Dilshan, Dinesh dominate

Published : May 09, 2009 00:00 IST

Delhi Daredevils inflicted the first defeat on Deccan Chargers, thanks to a charged up Tillakaratne Dilshan and Dinesh Karthik, who put on 79 runs for the fourth wicket.

Tillakaratne Dilshan and Dinesh Karthik handed Deccan Chargers its first defeat in the tournament, by steering Delhi Daredevils to a six-wicket win at Centurion. Some powerful lower-order hitting by Dwayne Smith helped Deccan Chargers make 148 for nine in 20 overs, a score Delhi overhauled in 18.4 overs.

COMING TOGETHER at 49 for three, Dilshan and Karthik put on 79 runs for the fourth wicket, for Delhi. Virender Sehwag looked in great touch before slashing hard to Herschelle Gibbs at backward point, off R. P. Singh. Gautam Gambhir and A. B. de Villiers perished owing to wrong shot-selection to derail Delhi's chase.

Thereafter, Dilshan and Karthik were watchful for a brief period before taking on the bowling. Karthik's paddle-shot six over deep squareleg off Rohit Sharma set the tone for the partnership. Soon enough, Dilshan took Smith on for half a dozen over mid-wicket. Delhi had the momentum going for it and scored freely.

ADAM GILCHIRST TRIED rotating his bowlers but failed to manage the breakthrough soon enough. Venugopal Rao was treated severely by Dilshan who tonked a flat six over mid-wicket and a four through covers in the 17th over, as Delhi was cruising. Fidel Edwards, who was penalised for a bouncer, causing some tension, was smashed for a six over deep square-leg to complete Delhi's successful chase. Dilshan's unbeaten 46-ball 52 comprised four fours and three sixes.

EARLIER, DECCAN HAD a bad start after opening bowler Dirk Nannes bowled splendidly to remove Gilchrist and Gibbs. The spinners then bowled well to leave Deccan struggling at 55 for four before Smith came in. Daniel Vettori was clobbered for three fours and Amit Mishra for two successive sixes by Smith; but the bowlers came back strongly to restrict Deccan to 148 for nine.

But the contest will eventually be remembered for the verbal exchanges at the end. "We all want passion. Fidel was getting frustrated at a few line-ball calls that he thought the umpires were a bit tough on. But in the heat of the battle he got fired up, though he didn't overstep the mark. There were a few little verbals here and there but it was nothing untoward. It was great passion and shows that everyone is very serious about this," said Gilchrist.

The scores

Deccan Chargers 148 for nine in 20 overs (A. Bilakhia 22, R. Sharma 23, D. Smith 48, D. Nannes two for 16, A. Nehra two for 30) lost to Delhi Daredevils 150 for four in 18.4 overs (V. Sehwag 20, T. Dilshan 52 not out, D. Karthik 41, S. Shoaib two for 20).

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