IPL 2019: Super Curran, Shami spark dramatic collapse in KXIP win over Delhi Capitals

Ajit Vijaykumar 23:07 01/04/2019
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  • Sam Curran had a superb all-round game. BCCI/SPORTZPICS.

    Kings XI Punjab engineered one of the most incredible batting collapses as Delhi Capitals sunk to a 14-run defeat in their IPL clash in Mohali on Monday.

    Punjab batted first and posted a total of 166-9, which looked well below par. David Miller top scored for Punjab with 43 but in the chase, Delhi were in cruise control as Rishabh Pant (39) and Colin Ingram (38) took the total to 144-3 in the 17th over, the target easily within reach.

    But England all-rounder Sam Curran – the million dollar acquisition who went for 52 runs in his IPL debut – got the ball to reverse alongside Mohammed Shami as Delhi lost seven wickets for just eight runs, to be bowled out for 152.

    Curran picked up 4-11 off just 2.4 overs, including a hat-trick spread across two overs, while Shami (2-27) got the important scalps of Pant and Hanuma Vihari. It was a memorable day for Curran who opened the innings and hit 20 off 10 balls.

    Here, we take a closer look at the incredible match.

    Curran experiment

    Kings XI Punjab went into the match without talismanic opener Chris Gayle. Instead, they had Curran in the side. What’s more, they decided to open the innings with him.

    That left many fans, and IPL Fantasy League participants, scratching their heads. Curran did not get to bat the first two overs of the innings.

    When his chance finally came, the southpaw started off by smashing three fours in one over against pacer Avesh Khan. A six off leg-spinner Sandeep Lamichhane (2-27) raised hopes of a dynamic innings but the Nepal teen had him lbw the next ball.

    Still, a 10-ball 20 was energetic enough and in the end was a decisive contribution.

    South Africans take charge

    Chris Morris picked up three wickets. Image: BCCI/SPORTZPICS.

    Chris Morris picked up three wickets. Image: BCCI/SPORTZPICS.

    The first innings was dominated by the Proteas.

    Delhi’s innings was held together by left-handed bat Miller, who made 43 off 30 balls. He fell to all-rounder Chris Morris, who ended up with figures of 3-30, including the scalps of opener KL Rahul – lbw – and captain Ravi Ashwin – bowled.

    Pace spearhead Kagiso Rabada (2-32) was once again the pick of the bowlers, alongside Morris and Nepal wunderkind Lamichhane. Had it not been for a four and a six off the final two balls of the innings by Mandeep Singh, Rabada’s figures would have been even more impressive.

    Ashwin continues good form

    Punjab skipper Ravi Ashwin has been in good form this IPL as far as economy is concerned, going for less than six an over twice.

    On Monday, Ravi opened the bowling and struck gold first up as he got Prithvi Shaw – out for 99 in the previous game – for a golden duck.

    Then in a marvelous display of deception, Ashwin bowled the ‘carom’ ball to Shikhar Dhawan which pinned the back leg of the southpaw. The scalps of Delhi openers showed the Test veteran can turn it on in the shortest format.

    The target was not too steep at 69 needed from eight overs. Pant and Ingram added 62 for the fourth wicket and looked set to finish the game before Delhi had a brain fade.

    Shami and Curran show

    Pant went after Shami one time too many, getting his middle stump pegged back.

    Next ball, Morris went for a suicidal single and was run out by captain Ashwin from mid on. With Ingram still batting, 23 were needed from 18 balls.

    The 18th over gave Punjab genuine belief as Curran first had the well set Ingram caught at long off, before getting Harshal Patel caught behind off the final ball of the 18th over, conceding just four runs and picking up two scalps. When Shami had Test specialist Vihari bowled for two, Curran had 15 runs to defend in the final over.

    The left-arm seamer only took two balls to finish the game, sending down two perfect swinging yorkers to uproot the stumps of Rabada and Lamichhane to secure victory worthy of his million-dollar tag. He also completed a hat-trick in the process.

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