Kolkata, Apr 10: A stupendous bowling effort backed up by steady batting helped two-time champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) overwhelm Delhi Daredevils by 9 wickets in their Indian Premier League (IPL) opener at the Eden Gardens here on Sunday.

Pandey, along with Gambhir, then struck a few blows to the ropes to help their side get over the line.

In the first innings, the Daredevils got off to a flying start with 23 runs coming off the first two overs. However, in the third over, Russell struck a double blow for the hosts by picking up Quinton de Kock and Shreyas Iyer.

By the end of the powerplay, Delhi had lost two more wickets in the form of Mayank Agarwal (9)and Karun Nair (3) with the score reading 35/4.

With the top-order back in the dugout, the Delhi innings moved forward at a snail's pace. Pawan Negi after a brief partnership of 20 with Sanju Samson got stumped trying to push the accelerator.

The West Indies' World T20 star Carlos Brathwaite too departed a little later after a monstrous six, foxed by a Piyush Chawla googly.

After 13 overs, the visitors were left struggling at 84/7 with their hopes pinned on Samson.

But he departed in the very next over edging one to the wicket-keeper.

Thereafter, it was only a matter of time before the Daredevils were bowled out and the inevitable happened in the 18th over.

IANS