… Kochi Tuskers Kerala keep their playoff prospects alive
(REUTERS) – Virender Sehwag destroyed Deccan Chargers with a blistering 119 to engineer Delhi Daredevils’ four-wicket victory in the Indian Premier League yesterday.
The Delhi captain, dropped twice, smashed 13 fours and six sixes in his 56-ball knock as his team chased down the 176-run victory target with one over to spare.
Useful knocks by JP Duminy (55) and skipper Kumar Sangakkara (44) had earlier powered Deccan Chargers to a decent 175-5 but the day belonged to Sehwag, who toyed with the home side’s attack.
Their fourth victory in 10 matches put Delhi on seventh place with eight points, ahead of Deccan who have six.
In Hyderabad, Brad Hodge’s late burst made all the difference as Kochi Tuskers Kerala kept their playoff prospects alive with a 17-run victory against Kolkata Knight Riders.
Put in to bat, Kochi lost opener Brendon McCullum in the second over before Mahela Jayawardene’s 55 steadied the innings.
Australian Hodge’s unbeaten 35 off just 19 balls, including 21 runs off the last over sent down by compatriot Brett Lee, took the home side to 156-5.
Kolkata, who now sit second in the standings with 12 points from 10 matches, seemed to be cruising to victory with openers Eoin Morgan (66) and Jacques Kallis (45) on song but Kochi’s Raiphi Gomez had other ideas.
The pace bowler removed Kallis and captain Gautam Gambhir off successive deliveries to unhinge Kolkata who could manage only 139-7 in the end. Kochi lie fifth with 10 points from as many matches.