Delhi owned by Rajasthan

Royals win by six wickets in Indian Premier League.

JAIPUR:

A controlled chase with significant contributions from Johan Botha and Rahul Dravid propelled Rajasthan Royals to a six-wicket win over Delhi Daredevils in the Indian Premier League (IPL).

Botha hit an unbeaten 39 off 32 balls and Dravid made 38 as Rajasthan chased down Delhi’s 152-run target in the 19th over. The innings was in stark contrast to Delhi, where the score was dominated by David Warner and Venugopal Rao.

Opener Warner blasted 54 off 44 deliveries and Rao provided the final impetus with a 40-ball 60 but the failure of the other batsmen ensured that the target was within the reach of Rajasthan. Shane Warne, Royals’ captain, claimed two for 17.

And there were few worries in the chase and though wickets fell, Rajasthan were always in control as Dravid and Botha kept the run-rate in check. Ross Taylor hit 18 off 10 balls as Rajasthan opened their account in the competition.

Kolkata defeat Deccan Chargers after scare

Led by Jacques Kallis, hosts Kolkata Knight Riders survived a scare to beat Deccan Chargers by nine runs in the other IPL match.

Kallis hit a fluent 53 off 45 deliveries as Kolkata set up a competitive 163-run target before the bowlers restricted Deccan in their chase.

The right-handed South African hit seven fours and a six, putting on 51 with the other opener Manvinder Bisla. He was dismissed at the score of 90 but a late flourish by Manoj Tiwary and Yusuf Pathan ensured Kolkata crossed the 150-mark with 30 runs coming off the last three overs.

Any attempt of over-hauling Kolkata’s total was jolted by Abdulla who dismissed opener Ishank Jaggi in the third over before a run-out reduced Deccan to 15 for two.

Sri Lankan Kumar Sangakkara tried to stabilise the innings with Bharat Chipli before Bhatia sent them both back to the pavilion. The innings never really recovered even though Ravi Teja added 36 in 16 deliveries with Daniel Christian to take the score to 124 for five.

Abdulla dismissed Christian for 25 and with 40 required off the last 20 deliveries, the task proved to be an uphill one. Jaidev Unadkat, bowling the last over off which 20 were required, gave away 10 as Kolkata registered their first win in the tournament.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 13^th,  2011.