Kevin Pietersen’s miserable spell as Delhi Daredevils captain has continued after he was fined for maintaining a slow over rate in his side’s 10th Indian Premier League defeat of the season.
The competition’s governing body announced the measure, which occured during Monday’s four-wicket loss to table toppers Kings XI Punjab.
Since it was the former England international’s first offence of the season, he was docked Rs 12 lakhs (Dh75,177).
Meanwhile, batsman Jean-Paul Duminy admitted he is at a loss to explain why they are performing so poorly. The Daredevils have won only twice this season, with their last triumph coming on April 27 against Mumbai Indians.
"It is a very difficult question to answer. It has been very disappointing to have such a dismalrun this season. We have some very good players, but we haven’t fired as a group. Our batting and bowling hasn’t quite clicked simultaneously in a game, which has resulted in our downfall," said Duminy.
“[Against Kings XI], I thought we fought hard and took the game to the last over from a position where they needed only seven runs an over to win. To fight back from there was a good sign, and that’s all we ask off ourselves in the last two games.
“We cannot control the results, but we can give our best in all the remaining games.”
Despite the miserable displays around him, Duminy has managed to excel. The aggressive batsman has helped himself to a respectable 357 runs from 12 matches, with a particularly memorable performance seeing him help his side past Kolkata Knight Riders in Dubai International Stadium last month.
The South Africa international even managed to take two wickets in four measured overs against the free-hitting Kings XI, adding to his ability with the bat down the order.
“I am pretty pleased with my personal performances, but it doesn’t really mean much when you’re losing,” Duminy said. “The only way I can make things better is by improving my own performances and finding ways where I can help the team in other ways. I was pretty pleased to contribute with the ball [against Kings XI] as that’s something I haven’t been able to do in the matches gone by.”
Delhi wind up a miserable campaign with games against Mumbai on Friday and Kings XI on Sunday.
