Kings XI Punjab skipper Adam Gilchrist had dubbed the contest against the Delhi Daredevils at the Ferozshah Kotla ground a six-hitting contest after both the sides crossed 200 thanks to short boundary on one side.
The Australian would have pulled his hair had his team played in Delhi on
Monday, for the boundaries appeared to have shrunk further for the Daredevils-Kochi Tuskers match.
As per the IPL guidelines, the square boundary should be at least 59.43 metres or 65 yards. As per the measurements shown by the broadcasters, it was only 56 metres. The boundary was reduced as the DDCA rolled out a fresh wicket on the other end of the square to provide conditions best suited to the home team.
The Daredevils couldn’t make good use of the shorter boundary or the livelier track. It was the visitors who reveled in the conditions to register a seven-wicket win in 15 overs.
Below-par score
First, their pacers used the helpful pitch to restrict the hosts to a modest 140, a below par score given the shorter boundary. They didn’t allow the Delhi batsmen to free their arms and take advantage of the short boundary.
Sehwag again looked in ominous touch when he smashed the first ball he faced to the fence. He, however, didn’t last long as P Parameswaran had him caught behind before he could inflict any significant damage. When David Warner too departed for just 13, Kochi had won half the battle. From there on, they were only required to keep things tight, which they did.
Brendon McCullum, with a quickfire 37 at the top, poured cold water on whatever hopes the hosts had left. Kochi cruised home with Parthiv Patel and Ravindra Jadeja completing the formalities.