Chennai SuperKings throw away the advantage to go down against Delhi Daredevils. Delhi Daredevils batting first were in for a shock as both Sehwag and Gambhir got out early. Dilshan and Devilliers then played a care free cricket scoring 10 per over. Dilshan was dismissed scoring a fifty but Devilliers played one of the best IPL innings this year. He scored a sensational century to get his team past 150. With help of other small innings from Karthik and Tiwary Delhi managed 189/5 in 20 overs. Balaji took 19/3 in 4 overs.
Matthew Hayden and Parthiv Patel scored heavily with Hayden punishing every bowler. They scored a quick fire half century after which Parthiv was sent to the pavilion. Raina too played well for his 41 but got out at an important stage. Hayden scored 51 when Sangwan sent him back.
The momentum fizzled out and Flintoff continued his forgettable IPL once again not adding to the team cause. Morkel didn't fulfill his promise of a big hitter and was left stranded at the non-striker's end watching the procession of his colleagues at the other end. Chennai managed only 180/9 falling short by 9 runs. Now, Delhi has won both their matches to raise to the top of the points table while Chenai has won only one from there three matches.
Match 9:
Delhi Daredevils: 189/5 in 20 overs.
Chennai SuperKings:180/9 in 20 overs.
MOM: AB Devilliers.
Every IPL game is big because there is so much at stake, but the one taking place at Kingsmead on Thursday is special because it features two crack teams — Delhi Daredevils and Chennai Superkings. Both appear to be well balanced and possess enviable firepower in all departments.Last year’s runners-up the Chennai Super Kings will look to maintain their winning momentum after bouncing back from their opening match defeat.
On paper at least the Daredevils have an explosive batting order that starts firing from the top with openers Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir being in murderous form. They have depth in batting too and to make things intriguing, they will be up against a side which has the attack to test them. On the other hand,Australian Matthew Hayden, who holds the orange cap, has been in great touch even after his retirement. CSK has no less batting firepower than the formidable looking batting line-up of Delhi Daredevils.
Among pacers, Daredevils will depend on the exuberance of Indian youngsters Pradeep Sangwan, Yomahesh and Australian Dirk Nannes. For Super Kings, Manpreet Gony, L. Balaji and all-rounders Flintoff and Morkel will do the job.With spinners dominating the game so far, Thursday’s match would also witness New Zealander Daniel Vettori and Sri Lankan Muttiah Muralitharan displaying their wily stuff.
It’s tempting to say that every T20 match is a clash among equals. If this doesn’t hold true for all such matches under the sun, the one on Sunday between Delhi Daredevils and Kings XI Punjab is certainly one. For, both were losing semifinalists last year. The Daredevils, the pundits' favourite, boast off a balanced side with in-form batsmen and experienced bowlers in their ranks though the result can go either way as both the sides will be rusty in their first matches at Newlands.
Losing every match hurts, but losing in the semifinals probably hurts more because you are not counted among the elites who make the finals despite being better than the masses. That way, these teams would have this extra urge to go one step further this year.
The Delhi franchisee have an explosive batting line-up with the likes of captain Virender Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir, David Warner and South African AB de Villiers in pink of form while Glenn McGrath and Daniel Vettori will lead the bowling department.
This match is perhaps the best contest between the wily Sehwag and flamboyant Yuvraj Singh.
Kings XI Punjab are no less formidable in batting with Sri Lankans Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawradene besides captain Yuvraj Singh.But there bowling lacks depth with the likes of Irfan Pathan and Piyush Chawla are the only mainstays of this team's bowling.
