Seventh straight defeat for Daredevils

The Kings XI Punjab climbed to the top of the eight-team standings and the Delhi Daredevils sunk to a seventh successive defeat in Monday's key Indian Premier League fixture at the Feroz Shah Kotla.

The Kings XI Punjab climbed to the top of the eight-team standings and the Delhi Daredevils sunk to a seventh successive defeat in Monday's key Indian Premier League fixture at the Feroz Shah Kotla.

The Daredevils' solid total of 164 for seven was led by captain Kevin Pietersen's commanding 49 and wicketkeeper-batsman Dinesh Karthik's quickfire 69. South African seamer Beuran Hendricks and the homegrown Sandeep Sharma, meanwhile, secured three pivotal wickets each.

The Kings XI Punjab's successful pursuit, which concluded with two deliveries to spare, was outstanding in the absence of meaningful contributions from all-rounder Glenn Maxwell and the hard-hitting David Miller.

Maxwell and Miller had been at the fore of multiple victories earlier in the lucrative Twenty20 tournament, but failed in Delhi. The franchise's formidable bench strength, promptly succeeded instead.

Talented opener Manan Vohra orchestrated a cavalier 42 from a mere 19 deliveries, while Man of the Match Akshar Patel weighed in with 42 not out from 35. Where the one drove, the other hooked. As the one swept, the other glanced. Shot selection, indeed, was outstanding throughout.

The Daredevils' spinners – South African pair Imran Tahir and JP Duminy – share five important wickets. Little to no support, though, proved the host attack's downfall. Fellow Proteas cricketer Wayne Parnell proved entirely expensive.

Tuesday's IPL fixtures will see the Sunrisers Hyderabad and Royal Challengers Bangalore clash at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Uppal – and the Kolkata Knight Riders host Chennai Super Kings at Eden Gardens.