Sunrisers sting Daredevils with swing

Even the return of Virender Sehwag couldn’t end Delhi Daredevil’s opening woes as they capitulated again to post a meagre 114 for eight against the Sunrisers Hyderabad at the Ferozshah Kotla on Friday.

Delhi would’ve hoped for an inspiring start from Sehwag after electing to bat, but the out-of-favour India opener could manage only 12. He looked good, stroking two boundaries, till his Delhi-mate Ishant Sharma decided to end his stay.

But Sehwag wasn’t Delhi’s only problem. The rest of the batsmen failed miserably too.
For the record, the Daredevils have lost all their matches to date in this season of the IPL with the opening duo of David Warner and Unmukt Chand returning with partnerships of 0, 39 and 0.

 Only Kedar Jadhav, who is also a part of India’s probables list for the Champion Trophy, batted with some intent. He top-scored with an unbeaten 30 off 20 balls. Jadahav’s 30-run partnership for the sixth wicket with Irfan Pathan (23) was the highest for the hosts, which put on board the second lowest total of the season so far.

The Hyderabad bowlers, led by the lethal Dale Steyn, kept jolting the hosts with regular wickets by keeping a tight line and not giving any leeway. Steyn provided an ideal start, bowling a wicket-maiden to dismiss the in-form David Warner (0) in the fourth ball. He almost had Jayawardene (12) the next ball, but Parthiv Patel couldn’t hold on to a tough chance. Steyn (2/11), Thishara Perera (2/31) and Ishant Sharma (2/35) shared six wickets among them.

@dna