Yesterday’s IPL match should have been an interesting display of talent instead it proved to be a wash out with the Delhi Daredevils dominating throughout.I was backing the Deccan Chargers for two reasons,firstly,they belong to South India and secondly,they have some of my favorite players-Vaas,Gibbs and Gillchrist.But yet again,as if out to mock me,the team I supported lost.

Out to bat first was the beningn Laxman’s side.The top 4 batsmen failed to shine and it was upto Rohit sharma to take on the baton and show some strength.He propelled the Hyderabad team to a meagre 142 for the loss of 8 wickets.None of the other Chargers made an impact.

Batsmen Runs SR
Adam Gilchrist b M Asif 8 88.89
Venugopal Rao c S Dhawan b F Mahroof 14 63.64
VVS Laxman (c) b M Asif 2 33.33
Andrew Symonds c D Karthik b F Maharoof 12 92.31
Rohit Sharma c G McGrath b R Bhatia 66 183.33
Shahid Afridi lbw b R bhatia 2 28.57
Sanjay Bangar Run out (Tiwari) 8 57.14
Arjun Yadav c G Gambhir b Y Mahesh 12 171.43
Chaminda Vaas Not Out 12 200
RP Singh Not out 1 100
Pragyan Ojha - - -

A brilliant unbeaten 94 by the skipper Sehwag helped the daredevils reach the required target with ease and with 9 wickets intact.A particularly entertaining and embarrassing over for the Chargers was Symond’s when every alternate ball is smashed for a 6 and 4 by Sehwag.The match was over by the 13th over and left ample time for the Deccan Chargers to ponder over their dismal show.

Batsmen Runs SR
Gautam Gambhir c A Gilchrist b RP Singh 12 133.33
Virender Sehwag (c) Not Out 94 229.27
Shikhar Dhawan Not Out 25 89.2

The recent matches have proven that 20/20 is a completely different ball game.Veteran sportsmen have been failing and the “black horses” have taken over the arena.How this will affect the talent pool of cricket,only time will tell.