Delhi skipper Sehwag admits poor batting led to their second home defeat to Deccan Chargers yesterday
Delhi skipper Sehwag admits poor batting led to their second home defeat to Deccan Chargers yesterdayDelhi Daredevils' first win at home in season four of the Indian Premier League (IPL) remained elusive as they went down to Deccan Chargers by 16 runs at the Feroz Shah Kotla here yesterday.
|
| Deccan Chargers' Sunny Sohal en route to his man of the match-winning knock of 62 off just 41 balls (eight fours & one six) against Delhi Daredevils at the Feroz Shah Kotla in New Delhi yesterday. Deccan Chargers won by 16 runs. PIC/AFP |
It was an all-round performance by Deccan Chargers, who climbed to the fourth spot in the IPL after their second win from five matches.
Daredevils failed to move out of the ninth spot as they crashed to their third loss in four matches.
For the Chargers, skipper Kumar Sangakkara showed the way with a classical, yet fiery, 49 and along with Man of the Match Sunny Sohal (62), added an invaluable 92 runs for the second wicket that took the 2009 champions to a competitive 168 for four from 20 overs.
Sohal and Sangakkara set the platform for a late charge by Cameron White, who remained unbeaten on 31 off 25 balls.
None of the Daredevils' batsmen, barring opener David Warner (51), could get a big score and were restricted to 152 for seven from 20 overs.
The Chargers were tidy in their bowling. Pacers Daniel Christian and Harmeet Singh picked up two wickets each.
Daredevils' most consistent performer Venugopal Rao (21) failed to come good and Yogesh Nagar struck an 11-ball 23 but it was not enough.
After the loss, Sehwag took the blame on himself for failing to provide a strong start.
"If you look at other teams, when they get a good start, they usually win the game. Hopefully Warner and I can give a good start as well," Sehwag said.
Sehwag also backed under-fire all-rounder Irfan Pathan, who was bought for $1.9 million but has yet to justify his price tag.
"Irfan is coming from an injury after one and a half years and he will take time. He picked up an early wicket. In four overs he gave just 30 runs, so he is getting better day by day," he said.
The Kotla wicket was once again the talking point with its low bounce.
"The wicket has been like that for some years (now). It is difficult to chase 160-170 on this wicket. You have to apply yourself and also need a good start," he said.
