Thanks to half centuries by opener Quinton de Kock (70, 39b, 9x4, 3x6) and skipper J.P. Duminy (67 not out, 43b, 4x4, 3x6), Delhi Daredevils scored 187/5 after being asked to bat by Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in their Indian Premier League (IPL) game here on Sunday.
Under brooding skies, the Daredevils' performance provided some cheer to their supporters despite a middle-order collapse that nearly undid all the good work of de Kock and Duminy.
Cruising along at 110/1 in the 12th over, Daredevils, who are out of the race for playoffs, lost de Kock, Yuvraj Singh (11), Kedar Jadhav (0) and Angelo Mathews (1) in quick succession and slid to 141/5 in the 16th.
RCB bowlers stuck to their task despite coming in for punishment at the hands of de Kock and Duminy while picking up wickets at regular intervals to rein in the visitors.
The Daredevils began well with de Kock and Shreyas Iyer (20) putting on 55 when the latter was caught at point by Chris Gayle. Duminy and de Kock added a further 55 for the second wicket in quick time before the home bowlers struck some telling blows.
RCB captain Virat Kohli came up with a superb, running catch to dismiss de Kock, who was soon followed into the dugout by Yuvraj, Jadhav and Mathews.
Thereafter, Duminy took charge and delivered some lusty blows in the company of Saurabh Tiwari (11 not out) to ensure Daredevils a fighting total.
