20 May, 2008
Sehwag the Delhi hero

Virender Sehwag's brief but explosive innings set the tone as the Delhi Daredevils raced to a five-wicket victory over Bangalore on Monday, winning with 10 balls to spare.

The result sees Bangalore's hopes of progressing to the semi-finals ended, but Delhi remains on course.

After restricting the hosts to 7-154 in its 20 overs, Delhi quickly set about chasing down that total, with Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir putting on 90 for the first wicket.

Sehwag was the first to go. The Delhi captain hit two fours, a six, and another four in succession and was aiming for the boundary again when he was brilliantly caught by Bharat Chipli at point, departing for 47 off just 19 balls.

Delhi added another 10 runs to their total before Gambhir was run out for 39, trying to beat Cameron White's throw to turn a single into two runs.

Tillakaratne Dilshan made only four off 10 balls before he was stumped by Shreevats Goswami and AB de Villiers soon followed him back to the pavilion, caught behind after scoring 21 from 25 balls.

After Dinesh Karthik went for just six, Shikhar Dhawan (16no) and Farveez Maharoof (13no) came in to carry Delhi over the line.

Delhi's fast pace was in contrast to Bangalore's innings. Opener Bharat Chipli made just two runs off the 10 balls he faced before sending a top edge into the hands of Rajat Bhatia, who held on despite losing his footing.

Jacques Kallis had done the early run-scoring for the hosts, but he went for 25 soon after, edging behind to Dinesh Karthik.

Captain Rahul Dravid then followed for just nine, clean-bowled by Dilshan, leaving Bangalore at 3-73 with more than 10 overs gone.

The run rate did not improve and Bangalore had barely passed the 100 mark when Goswami went early in the 16th over, out for 52 caught by Dilshan at point.

White, Balachandra Akhil, and Praveen Kumar all went cheaply as the hosts crumbled, but Misbah-ul-Haq did at least restore some pride towards the end, hitting 24 off the last over - including three sixes.