Deccan Chargers Vs Delhi Daredevils at Cuttack, Match Report (Mar 21)

Deccan Chargers picked up their third win in four matches after defeating Delhi Daredevils by 10 runs at Cuttack. It was Andrew Symonds again playing the all-rounder’s role to perfection – 35 (from 24 balls) with the bat and 3 for 21 in 4 overs with the ball plus a stunning return catch that was the turning point of the game. For the second consecutive time, Symonds picked up the Man of the Match.

The Daredevils went in with a new strategy by bowling the spinners with the new ball which worked well as the homeside was reduced to 44 for 2 inside 5 overs. However, the Chargers recovered quickly through Gibbs (31 from 26 balls) and Symonds (35 which included two sixes). Rohit Sharma (45 from 30 balls with 3 fours and 3 sixes) gave a nice finish along with T Suman (29 from 19 balls). The Chargers got what they wanted – 171 for 6 while Daredevils were also happy with what they were going to chase.

The visitors got off to a dashing start from left handed David Warner but lost Sehwag to a reluctant lofted shot off Ojha. Warner after scoring an impressive 57 from 33 balls (with 4 fours and 4 sixes) was run out after trying to take a run right from the hands of the point fielder. Punjab leg spinner Rahul Sharma who started in an ordinary manner came good when AB de Villiers (27) wrongly picked a full ball to slog sweep!

Daredevils brought the Chargers back in the game as they lost few more wickets in their chase. Another big wicket to fall was that of Moises Henriques in the 17th over itself which left the entire responsibility on the shoulders of the Daredevils’ Skipper. Dinesh Karthik (46 from 27 balls with 4 fours and 2 sixes) came up with a couple of lusty blows to make the equation in his team’s favour until Symonds pulled off a one handed return catch to his right! The tail enders couldn’t do much in the last over bowled by Vaas and the Daredevils fell short at 161 for 9.