Stoinishing show
Marcus’ all- round feat ensures Super Over win for Delhi
Dubai, Aug. 20: Marcus Stoinis’ last over star turns with both bat and ball was beautifully complemented by Kagiso Rabada’s briliant Super Over that ensured a thrilling opening round IPL victory for Delhi Capitals over Kings XI Punjab on Sunday.
Stoinis first blasted his way to a 21- ball- 53 as his late assault ensured a decent 157/ 8 for Capitals with 57 coming off last three overs. Stoinis hit seven fours and three sixes.
In reply, Capitals were in control for 15 overs before Mayank Agarwal 89 off 60 balls nearly won it for KXIP before Stoinis came into the picture again with opposition needing one off three balls.
The first one was a dot followed by wickets of Agarwal and Chris Jordan as match ended in a tie and went into Super Over.
Rabada, a Super Over specialist then removed K. L. Rahul and Nicholas Pooran off successive balls to keep an easy three run target off one over. Rishabh Pant got a couple and Mohammed Shami bowled a wide as Capitals got their hard earned two points.
Earlier, Shikhar Dhawan ( 0) was run out to a horrible mix- up and the scoreboard was not a pleasant sight for the Delhi side at 13 for 3.
However skipper Shreyas Iyer ( 39) and Rishabh Pant ( 31) respected the conditions to raise 73- run stand for the fourth wicket while Stoinis’ knock towards the end put Capitals in a psychologically advantageous position.
Iyer launched into Gowtham for a massive six, first of the innings, in the ninth over, taking the run- rate to a modest fiveanover.