Delhi Capitals vs Kolkata Knight Riders, Match 16 Match Summary

So, that is it from the first double-header of this edition! The afternoon game was a one-sided affair but the evening one was a slobber knocker of a game. Action continues on Sunday and guess what? We have two games lined up again. First it is Mumbai taking on Hyderabad followed by Chennai facing Punjab. Do join us for all the action. Till then, take care and goodbye!

Shreyas Iyer, the Delhi skipper, is named Player of the Match. He starts by saying that it is really difficult to defend on this ground. Adds that he is surprised to know that in the last 3 games, over 1,000 runs have been scored on this ground. Tells that he always wanted to take some time before going after the bowlers. Adds he just wanted to hit one ball at a time. Tells that he isn't a gifted player but he puts in a lot of effort. Says that he is really happy that all the players stepped up and did their job well. Tells that he was a bit worried when Mishra got injured. Mentions that he was really confident towards the end and knew they will defend it. But adds that T20 is a funny game and anything can happen. Ends up saying that they have got a good platform now and they just need to get better game after game.

Anrich Nortje is caught for a quick chat! Says that they wanted to just use the conditions well. Feels it got a bit tough towards the end but is happy that they have ended on the right side. Tells that he is really enjoying bowling with Rabada. Ends by saying that they have been working hard on bowling the yorkers and the slower ones as well.

Dinesh Karthik, the Kolkata skipper, says that he is proud of the way the batters gave it a try. Feels they lost a couple of quick wickets at the start and that pushed them back. Says that a couple of more hits and they would've won the game. Adds that he can't really blame the bowlers as this was a tough wicket for them to bowl. On Russell coming up the order, Karthik says that they wanted to give him enough time to make an impact but that didn't happen here. On Narine opening the batting, the Kolkata skipper says that he is a very dangerous batsman once he gets going but adds that they might discuss the same with the coaching staff.

Earlier in the day, after being inserted, Delhi scored a mammoth 228 courtesy a breeezy knock from Shaw at the start and a brilliant one from Iyer towards the end. Delhi were well in control of the game before Morgan and Tripathi joined association but an outstanding stand between the two did change the tide towards Kolkata. It was Delhi who held their nerve though and came out on top. Stay tuned for the presentation.

Not a lot you can write about the bowlers again! This ground is actually a graveyard for them. There still were three bowlers who were outstanding. Amit Mishra, Nortje and Patel who had figures to look back at. Also, Patel and Nortje picked crucial wickets at crucial time and they could really be proud about how they fared.

Earlier on in the innings, Kolkata were going about their chase quite nicely. Rana and Gill both put up a good stand to give the hitters coming in a decent foundation. However, three wickets in quick succession put Kolkata on the back foot completely. With around 90 needed in the last 5 overs, they needed something special and both Morgan and Tripathi did deliver. They were striking at will and had got Iyer very worried. It though was a matter of just the one good over and Delhi got it in the form of the 19th over. Kolkata probably got their batting order wrong. They should have got in Karthik and Morgan above Russell and the result probably could have been different. That though was not to be but they could still be proud of the fight they showed after being down and out.

What a game! A run-fest, exactly what we expected in Sharjah. In the end, there has to be just the one winner and it is Delhi who have come out on top but trust me, they would have had their heart in their mouth when Morgan and Tripathi were out there. The two added 78 in no time and at one point, they were slight favorites when they needed 31 in the last 2 but a tremendous over from Nortje where he got Morgan and just gave away 5 runs won the game for Delhi. Yes, it is Stoinis who defended 26 in the final over but it is the Nortje's over which actually won them the game.

Only a run, in the form of an extra. Another attemped yorker, it is gone wrong as it is a low full toss on the pads, Mavi fails to flick and is hit on the pad. It rolls towards fine leg for a leg bye. DELHI WIN BY 18 RUNS!

Superb bowling! Follows the batsman down the leg side. Mavi tries to make room and hit it but misses.

Just a single again. Nails the full ball again, it is drilled to long on for a single.

Banged short and on middle, Mavi pulls it powerfully towards deep square leg. Dhawan there makes a diving save. Only a run.

Shivam Mavi is the new man in.

OUT! TIMBER! That is a terrific response from Stoinis. A superb yorker from him. Tripathi fails to get bat on ball and the stumps behind gets destroyed. A terrific innings from him though. Coming so low down the order and then giving his side a chance.

FOUR! What a way to begin the over! A full toss outside off, Tripathi slices it over point and gets a boundary.

Who will bowl the final over? Marcus Stoinis is the man who has been given the responsibility.

DOT! Tripathi denies the single. A fuller ball around off, Nagarkoti drills it towards deep mid-wicket. Rahul says no for the single. 26 needed in 6 balls.

A couple now! Poor from Ashwin. Short and wide outside off, Nagarkoti pushes it towards backward point. Ashwin doesn't get down in time and allows the ball to go away. Two taken.

Only a run. It is another full toss on middle, Tripathi lifts it over mid-wicket for a single.

Who is the new man in? Kamlesh Nagarkoti it is. Tripathi will be on strike.

OUT! CAUGHT! Morgan picks out the fielder to perfection. A short ball just outside off, Morgan goes for the pull but this time he doesn't time it well. He ends up giving a simple catch to Hetmyer at deep square leg. 29 needed in 9 balls.

Just a single again. Full and outside off, Tripathi drives it to deep cover for a single.

Full toss on middle, lofted over the bowler's head for a single.

FOUR! Drilled down the ground. 23 from the over. Another attempted yorker from Rabada goes wrong. Full and on middle, Tripathi slams it down the ground and fetches a boundary. 31 needed in 12 balls.

NOT OUT! Tripathi survives. A bouncer on middle and leg, Rahul looks to pull but misses. The ball goes behind and Pant takes the catch. They appeal and the finger is raised. Tripathi calls for the review. Replays roll in and it shows that it has come off the helmet.

Review for caught behind! Tripathi has been given out but he takes it upstairs quickly. Let's see what the replays show.

Nails the yorker this time. Morgan does well to dig it out towards long off for a single.

SIX! Three in a row! WOW! Morgan, where were you all this while? Rabada goes for the yorker again but misses again. A high full toss. What does Morgan does? He thumps it over deep square leg once again for half a dozen. 18 from the first 3 balls.

Six! Another one! Game on! A length ball from Rabada. A slower one too. It is in the hitting zone of Morgan. Morgan nails the slog once again and clears the fence at deep mid-wicket this time. Crazy hitting!

SIX! Where's that going? It is on the roof! What a start to the over. Short ball angled in, Morgan moves inside and powers it way over deep square leg. A massive six.