Delhi Daredevils batted soberly in the first innings to post a decent total on the Mohali track. Punjab bowlers, spinners to be specific kept the scoring rate of Delhi under a tight leash. Huffing and puffing, DD managed to set the target of 167 runs against Punjab and although it was 15 runs below par, it was a fighting total, nevertheless.

All Daredevils bowlers needed to make this total tough for KXIP was to take early wickets and add the scoreboard pressure. KL Rahul came out and sent those plans outside the boundary ropes. The assault was so breathtaking that within the first twenty minutes the target narrowed down to almost run-a-ball.

Opening the batting, KL Rahul started wonderfully in Trent Boult’s over. In the first over itself, KXIP raced to 16/0 in first six balls. Mohammad Shami in the next over faced the similar treatment as Rahul carted him for another six and four. At the end of the second over, KXIP stood at 28/0.

Captain Gautam Gambhir brought his most experienced bowler in to bowl. The over had to be decisive. It was either going to kill the momentum or was going to destroy Delhi’s winning hopes. The over description read –

Four, Six, Six, Four, Four, Zero!

Rahul literally murdered Amit Mishra and collected 24 runs from the over. In the process, he reached his fifty in only 14 balls, making it the fastest IPL fifty ever! The whirlwind knock brought the required run-rate from 7.72 to 6.76, this decrement at that stage is mammoth.

The over changed the complexion of the game and despite the struggles that other Punjabi batsmen faced the lowered required run-rate meant an easy ride towards the victory. KL Rahul got out with 51 off 16 balls and KXIP won with 6 wickets in the hand.