DeVillers delivers for Delhi Daredevils

Those who thought Delhi had only two batsmen in Sehwag and Gambhir, then you probably have to change your perception. Add another two batsmen to the power packed team and now Delhi Daredevils look a more formidable opposition then ever before. The batsmen for the day were A B DeVillers (105) and Tilkeratne Dilshan (50). Just when Chennai thought they had done their homework well by trapping Gambhir for a duck and Sehwag for 6, they wouldn’t have expected the A B DeVillers twist to their script. The knock played by him was well paced and balanced. Tilkeratne Dilshan started like a dasher smashing 50 runs of just 27 balls with 7 fours and 2 sixes. It was during this phase that AB DeVillers was playing the second fiddle. But once Dilshan left it was all DeVillers show, his second 50 coming of only 19 balls. Delhi managed a score of 189 in their allotted 20 overs, competent enough considering the start they got. Laxmipathy Balaji impressed with the ball scalping 3 wickets for just 19 runs. He is swiftly returning to the mainstream cricket after a long injury break.

Chennai Super Kings started their chase aggressively. Hayden’s golden run continued as he imposed completely on the Delhi bowlers. Raina giving him good company moved closer to the target at frenetic pace. Just when CSK were comfortably placed the fresh face in Delhi camp Pradeep Sangwan turned the tables for Delhi with his impressive bowling performance claiming Hayden (57) and Raina (41). After the double strike on either side of the mid-innings break, Chennai never recovered as Vetorri spun his web around the CSK batsmen. He claimed Dhoni and Badrinath to finish with figures of 2 for 29. The best part though was how Delhi held its nerve in the last four crucial overs of the match. CSK messed it up with blind hitting and panic running between the wickets. The pressure finally reduced the chase 9 runs short of the target.

Result: Delhi Daredevils win by 9 runs over Chennai Super Kings.

With this win Delhi moves to 4 points and Chennai remains at 2.

Man of the Match: AB DeVillers