Knight Riders have Daredevils in spin during thrashing

Nitish Rana hit an aggressive 59 and Andre Russell smashed 41 off 12 balls as the Kolkata Knight Riders thrashed the Delhi Daredevils by 71 runs in the Indian Premier League.

Thanks to Rana and Kolkata posted 200-8.

Delhi lost wickets in clusters and were bowled out for 129 in 14.2 overs. Spinners Sunil Narine (3-18) and Russell, Kuldeep Yadav (3-32) finished off the rout.

“The wrist spinners are picked in the IPL for a purpose. They’re doing a good job for us,” Kolkata captain Dinesh Karthik said.

Kolkata earned their second win, while Delhi suffered their third loss in four games.

After losing the toss and being put in to bat, Kolkata were given a platform by Robin Uthappa (35) and Chris Lynn (31) at the top of the order.

Delhi seemed to be in control at 117-4 after Kolkata lost Karthik on 19 in the 14th over. Then Russell was dropped on seven by Jason Roy and Russell took full advantage. He smashed six sixes off Mohammad Shami’s two overs that cost the seamer 42 runs, and Rana completed his half-century off 30 balls.

Trent Boult, who bowled a firstover maiden to Lynn, returned and clean bowled Russell with a yorker.

Rana holed out to Gautam Gambhir when he was deceived by Chris Morris’ slower delivery. Rana’s 59 off 35 deliveries included five fours and four sixes.

Delhi legspinner Rahul Tewatia took 3-18, all in the last over. Delhi’s chase stuttered at 24-3. Glenn Maxwell (47) and Rishabh Pant (43) gave Delhi a glimmer of hope with a 62-run fourth wicket stand off 33 balls. But Kolkata came back hard and Delhi lost their last seven wickets for 43 runs in 5.5 overs.

— AP