None could have seen that coming especially after a disastrous T20 World Cup – Yuvraj Singh struck form with a brilliant unbeaten half century, 52 not out.
None could have seen that coming especially after a disastrous T20 World Cup – Yuvraj Singh struck form with a brilliant unbeaten half century, 52 not out as he shared a brilliant 84 runs partnership with Virat Kohli to lead the Royal Challengers Bangalore to a comfortable 8-wicket win over the Delhi Daredevils at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium.
Yuvi who received criticism from some quarters for his slow batting in India’s loss against Sri Lanka in the recent World T20 Final in Bangladesh, began at a slow pace but one his feet set in, came to his own as the former hit three fours and five sixes in his 29-ball unbeaten knock.
The RCB rode the luck of their own as Virat Kohli was twice dropped by the Delhi fielders on to his score of 49.’Buddies’ off the field. the duo competed in hitting fours and sixes towards the end of their run chase. Also without the services of their star opener Chris Gayle, who was nursing a back problem, the Challengers reached the target with quite ease.
Earlier, the Delhi Daredevils had to depend on the quality knock provided by Protea, JP Duminy who took his side past 140 target. Put into bat, the Daredevils were at one stage, reduced to 35 for four in the eighth over but thanks to Duminy’s 67 not out, the Gary Kirsten-coached side managed a decent target on board.
Did Delhi miss the services of Kevin Pietersen? It quite seemed so with Dinesh Karthik who often looked puzzled and was found wanting with the bowling changes. But it’s still the start of the tournament and one can know that both the sides will have a say in the seventh season of the IPL.
