HYDERABAD: Delhi Daredevils ended their two-match losing streak when they defeated IPL table-toppers Sunrisers Hyderabad by a clinical margin of seven wickets here on Thursday night.

After restricting the hosts to a modest 146-8, Delhi knocked off the required runs in 18.1 overs at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium to climb to third place in the standings.

Delhi began poorly before clawing their way back into the contest. They put the Hyderabad in after winning the toss, but to their dismay skipper David Warner and Shikhar Dhawan reached 51-0 the end of powerplay.

Off-spinner Jayant Yadav provided the breakthrough with the total on 67 when he beat Warner (46 off 30 fours, six fours and one six) in the air to castle the Australian after the left-hander had brought up his 3000th IPL run on six.

Dhawan (34 from 37 balls) perished in the 13th over when he was outwitted by Amit Mishra. From 98-2, Hyderabad batting fell away thereafter with just Kane Williamson (27) playing a meaningful knock.

Nathan Coulter-Nile and Amit Mishra picked up two wickets each. Chris Morris was exceptional once again, conceding just 19 runs in his four overs to win the man-of-the-match prize.

In reply, Quinton de Kock batted aggressively to smash a 31-ball 44 (five fours and two sixes) with support from Karun Nair (20), Sanju Samson and Rishabh Pant.

Eighteen-year old Pant muscled his way to 26-ball 39 studded with two fours and three sixes, while Samson helped himself to 34 from 26, featuring two sixes – including the winning hit. Their 72-run partnership, coming off just 52 balls, helped Delhi get over the line with 11 balls to spare.

Summarised scores:

SUNRISERS HYDERABAD 146-8 in 20 overs (D.A. Warner 46, S. Dhawan 34, K.S. Williamson 27; A. Mishra 2-19, N.M. Coulter-Nile 2-25); DELHI DAREDEVILS 150-3 in 18.1 overs (Q. de Kock 44, R.R. Pant 39 not out, S.V. Samson 34 not out, K.K. Nair 20; M.C. Henriques 2-19).

Published in Dawn, May 14th, 2016