14 May,2009 07:59 AM IST | | Iqbal Khan
Delhi Daredevils all-rounder Bhatia delighted to scalp Symonds at first sight
When Deccan Chargers were running away with the game against Delhi Daredevils under the Kingsmead light last night, Delhi skipper Virender Sehwag was in a real fix as to whom to bowl at that crucial juncture. Rajat Bhatia of Delhi Daredevils celebrates with teammates their 12-run win over Deccan Chargers yesterday. pic/AFP
Cruise mode
Sehwag threw the ball to statemate Rajat Bhatia. At 149-3, the Chargers were in cruise mode, but the young seamer struck some telling blows to change the picture dramatically. Chargers lost five wickets for six runs in a matter of a few overs before they sank to 161 all out to lose the tie by 12 runs.
Andrew Symonds (41), Dwayne Smith (1), Venugopal Rao (1), RP Singh (0), Pragyan Ojha (0) and Shoaib Maqsusi (0) were sent packing as the Chargers crashed.u00a0 Undoubtedly, Symonds was the key scalp and the Queenslander was shocked to see his furniture in total disarray after scoring 41.
"I had never bowled to (Andrew) Symonds before. This was the first time in my career that I had seen him this closely. But then, my captain had the confidence to give me the ball and it was up to me to get the man out. I mixed it up with slower deliveries before I struck gold. When Symonds was dismissed, I grew in confidence," an upbeat Bhatia said after the match.
"I'm so glad that I contributed to our team's win. It's pleasing to take four wickets in the innings, but winning the game is greater than anything else."
Delhi Daredevils' 12-run win helped them maintain their No 1 spot on the table. Bhatia's exploits notwithstanding, Pradeep Sangwan was the man who started it all for the Daredevils after he sent T Suman (3) back early in the innings before adding Rohit Sharma (6) and then the big fish, Gilchrist, to finish with 3-18 off four overs.
Dramatic collapse
Then came the dramatic Bhatia-induced collapse. Gilchrist set Kingsmead alight with his 64. He struck 27 off nine balls from the first two overs with five fours and a six before fellow Aussie Symonds nudged Chargers closer to the 174-run target set by the Daredevils earlier in the day.
It was a memorable return from a team point of view for Sehwag, who missed the last few games because of a finger injury. However, he made only 11 off 10 balls.u00a0
"It's great to be three points clear at the top of the table," Sehwag said after the win.
"It's also nice to be back in action. Now that we have leeway at the top, we need to carry the momentum through to the last week of the tournament. We are not thinking of the semi-finals, but will take each game as it comes."
