In the lead up-to their IPL 2015 match against Kings XI Punjab in Pune on Wednesday, Delhi Daredevils were facing the longest losing streak in IPL history - 11 defeats.
.jpeg)
Yuvraj Singh was also facing another barrage of criticism following insignificant performances in Daredevils' previous two losses. So when Kings XI Punjab, defending 165 for 7 on a slow wicket at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium, had reduced the visitors to 53 for 2, Daredevils desperately needed Yuvraj to fire. The left-hander did not disappoint his team and scored a 39-ball 55 in a five-wicket win in 19.5 overs, Delhi's first of the season.
Not just Yuvraj, a lot of credit also goes to Mayank Agarwal, who despite losing Shreyas Iyer (6) and JP Duminy (21) at the other end, kept his cool and made 68, adding 106 runs off 66 balls with Yuvraj. Agarwal played quite a few shots but one hook off Mitchell Johnson in the 15th over for six was nothing short of breathtaking. That was a big statement of intent.
Yuvraj and Agarwal stole the show but the win was actually set up by the Daredevils spinners, especially Duminy whose wickets of Virender Sehwag, Kings XI Punjab's highest scorer with 47, and David Miller went a long way towards keeping the home team at least 20 runs short.The pitch showed its slow side early into the Kings XI Punjab innings, as a result of which Sehwag had to change his style and it paid dividends as the former India opener made his highest score in IPL 2015 after George Bailey won the toss and decided to bat.
Sehwag, who scored 38 against Mumbai Indians in the last match, used his huge experience and mitigated the big threat posed by leg spinners Imran Tahir and Amit Mishra. The 36-year-old, who had difficulties dealing with Nathan Coulter-Nile and Dominic Joseph in the first four overs, provided spring to the innings in the eighth over by hitting Tahir for a six and two fours.
Yuvraj Singh was also facing another barrage of criticism following insignificant performances in Daredevils' previous two losses. So when Kings XI Punjab, defending 165 for 7 on a slow wicket at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium, had reduced the visitors to 53 for 2, Daredevils desperately needed Yuvraj to fire. The left-hander did not disappoint his team and scored a 39-ball 55 in a five-wicket win in 19.5 overs, Delhi's first of the season.
Not just Yuvraj, a lot of credit also goes to Mayank Agarwal, who despite losing Shreyas Iyer (6) and JP Duminy (21) at the other end, kept his cool and made 68, adding 106 runs off 66 balls with Yuvraj. Agarwal played quite a few shots but one hook off Mitchell Johnson in the 15th over for six was nothing short of breathtaking. That was a big statement of intent.
Yuvraj and Agarwal stole the show but the win was actually set up by the Daredevils spinners, especially Duminy whose wickets of Virender Sehwag, Kings XI Punjab's highest scorer with 47, and David Miller went a long way towards keeping the home team at least 20 runs short.The pitch showed its slow side early into the Kings XI Punjab innings, as a result of which Sehwag had to change his style and it paid dividends as the former India opener made his highest score in IPL 2015 after George Bailey won the toss and decided to bat.
Sehwag, who scored 38 against Mumbai Indians in the last match, used his huge experience and mitigated the big threat posed by leg spinners Imran Tahir and Amit Mishra. The 36-year-old, who had difficulties dealing with Nathan Coulter-Nile and Dominic Joseph in the first four overs, provided spring to the innings in the eighth over by hitting Tahir for a six and two fours.
No comments:
Post a Comment