Shaun Marsh

Dharamsala: Kings XI Punjab produced a clinical all-round performance to score a comprehensive 29-run win over bottom-placed Delhi DareDevils to keep their play-off hopes alive in the Indian Premier League here Sunday.

Kings XI Punjab notched up 170 for six after being sent into bat with Paul Valthaty (62) and Shaun Marsh (47) scoring the bulk of the runs and later restricted Delhi to 141 for eight.

Chasing 171, Delhi felt the absence of captain Virender Sehwag, who had to leave the team because of a shoulder injury, as their batsmen failed to make any substantial contribution. David Warner top-scored with a run-a-ball 29.

Leg spinner Piyush Chawla grabbed an impressive 3 for 16 while Salabh Srivastava took two wickets for 39 runs. With this win, their third on the trot, KXIP have collected 12 points from 12 matches to remain in the hunt for a top four finish.

The Delhi openers were denied a strong start with the KXIP bowlers sticking to a disciplined line and length and extracting bounce and turn from the pitch.

Earlier, a quickfire 102-run stand for the third wicket between Valthaty (62) and Marsh (47) helped Kings XI Punjab post a challenging 170 for six.

Valthaty hit a 50-ball 62 which was studded with six fours and three sixes while Marsh’s quickfire 47 came from 28 balls with the help of five fours and three sixes.

During his innings, Valthaty went past Royal Challengers Bangalore’s Chris Gayle to be the highest scorer in the tournament with 438 to reclaim the Orange cap.