Hindustan Times (Chandigarh)

Pandey, Pathan help KKR steal win

The duo shares a 110run partnershi­p for fourth wicket to rally Knight Riders after Rishabh Pant’s clobbering of Umesh pegs them back

- Siddhartha Sharma

NEWDELHI: Manish Pandey struck his second, unbeaten half-century of Indian Premier League (IPL) 10 to power Kolkata Knight Riders to a thrilling four-wicket victory with a ball to spare against Delhi Daredevils at the Ferozeshah Kotla on Monday.

Kolkata Knight Riders, the table toppers, were left needing eight runs off the final three deliveries and Manish Pandey struck a six and two off leg-spinner Amit Mishra to seal the team’s fourth victory in five matches. KKR finished on 169 for six chasing Delhi Daredevils’ 168/7.

Australian pacer Nathan Coulter-Nile grabbed 3 for 23, but KKR were struggling in their run chase. However, a 110-run fourth-wicket stand between Manish Pandey (69no – 47 balls) and Yousuf Pathan (59 – 36 balls) steadily took the game away from Delhi Daredevils.

PANDEY STAYS CALM Still, Pandey held his nerves in the end and came up with a flat six over long on off Amit Mishra that sealed the game for KKR.

Rishabh Pant’s 16-ball 38 at the fag end had helped Delhi Daredevils post a challengin­g total. But Coulter-Nile’s blows broke three important partnesrsh­ips to restrict the hosts.

Yousuf Pathan was checked with a quick bouncer by Pat Cummins, but managed to get a top edge which went for a boundary.

There was no looking back for Pathan after that.

The all-rounder picked the right deliveries and used his long handle to dispatch lofted shots to the boundary. It never looked like he was playing rashly as he built the innings with a set partner.

SMART SHOTS

Pandey was the more stylish of the two. He played the ball really late and was convincing while playing the big shots. Later in the innings, he guided Chris Morris through the thirdman region for fours when the fielder was in the circle.

Delhi Daredevils were done in to an extent by Coulter-Nile, who was in their camp last season. Coulter-Nile conceded 10 runs in his first over, but he was meas-

ured in his approach. He used the short ball cleverly and bowled much fuller and in the block hole.

Even when Rishabh Pant slammed him for a six over long leg in the 18th over, the Aussie pacer bowled fuller and got the reward, having Pant caught at point.

Coulter-Nile had played four games for Delhi last season and had picked three wickets. Though he didn’t play at the Kotla, he was effective against Sunrisers Hyderabad and picked a couple of wickets.

 ?? PTI ?? Manish Pandey hit an unbeaten 69 to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat on Monday night.
PTI Manish Pandey hit an unbeaten 69 to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat on Monday night.

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