Nair takes Delhi to 168/8 against Pune

Karun Nair struck his first half century of the season to take Delhi Daredevils to 168 for eight against Rising Pune Supergiant in their Indian Premier League match here today.
Nair (64 off 45) and Rishabh Pant (36 off 22) set the platform for Delhi before regular fall of wickets pushed them back a bit.
Delhi, going against the trend, chose to bat after picking a side comprising eight Indians and three foreigners, becoming the second team to do so this season after Gujarat Lions.
Captain Zaheer Khan said at the toss that his players were "looking to express themselves" after already being out of the play-off race.

However, it was another wobbly start for Delhi, who lost Sanju Samson and last match's hero Shreyas Iyer to be nine for 2 in third over. Samson was out to a brilliant direct hit by Ben Stokes while Iyer tried to slash a back of length ball off Jaydev Unadkat only to edge it back to Mahnedra Singh Dhoni.
Nair and Pant then got together and took the attack to the opposition. No boundaries were scored in the first three overs but they made up for that by smashing five fours and six in the next three. Both batsmen looked in cracking form.

Offie Washington Sundar was taken to the cleaners in his first over with Nair collecting two fours on the leg side before Pant hit a flat six to get going.

Similar treatment was meted out to Pune's star all- rounder Stokes, who went for 13 in his opening over, courtesy three crisp hits from Nair.
Pant was not be kept quiet at the other end and his standout shot was the massive six over mid-wicket that almost landed on the dressing room balcony. Trying for another big one, Pant departed the next ball after being caught at long on off Adam Zampa, leaving Delhi at 83 for three in nine overs.

Marlon Samuels (27 of 21) supported Nair for a while with the highlight of his innings being the two consecutive sixes off Shardul Thakur, who ended up leaking 35 runs in 3 overs.
Just when Delhi seemed set for a big score, Dhoni swung the momentum in Pune's favour with some outstanding glove work. Showing he was still one of the best in the business, Dhoni sent back Samuels with a one-hand catch on the jump before dismantling the stumps in a jiffy to remove Corey Anderson.
Nair had gone quiet while wickets well at the other end. He got to first half century of the IPL with a single.

Pune bowlers did well to contain Delhi towards the end and were complemented well by the fielders. One such example was when Stokes showed great presence of mind at the deep midwicket boundary to complete the catch on his second attempt, seeing the back of Mohammed Shami.