Tue, 12 Apr 2011 - IP Rajasthan vs IP Delhi, IPL 2011, 7th Match - Bulletin

Super Rajasthan score second win

Shane Warne knack of getting best of its players and make his side to play as a unit was evident again as Rajasthan defeated Delhi by six wickets to register their second win of the season in as many games.

There was no single outstanding performer that won the game for Rajasthan but a result of solid contributions by more than one player.

While it was man of the match Warne himself, Shaun Tait and Amit Singh in bowling department that limited Delhi to a gettable total, Rahul Dravid, Johan Botha and youngster Ashok Menaria were their batting stars who helped their team to chase down 152 runs successfully.

In the Pursuit of the target, Rahul Dravid while opening the batting showed that runs can be scored in a quick fashion off copy book style shots as well.

He unfurled some gorgeous drives and flick strokes to take game to the Delhi bowlers hitting half a dozen fours and a six in his classy 31-ball 38.

Early fall of his young opening partner Paunikar didn’t affect Dravid’s flow as he alongwith last match’s hero Johan Botha kept the scoreboard ticking over at a good pelt.

Once Dravid lost his wicket to van der Merwe, Botha and young left hander Ashok Menaria put on quick 31 for the 3rd wicket with most of them scored by Menaria.

He hit three big sixes in his 15-ball 22 and put Rajasthan ahead of the required rate before losing his wicket to Irfan Pathan who was put to cleaners by Rajasthan bowlers.

Botha had another useful partnership with Rahane to put his team ahead in the chase and rounded off the required runs in combination with Ross Taylor as both put on undefeated 31 for the fifth wicket.

Playing his second match winning innings on a trot, Botha remained not out on 39 off 32 balls including four boundaries to see his side through to victory.

Only fast bowler Morne Morkel was impressive from Delhi side as he gave away only 11 runs in his four overs and took a wicket.

Earlier Warne weaved magic with his leg-spin to dent Delhi batting effort in the middle after his countryman and fast bowler Shaun Tait had removed Virendar Sehwag and Aaron Finch cheaply having former pouched in the slips by Rahul Dravid in the first over.

Warne was getting the drift and turn and landed the ball in the right areas to remove Chand and Naman Ojha in the space of three deliveries to reduce Delhi 19 for the loss of four wickets.

There was a gutsy fightback from opener David Warner and Venugopal Rao which led Delhi to a respectable score.

Both took their time but exploded to play big shots once they got their eye in. Warner was very circumspect in the earlier stage of his innings with team’s dicey situation in his mind.

He found his range soon as smoked a big six off Tait and started to hit big shots when he realised there was a need to move on. He hit six fours and a six in his sensible yet aggressive 54 off 44 balls.

His partnership with Rao who played best innings of the match of 83 runs off 61 runs did gave Delhi bowlers something to bowl with. Rao’s sweet timing and use of footwork against spinners impressed one and all as he hit four sixes and as many fours on his way to 40-ball 60.

He played some glorious lofted drives over mid-off and cover region and timed the ball exquisitely on the leg side to give good account of himself.

Warne bowled another magic taking away two wickets and conceding only 17 runs while Amit Singh was the pick among the fast bowlers as he bowled tightly to give away only 18 runs in his four and did get a wicket as well.