Daredevils Go Down to Deccan Chargers for Second Home Defeat

New Delhi: Delhi Daredevils' first win at home in season four of the Indian Premier League (IPL) remained elusive as they went down to Deccan Chargers by 16 runs at the Ferozeshah Kotla here Tuesday.

It was an all-round performance by Deccan Chargers, who climbed to the fourth spot in the IPL after their second win from five matches. The Daredevils failed to move out of the ninth spot as they witnessed their third loss in four matches.

For the Chargers, skipper Kumar Sangakkara showed the way with a classical, yet fiery, 49 and along with Man of the Match, Sunny Sohal (62) who added a valuable 92 runs for the second wicket that took the 2009 champions to a competitive 168 for four from 20 overs.

None of the Daredevils' batsmen, barring opener David Warner (51), could get a big score and were restricted to 152 for seven from 20 overs. The Chargers were disciplined in their bowling, picking up wickets at regular intervals and made sure that Daredevils skipper Virender Sehwag (12) departed early.

Pacers Daniel Christian and Harmeet Singh picked up two wickets each while fast bowling spearhead Dale Steyn went wicketless but conceded just 24 runs from his full quota to show that he is the vital cog in the Chargers' bowling.

Daredevils' most consistent performer Venugopal Rao (21) failed to come good and Yogesh Nagar struck an 11-ball 23 but it was not enough.

Warner's 48-ball knock was the only highlight of Daredevils innings. He hit five fours and a six but didn't get any support from the other end as the hosts failed to put up a decent partnership.

The only noteworthy partnership was the 52-run stand between Rao and Warner but once leggie Amit Mishra struck to remove Rao, it was a lonely and a futile battle for Warner.

Earlier, the 92-run second-wicket stand between Sohal and Sangakkara set the platform for a late charge by Cameron White, who remained unbeaten on 31 off 25 balls.

Delhi boy Shikhar Dhawan hit Ashok Dinda for two consecutive fours in the first over, but couldn't carry on the form as he chopped back to his stumps an away going delivery from Irfan Pathan in the second over.

Sohal and Sangakkara then joined forces to get the innings back on track. The left-handed Sangakkara played some classical shots in his 35-ball stay, during which he hit eight fours and a six.

The former Sri Lankan captain came down on off-spinner Shahbaz Nadeem, hitting him for a six and two fours for a 16-run over. Sohal also matched Sangakkara and hit eight fours and six during his 41-ball innings.

The partnership was finally broken by Dinda after Aaron Finch took an excellent catch to get rid of Sangakkara in the 12th over. Sohal also departed soon with Finch taking another good catch off Nadeem. Source: IANS