World Of Sports

Simon Katich marked his last game in the Indian Premier League with a match-winning display as Kings XI Punjab beat Delhi Daredevils by four wickets.

The Australian, preferred to Ramnaresh Sarwan at the top of the order after missing the last two games, hit 75 to help his side get past the Daredevils' total of 158-8.

Yuvraj Singh was unbeaten on 40 not out at the end, the captain applying the finishing touch with a four off Shoaib Malik in the final over.

The Kings XI seam attack had earlier performed admirably to restrict a dangerous Delhi line-up, Irfan Pathan and Brett Lee both making early breakthroughs

Struggled

For once the Daredevils struggled at the start of their innings, losing captain Virender Sehwag and Shikhar Dhawan with only 12 runs on the board.

Opener Gautam Gambhir managed to make only 18 before becoming the third wicket to fall, Yuvraj Singh taking a comfortable catch to give VRV Singh his first wicket.

The right-arm seamer also dismissed Pakistan captain Shoaib Malik and Dinesh Karthik to finish with impressive figures of 3-29 in his four overs.

At 88-5 the Daredevils looked to be in dire straits, but Manoj Tiwary rescued the situation with 39 from 34 balls.

He was given good support by Rajat Bhatia (17) and Farveez Maharoof (18) to get the final total up to 158-8.

Early losses

Just like their opponents the Kings XI found life tough against the new ball, seamers Glenn McGrath and Mohammad Asif both picking up a wicket in their first over.

Despite the double setback Katich made sure the run rate remained on course, dominating a third-wicket alliance of 58 with Sri Lanka skipper Mahela Jayawardene.

The left-hander justified his selection with a 52-ball innings that included 11 fours, two of which were back-to-back blows off former international team-mate McGrath.

There was also a six from Katich before he was run out by Sehwag's sharp throw, leaving Delhi four down and still 43 runs away from victory.

However, Yuvraj kept his cool in the closing overs, sweeping a four to finish the game with three balls.