IPL 2018, Match 2: Kings XI Punjab beat Delhi Daredevils

Opener KL Rahul blasted his way to a fastest ever half-century in Indian Premier League as a new look Kings XI Punjab started their campaign on a resounding note defeating Delhi Daredevils by six wickets

Asked to bat first, Delhi got off to a cautious start after losing their opener Colin Munro (4) in the third over, as he missed a switch hit and Rahman trapped him leg before. Despite losing his opening partner Munro, Gambhir batted well and repeatedly hit left-arm spinner Axar Patel inside out.

Earlier, Gambhir's 42-ball 55 helped Delhi Daredevils post a decent total of 166. Gambhir's knock was studded with five boundaries and a six and he fell run out in he 15th over dealing a blow to Delhi's hopes of achieving a big total.

At 77 for 3 in the 10th over, Rishabh Pant (28) raised hopes for DD and looked to bat with ease along side Gambhir. However, he too departed in the 11th over of the innings having scored a quickfire 13-ball 28.

The star of the match certainly was Rahul, who started with a top-edged six and a couple of boundaries off Trent Boult. Rahul, who smashed six boundaries and four sixes in his 16-ball-51, the match as a contest was over within the Powerplay as KXIP raced away to 73 for 2 in six overs.

Karun Nair, who has had a mixed season, then helped himself to a 33-ball-50 as the home team reached the target in 18.5 overs. Only Yuvraj Singh's 12 off 22 balls stuck out like a sore thumb as he once again looked a pale shadow of his old self. At the end, Marcus Stoinis and David Miller chased down the target with ease as Punjab won by 6 wickets