Delhi have it easy against Chennai

Rain and thunderstorm hit the Capital two hours before the start of play. The Feroz Shah Kotla ground staff put in extra work in order to make the outfield playable. Though the ground was completely suitable to start the game on time, the IPL officials waited half an hour as the earlier match in Bangalore, too, was delayed by close to 17 minutes.

When Delhi skipper Virender Sehwag asked Chennai to bat first, there was absolutely no doubt that batting first on this slippery ground would never be easy for the visitors. It proved right in the end as Delhi chased down Chennai’s paltry total of 110 in just 13.2 overs, losing just two wickets.

Contrary to Chennai who lost wickets at regular intervals, including four run-outs, Delhi’s innings provided a completely different picture. Openers Virender Sehwag and Naman Ojha set the tone from the word go. After the unfortunate departure of Ojha, Sehwag continued to attack with his typical hits and mishits.

When he perished in the sixth over, Delhi were sitting pretty on 50. It was left to the in-form Kevin Pietersen to take Delhi home with 40 balls to spare. Pietersen smashed 43 off just 26 deliveries.

Earlier, Chennai were in self-destruct mode, with none of the top-order batsmen making a significant contribution. Morne Morkel’s spell of 4-0-19-2 was a class act.

Brief scores: Chennai Super Kings 110/8 in 20 overs (D Bravo 22; M Morkel 2/19) lost to Delhi Daredevils 111/2 in 13.2 overs
(K Pietersen 43*, V Sehwag 33, M Jayawardene 20*; R Ashwin 1/21) by eight wickets