IPL: Delhi Completes Double Over Rajasthan

Delhi Daredevils completed the double over Rajasthan Royals in yet another commanding display at the Sawai Mansingh stadium in Jaipur. Virender Sehwag once again walloped an opposition bowling attack to guide his team to a facile win.

Choosing to bat first, Rajasthan got off to yet another flier as the pair of Rahane and Dravid put the DD bowlers to the sword. Rahane kept flaying the bowlers and Dravid kept feeding him the strike. The introduction of the left arm spin twins Pawan Negi and Nadeem brought some control of the proceedings for Sehwag. An ill-timed dismissal of Rahane was followed by that of the big gun Watson, who made his first appearance in this year’s edition. Owais Shah, Hodge and Menaria followed soon as the RR innings got derailed thanks to the steady lines bowled by Negi. Dravid got bowled by Morkel for 57, as the Royals ended at a below par score of 141. Negi finished with 4 wickets for 18 runs.

Rajasthan were looking for early wickets and they got exactly that when Ankit Chavan trapped Jayawardena lbw in the first over. Thereafter, Pietersen joined forces with Sehwag and the two set about destroying the Rajasthan attack. Sehwag continued in his record breaking ways and he became the first batsman in T20 cricket to get five consecutive half centuries. He was particularly severe on Pankaj Singh, and even the introduction of Watson into the attack did not make any difference to the run scoring. Pietersen scored 36 runs in his final innings in IPL 2012, while Sehwag got dismissed by Hogg for 73 in 38 balls. Delhi chased down the target with 28 balls and 6 wickets to spare. Ross Taylor failed yet again, and with KP leaving for home, the Delhi middle order does not look as strong now as it has been through the tournament. With Warner coming into the side, a Jayawardena may slide down the order in the coming matches.