Photographs: IPL/Getty Images
Virender Sehwag got Delhi Daredevils off to a rousing start, slamming Albie Morkel for two boundaries over mid-off in the first over of the match.
All the Chennai Super Kings bowlers bore the brunt of his blade as the dashing opener brought up his half-century from just 22 deliveries with a double through the long-off region, in the sixth over from Justin Kemp.
Matthew Hayden blasted an entertaining 93 as Chennai Super Kings won the match by five wickets.
Using the evolutionary Mongoose bat, the former Australia ace was at his devastating best, smashing nine boundaries and seven sixes, in his 43-ball knock.
One that failed to go past Kemp
Image: Justin Kemp catches Sehwag on the boundaryPhotographs: IPL/Getty Images
But Kemp had his revenge when he pulled off an unbelievable catch on the boundary.
It was the great Muttiah Muralitharan who dealt Delhi a huge blow with the wicket of Sehwag. The right-hander, who smashed 74 from a mere 38 balls, inclusive of 10 boundaries and three sixes, went for a huge shot over long-off but couldn't clear Kemp, inches away from the boundary line, leapt high to bring off a one-handed catch.
Murali turns it for Chennai
Image: Muralitharan is congratulates by Kemp and teammatesPhotographs: IPL/Getty Images
It was Muralitharan who brought Chennai back in the hunt with two wickets in his third over.
First he claimed countryman T Dilshan. Frustrated after a sedate innings of 15 from 24 balls, Dilshan charged down the wicket and hit one straight to Suresh Raina at midwicket.
Two deliveries later, Muralitharan dealt Delhi another big blow with the wicket of Sehwag.
Balaji breakthrough
Image: Laxmipathy Balaji is congratulated by Raina and Hayden after dismissing WarnerPhotographs: IPL/Getty Images
It was Lakshmipathy Balaji who gave the Chennai side the breakthrough earlier. Despatched over long-on for a big six by Sehwag off his first delivery, the pacer did well to dismiss David Warner.
The Aussie batsman tried to hit across the line but ended up being caught at midwicket by Matthew Hayden after scoring only six, in the fourth over.
Manhas maintains the momentum
Image: Wicketkeeper Parthiv Patel watches Mithun Manhas guide the ball to the boundaryPhotographs: IPL/Getty Images
Mithun Manhas gave the Delhi innings the late push. He started off in blazing fashion, hitting two boundaries off the first three deliveries he faced.
He finished unbeaten on a good knock of 32 from 22 deliveries as Delhi scored at a good rate despite the regular fall of wickets.
Hayden hoists Chennai
Image: Matthew HaydenPhotographs: IPL/Getty Images
When Chennai Super Kings batted, it was Matthew Hayden all the way. The former Aussie ace blasted an entertaining 93 as Delhi Daredevils were outclassed by five wickets.
Hayden, using the evolutionary Mongoose bat, was at his devastating best as he smashed nine boundaries and seven sixes in his 43-ball knock.
After he was out, stand-in skipper Raina guided the team home with a sensible innings of 49 from 34 balls.
Comment
article