Delhi Daredevils beat Kings XI Punjab by 29 runs

The change of scenery at the Ferozeshah Kotla had immediate effect on the fortunes of Delhi Daredevils. As the track went from brown to green, Delhi roared back to ground the flying Kings XI Punjab by 29 runs on Saturday.

Contrary to the belief that the pacemen would hold sway on what can be called an 'anti-Kotla' track, it was the batsmen who dominated the proceeding from the moment Adam Gilchrist won the toss and put the Daredevils in to bat. 

The faster the Kings XI bowlers bowled, the farther the ball went off the flashing willows of Virender Sehwag and David Warner. In the first hour of the game, there was massacre at Kotla by the Daredevils openers. Warner (77; 48b, 7x4, 4x6) and Sehwag (77; 35b, 8x4, 4x6) feasted on a track that had enough bounce and movement to keep all the pacemen interested. 

The level of Delhi's confidence could be judged by the fact that they went in with an all-pace attack including first games for Varun Aaron and Ajit Agarkar. The opening stand of 146 was the highest so far in IPL 4, overhauling 136 put on by Kings XI's Gilchrist and Paul Valthaty, and set the platform for the total of 231/4. It was the first 200-plus total this year and the third-highest IPL total ever. 

Every Delhi batsmen enjoyed the extra pace coming on to the bat and were aided by the wayward Kings XI fast bowlers. Venugopal Rao (28 not out, 15b, 3x4, 1x6) and Naman Ojha (19 not out, 8b, 1x4, 2x6) provided the finishing touches to the fantastic opening charge. 

Kings XI attempted to return the favour with two Australian southpaws in Adam Gilchrist (42; 33b, 8x4, 1x6) and Shaun Marsh (95; 46b, 9x4, 6x6). The duo's 72-run stand for the second wickets kept the visitors interested in the match but Aaron picked up his first IPL scalp by crashing through Gilly's defence with a 142-kph delivery. 

Marsh got to within five runs of a second IPL century but skied Morne Morkel with the side still needing 48 to win off 14 balls. David Hussey, playing his first match this season, scored a 10-ball 20 (2x6) but the target was too steep for Kings XI to overhaul as they ended up at 202/6. This season's sensation Paul Valthaty (14; 10b, 2x6) smashed a couple of sixes but his luck ran out as he top-edged Irfan Pathan to point. 

The Delhi bowlers, much like their counterparts, got carried away at the sight of the green track. All the bowlers took a pounding again but the cushion of a massive total got Delhi past the finishing line.