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IPL PIX: Curran's hat-trick lifts Punjab to incredible win

Last updated on: April 02, 2019 00:41 IST

Images from the IPL match between Kings XI Punjab and Delhi Capitals in Mohali on Monday.

IMAGE: Sam Curran, 2nd left, celebrates with his team-mates after completing his hat-trick and bowling Kings XI Punjab to victory. Photograph: BCCI

Kings XI Punjab's costliest buy Sam Curran proved his worth with an incredible spell at the back end as the home team pulled off a miraculous 14-run victory against Delhi Capitals left stunned by an inexplicable batting collapse, in the IPL match in Mohali, on Monday.

England pacer Curran picked up 4/11 in 2.2 overs including a hat-trick and was ably supported by Mohammed Shami as Delhi Capitals were shot out for 152 in 19.2 overs in pursuit of 167.

From 144 for 3, Delhi lost their last seven wickets for eight runs in 17 deliveries, something that will haunt them for days to come especially after Rishabh Pant and Colin Ingram set up what looked like an easy win.

Pant muscled a couple of sixes over midwicket, smashing 39 off 26 balls, while Ingram made a brisk 38 off 29 balls during their stand of 62 in 6.5 overs that took Capitals closer to victory.

IMAGE: Rishabh Pant is bowled by Mohammed Shami. Photograph: BCCI

However, there was still a late twist to come with Punjab's bowlers not willing to give up.

In the space of nine deliveries, Capitals lost four wickets for four runs as the Punjab bowler turned the match on it's head.

Once Pant was bowled by Mohammed Shami and Chris Morris was needlessly run-out off the very next delivery, things started going downhill for the visitors.

Curran dealt twin blows removing Ingram and Harshal Patel while Hanuma Vihari (2) was dismissed by Shami as the match swung in Punjab's favour.

IMAGE: Ravichandran Ashwin, right, celebrates after running out Chris Morris. Photograph: BCCI

Opener Prithvi Shaw couldn't replicate his performance against KKR but Shikhar Dhawan (30 off 25 balls) and skipper Shreyas Iyer (28 off 22 balls) added 61 for the second wicket to set the platform.

Iyer failed to convert the start as he inside edged an incoming delivery from Hardus Viljoen, while Dhawan was trapped leg before wicket by a carrom ball from Ashwin.

IMAGE: Delhi Capitals' players celebrate the wicket of Mayank Agarwal. Photograph: BCCI

Delhi Capitals bowlers put in a disciplined performance to restrict Kings XI Punjab to 166 for nine against Delhi Capitals in the Indian Premier League match, in Mohali, on Monday.

With Chris Gayle ruled out due to back injury, Punjab batsmen got off to starts but none could carry on to play substantial knocks.

David Miller top scored with a quickfire 43 from 30 balls, putting on 62 runs for the fourth wicket with Sarfaraz Khan (39 from 29 balls) to rally the hosts after a few quick wickets at the start.

But Delhi's bowlers claimed regular wickets in the final few overs to keep Punjab's score in check, who lost five for 37 runs in the last five overs.

David Miller

IMAGE: David Miller hits a boundary. Photograph: BCCI

Morris took three for 30, while Kagiso Rabada took two for 32 and Sandeep Lamichhane claimed two for 27.

South African Morris was the pick of the bowlers, removing the in-form KL Rahul leg before wicket for 15 with an quick incoming delivery.

Sam Curran, promoted to open the innings, hit an entertaining 20 from 10 balls but was trapped leg before wicket by leg-spinner Sandeep Lamichhane.

Mayank Agarwal backed up a long way and was run out by Shikar Dhawan's direct throw at the non-striker's end.

IMAGE: Sandeep Lamichhane celebrates after taking the wicket of Sarfaraz Khan. Photograph: BCCI

While Miller attacked Lamichhane hitting him for a six over midwicket, but the leg-spinner made the key breakthrough with the wicket of Sarfaraz, who was caught behind by wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant.

Morris made it worse for Delhi with the big wicket of Miller, who miscued the heave and was caught on the off-side by Pant.

Mandeep Singh played a vital knock of 29 not out from 21 balls at the end to take the team past 160-run mark, including 13 runs off the final over bowled by Rabada.

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