Kolkata’s spinners wreck Delhi for massive win in IPL

Kolkata Knight Riders crushed Delhi Daredevils by 71 runs last night to take second spot on better net run-rate over three other sides in the Indian Premier League (IPL) table.

After being sent in to bat at Eden Gardens by Delhi captain Gautam Gambhir – formerly a Knight Rider – the home team posted 200-9 on the board.

Nitish Rana, who top-scored with 59, got support from Andre Russell (41), Robin Uthappa (35) and Chris Lynn (31).

In response, Delhi had just the one partnership – worth 62 runs between Glenn Maxwell (47) and Rishabh Pant (43) – as the visitors collapsed to 129.

Their destroyers-in-chief were spin duo Sunil Narine (3-18) and Kuldeep Yadav (3-32).

Mumbai Indians take on Royal Challengers Bangalore at Wankhede Stadium today, with the home team in search of their first points in IPL 2018.

Reigning champions Mumbai have lost all three of their opening games, their latest coming after a last-ball thriller against Delhi on Saturday.

Mumbai are known for being slow starters, but they will no doubt be frustrated by the close nature of all their defeats.

However, they have in their ranks a young leg-spinner called Mayank Markande.

Markande is only 20 years old and does not have any first-class experience, but the man from Patiala, Punjab, has shown great maturity with the ball, especially in the game against Chennai Super Kings.

As for Bangalore, they have a formidable batting XI – one that includes captain Virat Kohli, AB de Villiers, Quinton de Kock and Brendon McCullum.

But they are just two points ahead of Mumbai, having won once in three games. Hence, they will be as desperate to win as Mumbai.

In short, this game should be a cracker.