New Delhi: The ability to find unlikely heroes has been Delhi Daredevils’ secret to success in their revamped campaign this season, and they underlined it on Saturday with a convincing 27-run over Kolkata Knight Riders in their Indian Premier League-9 match here on Saturday.
The sizzling afternoon temperatures were symbolic of Delhi’s red-hot performance, who came back from a horrendous start — from 2/2 in 0.5 overs to 186/8 — to knock the winds off Gautam Gambhir’s men.
If young Karun Nair (68, 50 balls, 9x4, 1x6) and IPL debutant Sam Billings (54, 34, 3x4, 2x6) were the heroes with the bat, West Indies World T20 star Carlos Brathwaite followed up his 11-ball 34 with a stellar 3/47, as KKR stumbled in their pursuit of a big total. Brathwaite constantly troubled them with his line and length as KKR were shot out for 159 in 18.3 overs, handing Delhi their fourth win this season. Delhi thus climbed to the second spot in the points table behind Gujarat Lions, with eight points from six matches.
Earlier, Sam Billings (54) and Nair were brilliant with the bat as Delhi recovered from a horrendous start and managed to score 186/8.
