IPL 2018: New Captain Does Wonders For Daredevils

The Delhi Daredevils camp would’ve been nervous ahead of their game against Kolkata Knight Riders last night, as they had quite a few changes made in the build up to this game. Firstly, Gautam Gambhir announced his decision of stepping down as captain, and the management selected young Shreyas Iyer to lead the side. Secondly, they dropped Gambhir from the side, who has always been such a reliable opener in the IPL.

Kolkata won the toss and fielded first yesterday, and they would have not been too proud about this decision. Shreyas Iyer and the young Prithvi Shaw were finding the gaps with ease and setting up Delhi for a big score. The 18-year old Shaw became the youngest player to get an IPL fifty, was dismissed for 62 but Iyer went on.

Iyer became the 4th youngest captain in IPL history and boy, did he do well. A captain’s knock which began slowly, soon turned into every bowler’s nightmare. He finished with 93(40)* and his innings included 10 massive sixes, including 4 sixes in the final over against Shivam Mavi. That over of 29 runs became the most expensive of IPL 2018.

After they racked up 219/4 in 20 overs, KKR would need a record effort to complete a win but they cracked under pressure early on, losing vital wickets. 46/4 in the 6th over and most Kolkata fans would’ve started turning off their TV sets. Andre Russell’s 44(30) was the only highlight of that pathetic effort from KKR, who finished 164/9.

KKR beat Delhi by 71 runs the last time these two sides met and it was sweet revenge for DD, winning by 55 runs and getting another two points. They can only afford one more loss in the rest of the season and they would love to stitch up a string of wins soon. Man of the Match: Shreyas Iyer