http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Delhi-c780 Daredevils - Indian Premier League 5 – Match Recap – Daredevils retain top spot with 6-wicket victory over Royals
The Delhi Daredevils’ place in the Indian Premier League 5 playoffs is all but secure after they claimed their 4th consecutive win – a 6-wicket victory – over the Rajasthan Royals at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur on May 1.
After winning the toss and electing to bat, Royals’ skipper http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Ajinkya-Rahane-c970 (42), and the two established a steady 71-run stand.
However, the Royals’ top order fell prey to the devastating assault of left-arm spinner Pawan Negi, who was replacing http://www.senore.com/Cricket/V-Sehwag-c2739 at point, leaving the hosts at 71 for 1.
The remainder of the batting order were unable to pick up from where the partnership left off. Rahane was followed to the crease by http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Thomas-George-Burrows-c93472he Daredevils on April 29.
However, Watson wasn’t able to have much of an impact, and was clean bowled by Negi in the 11th over, after a contribution of 8 runs. He was followed to the pavilion by http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Umesh-Yadav-c94625, leaving the Royals at 90 for 3 by the 12th over.
Any chance of a middle-order comeback was crushed by Negi, who struck again, dismissing both http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Ashok-c46345 Menaria (2) in the same over before they could settle in at the crease – by the end of the 13th over, the Royals had been reduced to 95 for 5.
Dravid’s was aided in his attempts to enable his team to post a fighting total by wicketkeeper batsman http://www.senore.com/Cricket/M-Morkel-c73528.
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Ankeet-Chavan-c1051 (7) attempted to pick up from where their captain had left off, and added a combined 13 runs to the total, but time had run out for the Royals, who found themselves at 141 by the end of 20 overs.
The undisputed star of the Daredevils’ bowling attack was Negi, who claimed 4 for 18, while Yadav (4-0-28-1) and Morkel (4-0-23-1) also chipped in with useful contributions. http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Irfan-Pathan-c1601, however, proved costly, conceding 22 valuable runs in just 2 overs.
The Daredevils breezed through their 142-run chase, courtesy a vital half-century by Sehwag (73) – his fifth consecutive T20 fifty. Opener http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Watson-c96326 in the 11th over.
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/George-Bradley-Hogg-c59047 stepped up and eliminated both – however, by now the damage had already been done, and the Daredevils were at a secure 131 for 4 by the 15th over, just 11 runs short of the target.
The remaining runs were added to the total by http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Yogesh-Nagar-c98297 (9) and Ojha (11), who got their side up to 144 by the 16th over, at the expense of 6 wickets, with 28 balls remaining.
The Royals’ bowlers put up a poor display, with Hogg (4-0-32-2), Chavan (4-0-29-1), and Watson (4-0-29-1) remaining the only redeeming performers. The remaining bowlers were exceptionally expensive - http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Amit-Singh-c44048 bled 12 in one over, and Menaria conceded a shocking 10 in just 0.2 overs, registering an economy rate of 30.00.
The Player of the Match award went to Negi for his 4-wicket haul, and the Daredevils retained their top spot on the points table. One more victory out of their remaining 6 matches will ensure Sehwag’s men a place in the tournament play-offs.
The Daredevils will have a chance to secure this spot in their upcoming clash with the Kolkata Knight Riders on May 7. Meanwhile, the Royals (currently at number 6 on the points table) will be looking to improve their rankings as they face off against the Kings XI http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Punjab-c833 on May 5.
Tags: