Today there were two matches played in contrasting fashion. In the first match facing severe criticism, Captain Gambhir led from front getting his team the much needed victory taking them to 4th position, while in other match the Captain of CSK, Dhoni was left in shock by seeing the massacre by Maxwell, Miller and Bailey and accepted defeat just by seeing the target of 232 runs on board. In the contest of top position, Kings XI emerged front runner again having played a match less than CSK.
IPL 2014 Match Schedule and Results
KKR Trounce DD by 8 wickets
The first match of the day saw Delhi Daredevils electing to bat and scoring 160/5 with major contribution from Karthik (22-ball 36 runs, Duminy (28-ball 40* runs) and Kedar Jadhav (15-ball 26* runs). Jadhav played his fourth consecutive unbeaten innings. Pietersen committed suicide by running himself out, and Vijay again played a slow innings of 20-ball 24 runs.
For KKR Shakib with 1/13 was the best bowler while Umesh Yadav sealed his spot for next match with 1/26. But Narine and Kallis (1/38 each) were taken to cleaners. Vinay Kumar (0/31 in 3 overs) was again expensive.
Chasing a decent total at Delhi, the local lad but KKRs captain Gambhir continued his return to good form as he and Uthappa added century partnership for opening wicket for the 2nd consecutive match. By the time in 12th over Uthappa (34-ball 47 runs) was out they needed only 55 runs in 9 overs. Gambhir (56-ball 69 runs) took them to just 10 runs distance from win when he was out. Manish Pandey (14-ball 23 runs) and Kallis (6-balll 10 runs) completed the formalities as they won with 10 balls remaining.
For DD, Shami (0/23) and Parnell (2/21) were finally impressive. But Nadeem (0/34 in 3.2), Duminy (0/24 in 2), Laxmi Ratan Shukla (0/19 in 2) and S Kaul (0/29 in 3) were too expensive for their not so high score.
Gambhir received the Player of Match award for the first time in this edition.
KXIP Trounce CSK by 44 runs
Being sent to bat, Kings XI played in two different phase of batting. In first 10 overs they scored only 69 runs losing Sehwag (23-ball 30 runs) and Mandeep Singh (3 runs) who replaced Pujara. Bothreturned by 5.2 overs. Maxwell and Miller played calmly for next 4.4 overs as they added 31 runs. After that in 6 overs they added 104 runs when Miller (32-ball 47 runs with 5 4s 2 6s) was bowled by Dwayne Smith. By the time in 17.2 overs when Maxwell (38 balls 90 runs with 8 6s and 6 4s) was again out in 90s, they had reached 184/4. With 2.4 overs remaining in their innings, Captain Bailey (13-ball 40 runs with 6 4s 2 6s) and Johnson (6-ball 11 runs) added another 49 runs to take them 231/4, the joint 5th highest total of IPL and 2nd highest of Kings XI in IPL.
The bowling statistics of CSK bowlers looked like of battered soldiers. Ashwin could bowl only 2 overs as he was hit for 38 runs. Jadeja gave 37 runs in 3 overs, Ishwar Pandey had 0/41 in 4 overs. Dwayne Smith had 1/36 in 3 overs. Mohit Sharma (2/38) and Hilfenhaus (1/36) were their best bowlers of the day.
In response, they started with the intent. But Sandeep Sharma continued his successful sting, and sent Smith (4 runs) back. Raina and McCullum added some stability but Raina (27-ball 35 runs) became victim of Maxwell. Jadeja was promoted but he could add only 8-ball 17 runs. In between Brendum McCullum (29-ball 33 runs) was run out by brilliant direct throw from Johnson. Score read 98/4 in 12 overs. Dhoni arrived to join Plessis as they needed 134 runs in 8 overs. But Dhoni never showed the intent as he scored 20-ball 23 runs with singles and a six of Johnson. Plessis (25-ball 52 runs) tried, even Manhas (3-ball 8 runs, and Ashwin (4-ball 11 runs tried to minimize the deficit in defeat, but Dhoni’s approach was surprising, and Kings XI had an easy 44 runs victory.
Akshar Patel (0/28) was the best bowler of the match. Sandeep Sharma ((1/37), Johnson (2/37), Kartik (0/40), Maxwell (1/21 in 2) and Rishi Dhawan (1/23 in 2) gave some respect to CSKs total.
Maxwell was the Player of the Match for the fourth time in the season, and second consecutive time against CSK.
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