With the 'Universe Boss' ruled out due to back injury (lat strain), KXIP batsmen despite being good at times could never really take the Delhi bowling apart.
For Punjab, Karan and Rahul came to the crease to open the innings. KL Rahul’s quick fiery knck remain short-lived as just after hitting big six to Morris, the South African speedster bowled a stunner to get the top-order batsman out for an LBW.
Sam Curran was looking in good touch and had hit Avesh Khan for three fours in third over. However, Curran’s little cameo came to an end after Lamichhane got him LBW out in the 4th over.
With Punjab down for two, Sarfaraz Khan and Mayank Agarwal looked in great knick as they were attacking Deli bowlers with controlled aggression, hitting fours and stealing singles whenever the duo got the opportunity.
In the 7th over, Khan played a drive to Harshal Patel’s delivery straight to cover, where Shikhar Dhawan picked up the ball and aimed a direct-hit at bowler’s end. Unfortunately for Punjab, Agarwal tried to recover but the ball hits the stumps and Dhawan sent Agarwal packing.
Save David Miller (43 off 30 balls) and Sarfaraz Khan (39 off 29 balls), other batsmen didn't have a good day against the trio of Chris Morris *(3/30), Kagiso Rabada (2/32) and young Sandeep Lamichhane (2/27 in 4 overs).
Morris was the pick of the bowlers, removing KXIP's last-match hero KL Rahul (15) with an inswinger as he played across the line.
Miller and Sarfaraz however didn't get bogged down as they added 62 in 6.4 overs carrying out a recovery process from 58 for three. Sarfaraz also played a 'Dilscoop' over the keeper as he ducked under the ball, keeping his bat ready for the ramp, and hit it for a beautiful scoop shot.
While Miller attacked Lamichhane hitting him for a six over long-on, Sarfaraz played his now patent "closed eyes scoop shot" over keeper's head.
But lamicchhane had the last laugh as he edged one to Rishabh Pant behind the stumps while Miller offer the Capitals skipper an easy skier trying to hit Morris out of the park.
In the end, Madeep Singh (29 no off 21 balls) took the team past 160-run mark.
Teams (Playing XI)
Kings XI Punjab (Playing XI): Lokesh Rahul(w), Mayank Agarwal, David Miller, Sarfaraz Khan, Mandeep Singh, Hardus Viljoen, Sam Curran, Ravichandran Ashwin(c), Murugan Ashwin, Mohammed Shami, Mujeeb Ur Rahman
Delhi Capitals (Playing XI): Prithvi Shaw, Shikhar Dhawan, Shreyas Iyer(c), Rishabh Pant(w), Colin Ingram, Hanuma Vihari, Harshal Patel, Chris Morris, Sandeep Lamichhane, Kagiso Rabada,