Delhi Daredevils restored some pride with an upset 34-run win over the formidable Chennai Super Kings in a dead rubber of the Indian Premier League here tonight. Vijay Shankar (36* off 29) and Harshal Patel (36* off 16) scripted Daredevils’ recovery after a pedestrian performance from the top-order, helping the hosts reach 162 for five with an unbeaten 65-run stand off 32 balls.
Leg-spinners Amit Mishra (2/20) and Sandeep Lamichhane (1/21) then starred in an impressive bowling effort that restricted CSK to 128 for six. All-rounder Patel chipped in with the ball as well by taking the prized wicket of Ambati Rayudu (50 off 29).
It was Daredevils’ fourth win of the season in 13 games. The already eliminated team has one more game to play on Sunday. The unexpected loss was CSK’s fifth in 13 matches and they remain second on the points table.
CSK were cautious to begin with, collecting just 22 runs off the first five overs. Rayudu cut loose in the following over, smashing pacer Avesh Khan for 22 runs courtesy three sixes and a four. Rayudu, the team’s leading run scorer with 585 runs at 48.75, maintained his rich vein of form with his third fifty of the season.
Prasanta Patnaik