Punjab Kings vs Delhi Capitals, 36th Match - Live Cricket Score, Commentary

Series: Indian Premier League, 2017 Venue: Punjab Cricket Association IS Bindra Stadium, Mohali Date & Time: Apr 30, 04:00 PM LOCAL

Martin Guptill completed a 27-ball half-century as KXIP marched to a 10-wicket win © BCCI

Done and dusted: KXIP win by 10 wickets

The target was only 68 but Martin Guptill still had enough to score a 27-ball half-century. KXIP made light work of the chase, reaching the target in 7.5 overs with all 10 wickets in the hut. Well that was super quick. This is a huge NRR boost for KXIP. Moves them up to fifth on the table. They can use this win as a springboard for the remainder of the league phase.

As far as Delhi Daredevils are concerned. It's now five straight losses. Something has to change otherwise they have a battle on their hands once more to avoid the wooden spoon.

This was quick. That's it from the blog. We have some time before the next game kicks off in Hyderabad. Join us for that. Until then, it's goodbye!

Guptill rapid in KXIP's chase

Walk in the park really for KXIP. NRR is a big incentive for Punjab boys as Guptill gets the chase offf to a flier. Guptill is in one of those marauding moods, when he hits everything off the middle of the blade. Got to only ask Morris, who's been hit over his head for a 95m six.

Easy peasy,

Daredevils bowled out for 67

Nothing went right for DD today right from the toss. Sandeep Sharma was excellent on a tacky wicket. No batsman showed the application needed to survive on such a wicket. Shambolic to say the least. KXIP won't be complaining. Here's a chance for them to give their NRR a boost.

Sigh...

. Been an excellent day for Sandeep Sharma

franchise over the years to establish no real identity.

37/6 in 10 overs. And so far, Karun Nair has been the only true DD batsman - If DD stands for Double Digits.

44 0

Toss: KXIP bowl; No Zaheer for DD

Ok changes galore for both teams including a new captain for DD - Karun Nair! Let's get the main news out - KXIP have opted to bowl.

Let's go through the changes team by team, starting with KXIP:

OUT - Eoin Morgan, Ishant Sharma, Anureet Singh, Cariappa

IN - Hashim Amla, T Natarajan, Sandeep Sharma, Varun Aaron

DD:

OUT - Pat Cummins, Zaheer Khan, Ankit Bawne

IN - Sam Billings, Mohd. Shami, Shabaz Nadeem

Nair as captain? That's a surprise given his horror run in the season so far. Perhaps, the added responsibility will spur him on to better his returns? What do you make o the decision? Should another player have gotten the captaincy? Send in your opinions by Tweeting to @kaushik_cb.

Meanwhile, Billings and Samson walk out... Here's Sandeep Sharma!

Battle of the unfancied

It's Kings XI Punjab vs Delhi Daredevils in the 36th Match of IPL 2017. Are you keeping count? If there was a popularity stakes, there are chances that these two sides (from the original 8 IPL teams) may finish at the bottom of that list.

It's conjecture of course but given that these two teams have a combined aggregate of one finals appearance between them and have changed the composition of their sides on frequent basis - it's been hard for them to garner a faithful following.

This season hasn't been any different in that common narrative. KXIP are sixth and Delhi eighth, separated at the bottom of the table only by a woeful RCB. But Delhi, who've lost four on a bounce, will still like to believe they have enough time for a turnaround given that they've played only seven games thus far.

It's a long way back for these two sides but for one today could be a start of something special... Welcome to Mohali. Here's hoping for a good encounter. Something to match last night's drama in Rajkot. Toss and Teams coming up...

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