Virender Sehwag (34-ball 75; 8×4, 5×6) powered Delhi Daredevils to a six-wicket victory over the Rajasthan Royals in Match 6 of the IPL 2010 on Monday.

Gautam Gambhir’s decision to bowl first was justified as Rajasthan Royals nosedived to 50 for four by the ninth over. Openers Swapnil Asnodkar and South African captain Graeme Smith had started well before Asnodkar was out to left-arm seamer Dirk Nannes. Naman Ojha then struck four fours and one six in his 14-ball 24 but was bowled by leg-spinner Amit Mishra.  Yusuf Pathan, who scored the fastest century in the three years of IPL against Mumbai Indians, lasted only five balls and was out for a duck in a huge blow to Rajasthan Royals.When Graeme Smith too departed, the writing was on the wall for the Rajasthan Royals.  Abhishek Jhunjhunwala (45-ball 53 not out) and Paras Dogra (29 off 26 balls) with a 60-run stand too Rajasthan Royals to a respectable total.

Delhi Daredevils however chased down the modest target of 142 in 17.1 overs. England medium-pacer Dimitri Mascarenhas’ double strike in the fourth over when he dismissed Delhi Daredevils’ skipper Gautam Gamhir (9) and TM Dilshan (0) raised hopes for Rajasthan. Mascarenhas could have had Sehwag when the batsman was on 41 but Shaun Tait failed to hold a skier at short fine leg. Sehwag capitalised on the costly lapse as the Indian opener smashed left-arm seamer A Uniyal for a 6, 4, 6 in the next over. Sehwag reached his 50 in 21 balls before getting out to a stunning catch by Graeme Smith.

This was Delhi Daredevils’ second successive win. Rajasthan Royals, IPL Champions in 2008, on the other hand suffered their second consecutive loss.

Match report courtesy Adfactors PR.