Kings XI Punjab warmed up for the Indian Premier League playoffs with a seven-wicket demolition of Delhi Daredevils at the PCA Stadium in Mohali.
It was their 11th victory in 14 matches and they finished the league with 22 points, way ahead of the second-placed Kolkata Knight Riders (18 points).
Punjab’s dominant display and Delhi’s capitulation was keeping with how both teams had fared in the tournament but being shot out for 115 in 18.1 overs was an unexpected low for Kevin Pietersen's side.
Pietersen’s 58 off 49 balls, his first fifty this season, was the saving grace as only three Delhi batsmen notched double figures with Dinesh Karthik (13) being the second highest scorer.
Punjab cantered to victory in just 13.5 overs, with opener Manan Vohra (47 off 38 balls) and David Miller (47 not out off 34) shrugging off two early wickets to fashion the win.
Glenn Maxwell was dismissed for his first duck in the tournament, while the returning Johnson took two wickets for 27 runs in 3.1 overs.
The victory was still achieved so comprehensively that it spoke volumes of the gulf between both sides.
It was Delhi’s 12th defeat and all-rounder Jean-Paul Duminy admitted they hd a lot of ground to cover to compete with the top teams.
“There are a lot of lessons to be learned," stated Duminy. "No doubt, it is one of our poorest seasons in terms of brand of cricket. So as much we want to forget it, I think we need to really look at ourselves in the mirror, take responsibility and see where we can improve as players and how we can represent Delhi a lot better in the coming seasons.
“Our skills needs to be improved dramatically if we want to compete in this tournament and that includes myself. We can all improve in every area of our game."
