On debut captaincy, Iyer shines; DD score 219/4

New Delhi: Leading from the front on his captaincy debut, Shreyas Iyer (unbeaten 93 runs off 40 deliveries) sprang new life into Delhi Daredevils as the hosts put up a mammoth 219/4 against Kolkata Knight Riders at the Feroz Shah Kotla here on Friday.

The skipper forged a strong partnership with Prithvi Shaw (of 68 runs) first and

then a 72-run stand with Glenn Maxwell for the fourth wicket to destroy KKR's bowling line-up.

Iyer saved his best for the last as he scored 29 runs in the final over off Mavi (four sixes and a boundary).

Getting Maxwell (27 from 18) run out was the only moment of happiness for the young pacer in the 20th over.

Earlier, after winning the toss, Dinesh Karthik decided to bowl first as veteran pace bowler Mitchell Johnson walked in the line-up for Tom Curran.

Iyer made the tough choice on his first day by dropping old guard Gautam Gambhir and accommodated Colin Munro in the opening slot.

Also, all-rounder Vijay Shankar was brought back in the line-up for Dan Christian.

The Kiwi southpaw justified his selection by giving a bright start to the troubled Delhi side.

Along with Indian Under-19 hero Prithvi Shaw, Munro (33 runs from 18 balls) ripped apart the KKR bowling attack in the powerplay by amassing 57 runs. While Munro used his bottom hand to dominate the bowlers, the flamboyant Prithvi emanated his class with immaculate stroke-making.

The breakthrough finally arrived for KKR when young speedster Shivam Mavi dislodged the stumps of Munro off the last ball of the seventh over.

After losing his opening partner, Prithvi (62 from 44) kept the scoreboard ticking for the home side.

The 18-year-old patiently scored off the weak deliveries and dealt in singles from the remaining to reach his maiden half-century in the IPL.

First down, Shreyas Iyer soon joined in as he hit Kuldeep Yadav for a six in the 12th over. The partnership was finally broken by Chawla who clean bowled the 18-year-old opener when the score read 127 at the end of 14th over.

Newly-in Rishab Pant soon followed Prithvi as he fell prey to Andre Russell for null.

Unfazed by the fall of two successive wickets, Iyer kept the scoreboard moving at a good pace. The skipper took Delhi above 200 with an able partner in Maxwell.

Brief scores: DD 219/4 (Shreyas Iyer 93 not out, Prithvi Shaw 62, Colin Munro 33; Andre Russell 1/28) vs KKR.