Rajkot: A 115-run partnership between youngster Rishabh Pant and Quinton de Kock saw Delhi Daredevils tame leaders Gujarat Lions in their own den by eight wickets to leapfrog on to the second spot in the Indian Premier League, at the Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium on Tuesday.
After just seven matches, the double Ds are tied on 10 points with defending champions Mumbai Indians and Kolkata Knight Riders, who have played eight and nine matches, respectively.
Chasing a modest total of 150 for win, India Under-19 player Rishab Pant gave enough evidence of his talent displaying some precision timing from his blade and provided Delhi with a brisk start.
De Kock, since his blazing 108 off just 51 balls in their second match against RCB, has been pretty ordinary. However, with no scoreboard pressure, he too regained his touch and went on to score 45-ball 46.
Rishab went on to score an impressive 69 off 40 balls with the help of nine boundaries and two sixes. By the time Gujarat saw the back of both openers, the Delhi was already in line for the victory. Sanju Samson (19 not out) and J.P. Duminy (13 not out) saw Delhi home in 17.2 overs.
New entrant, Gujarat Lions’ tremendous success in the tournament so far has been mainly due to the starts provided by Dwayne Smith and Brendon McCullum.
However, on Tuesday, both openers were in and out quickly.
Delhi skipper Zaheer Khan provided the early breakthrough after the aggressive New Zealander missed a pull and saw the ball crash on to the top off the stumps. Then left-arm spinner Shahbaz Nadeem hogged limelight by taking the wickets of Smith and Aaron Finch, coming in place of Dwayne Bravo, in his first over to leave Gujarat reeling at 24 for 3.
The onus was now on skipper Suresh Raina and T20 specialist Dinesh Karthik to stem the rot and take the team to respectability.
Raina went on to make a quick-fire 24 off 20 deliveries before being stumped by de Kock off Amit Mishra. Karthik hung around and went on to score a 43-ball 53 and was also involved in a partnership of 52 with Ravindra Jadeja. Though Jadeja remained unbeaten till the end with a 26-ball 36, Gujarat couldn’t get the required momentum and only sailed to 149 for 7 in 20 overs. For Delhi, along with Nadeem (2 for 23), Mishra, Khan and Mohammed Shami bowled extremely well and were rewarded with a wicket apiece.
Brief Scores: Delhi Daredevils beat Gujarat Lions by eight wickets. Gujarat Lions 149 for 7 in 20 overs. (Dinesh Karthik 53 off 43 balls, Ravindra Jadeja 36 off 26 balls, Suresh Raina 24 off 20, Shahbaz Nadeem 2 for 23, Amit Mishra 1 for 19, Zaheer Khan 1 for 27) Delhi Daredevils (Rishabh Pant 69 off 40 balls, Quinton de Kock 46 off 45 balls).
