New Delhi, April 20 (IANS): Delhi Daredevils batsmen failed to convert good starts into big knocks on a bowler-friendly pitch to finish on a modest 146/8 against title holders Kolkata Knight Riders here on Monday.

Put in to bat at the Feroz Shah Kotla, the home side lost opener Mayank Agarwal (1) and one down batsman J.P. Duminy (5) early, before the other opener Shreyas Iyer (31; 24b, 3x4, 6x1) and Manoj Tiwary (32; 28b, 54) tried to steady the ship with a 36-run partnerhip.

But just when it seemed Iyer was shaping up for a big score, he was foxed by a straighter one from leg-spinner Piyush Chawla.

The next wicket stand between Tiwary and Yuvraj Singh also looked promising, even though there was never any free flow of runs, as the hosts reached 69 for 3 at the halfway stage.

But after the duo had put on 37 runs, Tiwary failed to negotiate a short ball from Morne Morkel and ended up giving an easy catch at short mid-wicket. Delhi were 95 for four in the 14th over.

Yuvraj Singh (21) departed in the next over in the most casual manner. The India discard could not connect a sweep, and as he moved out of the crease without realsing where he was, wicket keeper Robin Uthappa brought down the stumps on his second attempt after missing in the first try.

Delhi added 43 runs in the last five overs, with Knight bowler Sunil Narine leaking 12 and 20 runs in his last two overs - the 17th and 19th of the innings.

Umesh Yadav, who had gone wicketless till then, got double success in the last over, giving away only three runs. He finished with impressive figures of 2 for 18. Piyush Chawla (2 for 27) and Morne Morkel (2 for 30) were the other successful bowlers.