Coulter-Nile sends Kolkata to IPL summit

The result: Delhi Daredevils 7-168 (Samson 39, Coulter-Nile 3-22) were defeated by Kolkata Knight Riders 6-169 (Pandey 69*, Pathan 59) by four wickets with one ball remaining

The match in a tweet: Nathan Coulter-Nile makes stunning comeback with three wickets in first match for nearly a year as Kolkata go top

The comeback kid: It's fair to say Nathan Coulter-Nile has had some rotten luck with injuries over the journey. Hamstrings, shoulders, and the dreaded bone stress injury have all limited his involvement in cricket over the past few years, costing him appearances in Australia's limited overs sides and even possibly a Test berth. So it is a welcome boost for Australia's soaring pace stocks to not only see the Western Australian fit and firing on the park, but taking wickets and winning matches too.

Coulter-Nile finished with the well-earned figures of 3-22, but it all could have been so much more for the Kolkata Knight Riders' opening bowler. He saw not one but two catches put down in his final over. And while the chance put down by Umesh Yadav, running in off the boundary, was unfortunate but understandable, the second drop, by captain Gautum Gambhir, was all but unforgivable such was the simplicity of the offering.

And if that wasn't enough misfortune, the Western Australian then dispensed with the need for fielders, spearing in a slower ball at the leg stump for his final delivery, deceiving the slogging batsman and clipping the leg stump. Only for the bail to remain intact. But after ten months on the sidelines, these things pale.

The Pandey show: Hot on the heels of David Warner for the IPL's leading run scorer, Manish Pandey added another 69 to steer the Knight Riders home in a perfectly timed run-chase, although one not without its hiccups and heart-in-mouth moments. Pandey has also three not outs from his four knocks, currently boasting an incredible average of 221 in IPL10. Firstly playing the anchor role to Yusuf Pathan's power-hitting – he raced to a 39-ball 59 – then taking over to steer the side home in a tense finale. A diving effort on the boundary by Sanju Samson saved a six in a remarkable feat of athleticism and kept Pandey off strike. He found himself back facing with three balls left and eight runs still needed. A nerveless six off Amit Mishra lofted over Pat Cummins' head and into the stands to ease the nerves, and the next ball was coolly punched down the ground for two to seal the win.

Super Samson: The fielding effort from Sanju Samson may have been in a losing cause, but it was a remarkable feat of athleticism. Running full pace to his right, Samson dived from his final step inside the rope, caught the ball in mid-air over his right shoulder, and flicked it back inside the rope. There wasn't a fielder close enough to orchestrate a catch, but the effort saved four runs and kept Delhi in the hunt.

The wash-up: The Knight Riders are now top of the table and sitting pretty, even with master blast batsman Chris Lynn still sidelined with that shoulder injury. The return to home turf for their next match, hosting the underperforming Gujarat Lions but, if the IPL has taught us anything, is there is no such thing as an easy match. Delhi now run headlong into a red-hot David Warner and the Sunrisers Hyderabad on their home turf, which will be another tough match.