Toss: Punjab, chose to field
Delhi: Pietersen 58; Awana 2-15, Karanveer 2-22
Punjab: Vohra 47, Miller 47; Unadkat 1-3
In the end, the Delhi Daredevils couldn't even stop their horror Indian Premier League season with the consolation of a win against the table-topping Kings XI Punjab.
Their meek surrender and Punjab’s emphatic seven-wicket win on Sunday was in keeping with how both sides fared in the tournament, but capitulating for just 115 all out in 18.1 overs was an unexpected low, even for Delhi.
Punjab cantered to victory in just 13.5 overs at the PCA Stadium in Mohali, with Manan Vohra (47 off 38) and David Miller (47 not out off 34) shrugging off two early wickets to fashion the win.
They batted only 60 balls for their 96-run stand, both men making best use of a pressure-free chase. Vohra's gift of timing and Miller's effortless ability to dispatch bowlers were both on display, and though Vohra would have been disappointed to fall with victory just four runs away, his wicket to Imran Tahir wasn't going to impact the direction in which the match was headed.
Artificial drama was added when a steady rain made the ground staff bring the covers on when Vohra fell, but better sense prevailed and Punjab were allowed to resume at 112 for 3 without the covers being spread out.
Only three more balls were needed to settle the issue, Miller swinging Tahir over midwicket. The result of the match was a foregone conclusion once Punjab’s bowlers, helped generously by an inept Delhi batting display, made it almost one-way traffic in the first innings.
Saurabh Somani is sub editor at Wisden India. Visit www.wisdenindia.com for more on the IPL or follow them on Twitter @WisdenIndia.
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