Saha and Stoinis star for Punjab
Mohali, May 7: Wriddhiman Saha hit a scintillating half-century as Kings XI Punjab managed a formidable 181 for 5 against Delhi Daredevils here on Saturday.
Wriddhiman’s 33-ball52 which comprised seven boundaries was well-complemented by a 44-ball-52 from Marcus Stoinis after Zaheer Khan put the home team into bat. The Test specialist, who has had uneventful IPL since the start of the 2015 edition finally got a score of significance after 19 innings. Incidentally, it was his first 50 plus score after his century in the 2014 IPL final.
There were two significant partnerships in the KXIP innings. 58 for the third wicket between Stoinis and Wriddhiman while the Bengal stumper also enjoyed a quickfire 46-run stand in 4.1 overs with Glenn Maxwell (16).
For the Daredevils, Chris Morris (2/30 in 4 overs) was the most successful bowler while skipper Zaheer Khan (1/25 in 3 overs) had a decent outing. Mohammed Shami (1/34 in 3 overs) had a lean day so did the consistent legspinner Amit Mishra (0/37 in 4 overs).
The last 6 overs produced 75 runs for the Kings XI Punjab who posted their highest team total of season-9 so far.
Murali Vijay (25, 16 balls) started with a flurry of boundaries as he was in a mood to punish Morris, who finally got his revenge when KXIP skipper’s short arm pull was brilliantly snapped by Carlos Brathwaite standing at mid-wicket.
Hashim Amla (1) and Stoinis during their short and uneventful stay at the wicket could have got run-out on three occasions. Finally, Amla was indeed run-out as he failed to return to his crease bringing Wriddhiman in.
Wriddhiman started with a square cut off Mohammed Shami while Stoinis lofted Nadeem for a six. His second six was off a slower delivery from Brathwaite. — PTI