New Delhi: Leg-spinner Amit Mishra clinched four wickets for just 11 runs as Delhi Daredevils restricted Kings XI Punjab to 111 for nine wickets in 20 overs in an Indian Premier League (IPL) contest at the Ferozeshah Kotla on Friday.
After Delhi won the toss and opted to field, Mishra, coming in to bowl in the seventh over, rocked Punjab's boat. When he started his spell, they were 37 for one in six overs, and at the end of his three-over haul, the visiting side's total reached 59 for five in 11 overs. His victims included Shaun Marsh (13), David Miller (9), Glenn Maxwell (0) and Manan Vohra (32).
Punjab batsmen showed lack of intent and discipline and fell one after another. Opening batsman Vohra was the only one who showed the will for a fight.
Punjab failed to gather any sort of momentum right from the start. In the second over bowled by left-arm spinner Pawan Negi, Zaheer Khan dropped Vohra's catch at the point and as the ball neared towards the boundary, the openers decided to take three runs.
But Vijay was found to be short of the crease as the relay throw between Zaheer and Karun Nair reached wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock in time for the stumps to be dislodged, leaving the team at eight for one in 1.3 overs.
Even though Zaheer seemed to be lethargic while dropping the catch, the veteran left-arm seamer maintained a tight line and length. The captain conceded only 14 runs in his four overs, taking a wicket.
After the powerplay overs, which yielded 37 runs, Zaheer brought in Mishra and the leg-spiner struck in his first delivery. Left-handed batsman Marsh danced down the track, only to miss the line before being stumped by de Kock.
Mishra dealt a double blow in his second over, removing skipper Miller (9) and Maxwell (0). While left-hander Miller was trapped in front of the wickets in the first ball of the ninth over, Maxwell was holed out by Carlos Brathwaite at long-off.
With the wickets of its batting mainstays falling, Punjab were 54 for four, with Delhi being in full control of the proceedings.
Mishra's next victim was right-hander Vohra, who moved back at the crease while fending off a sharp googly.
Following this, the tail-enders tried their best but the damage was already done. Spinner Jayant Yadav and fast bowler Chris Morris chipped in with a wicket each.
Brief scores: Kings XI Punjab: 111/9 (Manan Vohra 32; Amit Mishra 4/11, Zaheer Khan 1/14) vs Delhi Daredevils.
