By IANS,
Hyderabad : A flashy captain’s knock by Virender Sehwag helped Delhi Daredevils register their second consecutive win in the Indian Premier League (IPL) Twenty20 tournament when they beat hosts Deccan Chargers by nine wickets at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium here Tuesday.
Daredevils achieved the target of 143 in just 13 overs as Sehwag made a brilliant 94 off just 41 deliveries to hand the hosts their second loss on the trot in the seventh match of the league. Sehwag’s innings overshadowed a brilliant 66 scored by Rohit Sharma, who helped the Chargers put 142 runs on board.
Sehwag looked in a dangerous mood as Chargers’ bowlers ran out of luck and were spanked to all parts of the ground. The worst sufferer was Andrew Symonds, who was hit by Sehwag for 30 runs in the 12th over.
After missing out on a big score at home against Rajasthan Royals last week, the stage was set for Sehwag to score. And he didn’t disappoint the packed crowd at the Rajiv Gandhi Stadium.
Sehwag was impeccable in shot selection and got good company from Shikhar Dhawan, who was unbeaten on 25. The Daredevils’ captain made the best use of the life he got when he was on 13. Spinner Pragyan Ojha dropped him in the deep off Chaminda Vaas.
Gautam Gambhir (12) after a half century in the last match missed out and was caught behind by Adam Gilchirst off Rudra Pratap Singh.
Earlier in the day, a batting strip came as a relief for the Chargers batsmen, who were still licking their wounds inflicted from the uneven pitch that resulted in their loss to Kolkata Knight Riders at the Eden Garden.
But measured bowling by Daredevils’ bowlers led by Glenn McGrath didn’t allow the big names in the Chargers’ side to open their hands. But a late charge by Rohit Sharma ensured that they had a good score on board.
Sharma hit 26 runs in a Farveez Maharoof over and rescued Chargers after the visitors had kept the likes of Adam Gilchrist, Andrew Symonds and Shahid Afridi quiet. Chargers captain V.V.S Laxman, who won the toss and decided to bat first, had his dreams of piling up the runs come crashing when the hosts were reeling at 60/5.
McGrath bowled well through his four overs, but two consecutive fours by Andrew Symonds spoilt his figures.
Sharma got going with a first-ball four off Yo Mahesh, and was always on the lookout for big shots right from the start and was severe on Maharoof.