Mujeeb denies Iyer in dramatic last-ball win for Kings XI Punjab
The 17-year-old mystery spinner defended 16 in the last over to put Kings XI Punjab on top of the points table
The 17-year-old mystery spinner defended 16 in the last over to put Kings XI Punjab on top of the points table
Scorer: Chandan Duorah | Commentator: Nikhil Kalro
11.38pm Another thrilling IPL game. Somehow, Kings XI overcome a sub-par total and a strong Daredevils start to defend their 143. JUUUST! It was not a very clever chase from Daredevils, there was a steadying gear and an aggressive gear. Nothing in between. That's where they fell behind the chase as wickets fell right through that innings. Sran wasn't excellent, but his fourth over was, putting the equation beyond Daredevils.
There were economical spells from Tye, Rajpoot, Mujeeb and Ashwin, pushing the required rate up and allowing Sran to have a bad day. But Sran fought back well too. It was a terrific defensive effort from Kings XI, as they move to the top of the table.
Presentation time.
Ankit Rajpoot is the Man of the Match: "It's my responsibility for the team. I had to get wickets. Wanted to bowl wicket to wicket, and not use too many variations."
R Ashwin: "We were more discussing of what to be bowling, rather than what to be bowling. I decided Mujeeb will be bowling the 20th over. I thought AJ (Tye) was the best bowler on the day. Coach says nothing. If we were serious about winning, this is a game we needed to win. The ball skidded on, more trying to get their wickets. They wanted to attack, which fell in our hands."
Gautam Gambhir says "when you lose three wickets in the first six overs, it's always difficult. Avesh bowled well, Shaw is a player for the future. We've got to win seven games. Our bowling was good today, but couldn't cross the line"
SS Iyer c Finch b Mujeeb Ur Rahman 57 (45b 5x4 1x6) SR: 126.66
5 off 1
11 off 3 now
Righto, righto. Another thriller in the IPL. Iyer and Delhi need 17 off 6 balls. Ashwin says Mujeeb is the man.
No helmet for Iyer. Point, third man and backward point in.
Gautam Gambhir and the Delhi Daredevils leadership group took pains to make sure the public knew the former captain was leaving of his own volition, and not being pushed out
Also: Is it time for Gambhir to drop down Daredevils' order? And Yuvraj to drop out of Kings XI's line-up all together?
Mujeeb Ur Rahman showed again he can bowl whenever needed: in the Powerplay or to defend 16 off the final over
The 17-year-old mystery spinner defended 16 in the last over to put Kings XI Punjab on top of the points table
Delhi Daredevils finally get two consecutive home games, but they face a formidable Kings XI Punjab first