
Delhi Daredevils just a win away from getting back on track in IPL 2018: Liam Plunkett
Delhi Daredevils (DD) came agonisingly close to victory in their 2018 Indian Premier League (IPL) game against Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) at the Ferozeshah Kotla Stadium on Monday, but a controlled last over from Mujeeb Ur Rahman clinched the game for the visitors. With 17 runs needed from the last over, Daredevils’ top-scorer Shreyas Iyer scored 12 runs off the first five deliveries but was caught in the deep off the final ball. (DD vs KXIP highlights)
Liam Plunkett, who was the pick of the bowlers for Delhi Daredevils with three wickets, said they expected to win the game and the loss was ‘frustrating’ for the entire team. (DD vs KXIP scorecard)
“It was really disappointing to lose such a close game. I think we should have won this match, but this is how cricket works. You can play well for 39 overs but it all depends on how you finish the game. It is really frustrating for all of us,” Plunkett said at the post-match press conference.
READ MORE | I don’t try to hit like AB de Villiers, Chris Gayle - Kane Williamson
Liam Plunkett, who was a late addition to the Daredevils squad as a replacement for the injured Kagiso Rabada, made his debut for the hosts on Monday and his impact was instant. He dismissed the in-form duo of KL Rahul and Mayank Agarwal in his first spell and then came back to take the wicket of Karun Nair who was looking dangerous for Kings XI Punjab. When asked about his performance, Plunkett said that his experience during the 2016 ICC World T20 helped him in adapting to the conditions.
“It was a great feeling to finally get a game in the IPL. I wanted to perform well for the side and I am extremely happy that I was able to take crucial wickets on my debut in the competition,” he added.
“From the beginning, we knew that the wicket is assisting the bowlers and this was really similar to the turf I played on during the 2016 ICC World T20. I played three games for England at this venue and that experience helped me in getting accustomed to the situation,” said Plunkett.
READ MORE | IPL 2018: Sunrisers Hyderabad look to pin down struggling Mumbai Indians
This was Delhi Daredevils’ fifth loss in the 2018 Indian Premier League (IPL) and they are stuck at the bottom of the points table. Plunkett admitted that the situation is not ideal for his team, but the England pacer added they need just one victory to get back on track.
“We have remember that there are a lot of games left in the tournament. All we need is one good win and that momentum will help us in stitching together good results,” he said.

Want to be best keeper-batsman: Raina recalls Pant's words at training

'He should be allowed to go elsewhere': Gambhir 'surprised' KKR retained spinner

England's James Anderson breaks records with 30th five-wicket haul

Hogg warns against removing Kohli as captain, says it might affect his batting
- There has been a clamour to remove Virat Kohli as the captain of the Indian cricket team. Even though he is the most successful captain in India’s Test cricket history, some fans have sought to change his leadership role.

'I was in pain': How Navdeep Saini bowled despite injury at Gabba

'Our young cricketers are weekend warriors compared to their Indian compatriots'

'They made a mistake': Ashwin questions Australia's tactics in Sydney Test

'Shastri said if players' families not allowed, we are not going to Australia'
- Sridhar said the Indian team management was informed about their family members not being allowed to travel to Australia with them 48 hours before their journey from Dubai.

India count embarrassment of pace riches from Australia tour

We don't fear losing: Bharat Arun
- Four bowlers made debuts against a line-up that boasted the likes of Steve Smith, David Warner and Marnus Labuschagne. That the visitors still emerged as the better side is the strongest possible proof that India’s bowling reserve is exceptionally talented and deep.

'Virat Kohli messaged around 12:30 am, the night we were bowled out for 36'
- The India fielding coach said Kohli had messaged him around 12:30 at night after India suffered a humiliating loss in Adelaide to discuss the plans for the next Test in Melbourne.

Bharat Arun heaps praise on India's 'most complete all-rounder'
- Jadeja, who did not feature in the first Test against Australia because of an injury, came back into the side for the second Test in Melbourne and immediately left his mark in all three departments of the game.

India head coach Ravi Shastri names 'the find of the Australia tour'
