Mohali: In a boost to their sinking Indian Premier League campaign, the Kings XI Punjab registered a nine-run victory over Delhi Daredevils in Mohali on Saturday.
After being put into bat by the Daredevils, Marcus Stoinis put up an all-round show to clinch a much needed victory for Punjab in front of the home crowd.
There was no change in the table as the Daredevils remained third, while Punjab languished at the bottom of the table. With a challenging score on the board Delhi got off to a modest start, with Quinton de Kock scoring a quickfire 52 off 30 to give Delhi a jumpstart. Kock's fine innings was studded with six fours and two boundaries. But his innings was brought to a halt as he was caught by Axar Patel, trying to lift a Stoinis delivery.
Stoinis struck again to dismiss Sanju Samson (49 off 35) to lead to the Delhi's downfall. Stoinus led the bowling attack for the King's with a three-wicket haul.
Earlier, Wriddhiman Saha hit a scintillating half-century as Kings XI Punjab managed a formidable 181 for 5 against Daredevils.
Wriddhiman's 33-ball-52 which comprised seven boundaries was well-complemented by a 44-ball-52 from Marcus Stoinis after Zaheer Khan put the home team into bat. There were two significant partnerships in the KXIP innings. 58 for the third wicket between Stoinis and Wriddhiman while the Bengal stumper also enjoyed a quickfire 46-run stand in 4.1 overs with Glenn Maxwell (16).
For the Daredevils, Chris Morris (2/30 in 4 overs) was the most successful bowler while skipper Zaheer Khan (1/25 in 3 overs) had a decent outing. Mohammed Shami (1/34 in 3 overs) had a lean day so did the consistent leg-spinner Amit Mishra (0/37 in 4 overs). The last 6 overs produced 75 runs for the Kings XI Punjab who posted their highest team total of season-9 so far.
