CLT20: Delhi thrash Kolkata by 52 runs

Centurion: Delhi Daredevils produced a superb bowling show as they crushed Kolkata Knight riders by 52 runs in their opening Champions League Twenty20 match here on Saturday.

Sent into bat, Daredevils posted a competitive 160 for 8 and then restricted KKR to 108 for 7 on a Centurion pitch which assisted pace bowling though it had uneven bounce at times. Pacers Umesh Yadav (2 for 13), Irfan Pathan (2 for 20), Morne Morkel (2 for 25) and Ajit Agarkar (1 for 21) shared the seven wickets among them to inflict a crushing defeat on KKR in the Group A match.

KKR, the reigning IPL champions, made a mess of their run chase with three wickets falling in seven balls. To make matters worse for them, Jacques Kallis retired hurt without scoring in the 10th ball after being hit on his fingers by a Morne Morkel rising delivery.

In pursuit of 161 against Delhi Daredevils, IPL champions Kolkata Knight Riders could only go as far as 108 for 7.

Kallis' fingers were seen bleeding on the impact of the delivery and he had to leave the field in pain when his side's score was just four. Manoj Tiwary top-scored with a 38-ball 33 which included two fours and a six while Rajat Bhatia was the second highest scorer with 26.

Pathan, who opened bowling, rocked the KKR innings with his inswinging deliveries as he took two wickets in the first over itself. KKR captain Gautam Gambhir continued his poor form as he was the first one to go for a golden duck in the third ball of the innings. He holed out to Pietersen at mid-on failing to negotiate an inswinging delivery.

Three balls later, Pathan had Bisla (1) for his second wicket. Bisla missed another inswinging delivery and was plumbed in front of wicket. KKR were reeling at 3 for 2 wickets and matters became worse with Brendon McCullum departing in the first ball of Morkel with Chand holding a catch at point.

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