No end to Delhi's misery

A misfiring Delhi Daredevils were once again left red faced in this season's Indian Premier League after losing a close contest to Chris Gayle-less Kings XI Punjab by just four runs here on Monday.

Gayle did not play this match, owing to a sore back. At the innings break his absence seemed to be a decisive blow for Punjab, but thanks to Delhi's poor batting display, the visitors didn't miss the big-hitting West Indian much.

After Liam Plunkett sizzled in his debut with 3/17, paving the way for the batsmen to chase a relatively smaller target of 144. But, the home side lost too many early wickets as the five changes made by the team management did not yield much of a response in their maiden home game of the season at the Feroz Shah Kotla stadium.

As a result, Delhi remained at the bottom of the table with just two points from six matches, while Punjab leapfrogged Chennai Super Kings to top the table with 10 points from six games.

Chasing the modest total, Delhi began on a positive note. New comer Prithvi Shaw looked to be in good touch. He struck three delightful boundaries off Barinder Sran in the very second over.

However, the youngster's stay at the crease did not last for long.

In the third over, Ankit Rajpoot drew the first blood. He clean bowled Shaw with a beauty. The hosts were 25/1 in 2.3 overs.

Glenn Maxwell (12 off 10 balls) seemed to be in a hurry, as usual, and that didn't work this time as he mistimed a pull shot off Rajpoot, which was safely held by Tye.

In the very next over, Tye brought an end to skipper Gautam Gambhir's misery in the middle. After a troubled innings, Gambhir got a leading edge, which was easily taken by Aaron Finch in the mid-off. He managed just four from 13 balls. Delhi were reeling at 42/3 in 5.3 overs.

But, the biggest blow came in the first ball of the 9th over.

Mujeeb Ur Rahman clean bowled the in-form Rishabh Pant. Pant went for four as Delhi were 61/4.

Immediately later, Shreyas Iyer hit the ball in the mid-wicket region, he tried to take a double. But, Mayank Agarwal's throw from the deep was spot on as their skipper Ravichandran Ashwin did the rest, taking off the bails to send Dan Christian packing for 6 off 11 balls. Delhi were in all kind of trouble at 76/5 in 12 overs.

Iyer and Rahul Tewatia started to build a crucial partnership.

Notably in the 17th over, Tewatia struck a six and a four off Sran.

In the last ball of the 18th over though, Tye struck again. All Tewatia (24 off 21 balls) managed was an edge which was easily taken by KL Rahul.

New batsman Plunkett tried to up the ante, only to hit the ball straight down Karun Nair's throat in deep square-leg.

With 17 runs required off last over, Iyer struck a six off the second ball after a dot in the first delivery. He then ran a two and hit a four as Delhi needed five off the last ball.

But, he couldn't clear the ropes as Miller took a good catch in the deep to help Punjab win a low-scoring thriller.

Rajpoot, Tye and Rahman picked two wickets each for Punjab.

Earlier, it was all about Plunkett's debut. Boult was equally impressive with 2/21, while new boy Avesh Khan picked up two wickets for 36 runs.

After Delhi won the toss and asked Punjab to bat, the visitors struggled to build any meaningful partnerships.

Avesh Khan, one of the five changes from the last match, struck in the very second over. Aaron Finch's terrible run in this season continued. Finch (two off four balls) mistimed a big hit, handing over a comfortable catch to Iyer in the short covers.

New batsmen Mayank Agarwal seemed to be in fine nick and he was ably supported by the in-form KL Rahul.

Just when things looked to be going good, Delhi struck.

Plunkett delivered the fatal blow in his very first over. Rahul tried to scoop one over the inner circle, but ended up mistiming the short. Avesh at short fine-leg took a brilliant low diving catch. 

Plunkett struck again in his second over. Agarwal found the England pacer's 146 kph delivery too hot to handle. The ball hit his pads and clipped the stumps. Agarwal went for 21 off 16 balls. Punjab were reeling at 60/3 in 7.3 overs.

New batsman Yuvraj Singh and Karun Nair took their time in the middle to stabilise their innings. Yuvraj (14 off 17 balls), however, could not capitalise on his stay in the middle as he yet again went out cheaply. He got a nick, which was safely taken by keeper Rishabh Pant. Avesh struck again as the visitors were struggling at 85/4 in 12.4 overs.

Next up was David Miller. He was twice dropped in as many overs by Delhi.

First, Glen Maxwell dropped him, then in the subsequent over, Prithvi Shaw put down a sitter as skipper Gautam Gambhir left a frustrating figure.

He made Delhi pay for it, striking a massive six off Mishra in the same over.

Plunkett, yet again got the decisive breakthrough, dismissing the settled Nair. Iyer took a brilliant running catch at long-on as Karun walked back with 34 off 32 balls.

Plunkett was once again involved in another crucial dismissal. This time tough, the Englishman took the catch in deep covers off Dan Christian's bowling. Miller went for 26 from 19 balls as Punjab were 127/6 in 17.3 overs.

Trent Boult took the wickets of Tewatia and Tye in the final over as Punjab ended their innings for 143/8.