable to take wickets in the first few overs which allowed the opponents to get a good start. The introduction of spin saw them draw first blood as Varun Chakaravarthy got a wicket in his first over. Nitish Rana decided to bring himself into the attack and took a wicket with Anukul Roy striking in the very next over. This gave them a glimmer of hope and when Varun Chakaravarthy sent the Delhi skipper back to the shed, they started to believe. Nitish Rana and Anukul Roy took one more wicket each and kept the visitors in the hunt but in the end, the batting effort cost them this game.

Delhi came out with the right intent in the run-chase as David Warner took the attack to the fast bowlers. Prithvi Shaw's struggle continued and their overseas pair of Mitchell Marsh and Philip Salt could not make much of an impact. Manish Pandey played the anchor role as the skipper continued to accumulate runs at a steady rate but the latter's dismissal initiated a collapse. Three quick wickets had them struggling to overcome the target but Axar Patel and Lalit Yadav managed to stop the slide. Axar Patel managed to keep his nerves and take his team over the finish line in the last over but the hosts will want to be more clinical in future games.

Delhi have somehow managed to take the game right down to the wire when this run chase should have been a walk in the park! Nevertheless, they have managed to get over the finish line and get their first points on the board courtesy of a strong bowling performance. They were cruising at one point but managed to make a mountain out of a molehill and their batting collapse will continue to send alarm bells in the dressing room. Kolkata have now suffered their fourth defeat and it was their batting that disappointed this time around but their bowlers managed to make a fight out of this game.

Delhi have done it! Kulwant Khejroliya bowls a full toss, on middle, Axar Patel flicks it over mid-wicket for a brace. Delhi beat Kolkata by 4 wickets!

NO BALL! Full and on off, Axar Patel flicks it towards deep mid-wicket for a brace. Oh, it's a no ball. Free Hit coming up...

Nails a yorker, on middle, Axar Patel looks to play at it but gets an inside edge as the ball bounces towards short fine leg. A misfield there by the fielder and the batters decide to take the second run. The fielder throws it to the keeper who breaks the stumps. The replay shows that the batter was well in. 5 needed off 5 now!

Bowls it on middle, Axar Patel knocks it towards mid on for one. 7 needed off the final over now!

Stumping appeal! Lands it outside off, Axar walks forward to play at it but misses. The keeper whips off the bails. The umpire goes upstairs to have a look. The replay shows that Axar Patel was well in. Litton Das was a bit slow.

Slower one, on middle and leg, Lalit Yadav moves forward and knocks it to long on for one more.

Bowls it outside off, Axar Patel looks to slog it but gets a bottom edge as the ball rolls towards square leg. They cross.

Lands it on middle, Lalit Yadav knocks it towards long on for one again.