Delhi Daredevils were back to their clinical, remorseless ways as they consolidated their position at the top of the DLF Indian Premier League with a 14-run win against defending champions Rajasthan Royals. This victory came on the heels of a tight game against Deccan Chargers and a shocking loss to Kings XI Punjab.
With 18 points from 12 games and with matches against Royal Challengers Bangalore and Mumbai Indians on hand, Delhi Daredevils look set to retain the top position, going into the semifinal stage. Rajasthan Royals, who rued a 25-run over at the end of Delhi Daredevils innings, face a stiff task in the race for a spot in the last four.
Opting to bat first, Delhi Daredevils posted a challenging total of 150, thanks to the third wicket firm of AB de Villiers (79 not out, 55 balls) and Tillekeratne Dilshan (33, 41 balls) and their 87-run stand that helped the team recover from losing openers Gautam Gambhir and Virender Sehwag in Munaf Patel's second over.
De Villiers was superb as he paced his innings to a nicety, settling in at a critical stage and then opening his shoulders. The manner in which he found gaps in the field was amazing and left the Rajasthan Royals captain Shane Warne scratching his head, wondering how to curb the in-form batsman.
Dinesh Karthik played his now familiar finisher's role to perfection and shared an unbroken 48-run stand with de Villiers. The runs in their partnership came off just 20 deliveries, including the 25-run over off hapless Munaf Patel. It hurried Delhi Daredevils past the 140-run mark that they set fro themselves.
Rajasthan Royals's chase of the 151-run target depended on how well they could start against the new ball pair of Ashish Nehra Dirk Nannes. The bowlers accounted for one opener each, Avishkar Salvi taking a great catch on the second attempt at square third man to see Graeme Smith's back in the second over and Nannes himself taking a superb overhead catch at fine leg to ensure Rob Quiney's dismissal.
It was an uphill battle for Rajasthan Royals after that with leg-.spinner Amit Mishra claiming three wickets in his four overs. Towards the end of a lost cause, Munaf Patel provided some entertainment by making the second highest score by a No. 11 batsman in the history of Twenty20 cricket.
Rajasthan Royals have a game against Kolkata Knight Riders in Durban on Wednesday and will be hoping to win two points from that game to stay in the frame when the third and fourth semifinalists are spotted.
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