6:46pm Monday 15th March 2010
Hampshire captain Dimi Mascarenhas took two wickets in as many balls but could not prevent a second successive defeat for the Rajasthan Royals.
Rajasthan again left out Hampshire’s Michael Lumb and were limited to 141-6 by the Delhi Daredevils, with Mascarenhas run out for three, after losing the toss in Ahmedabad.
Delhi’s Virender Sehwag then struck a destructive half-century as Delhi secured a six-wicket victory. Sehwag smashed a ferocious 75 off 34 deliveries and Dinesh Karthik made an unbeaten 23 as the Daredevils eclipsed that target in 17.1 overs to hand the Royals.
Rajasthan’s innings began in blazing fashion but soon fizzled after a clatter of wickets.
Opener Swapnil Asnodkar (5) was felled by Dirk Nannes in the second over, number three Naman Ojha (24) departed immediately after hitting Amit Mishra for consecutive fours and a six and Graeme Smith (18) holed out in the deep after showing considerable intent.
The Royals suffered a further setback when Farveez Maharoof, who was smashed for 24 in his first two overs with the new ball, snared Yusuf Pathan for a five-ball duck.
Sehwag, a failure in the previous game against Kings XI Punjab, got the Daredevils' chase off to a fiery start, but Mascarenhas gave the Royals some hope by removing opener Gautam Gambhir (9) and Tillakaratne Dilshan with consecutive deliveries.
Sehwag was reprieved on 41 by Shaun Tait, reached his half-century off only 21 deliveries and added 25 more before Smith held a brilliant catch.
Sehwag's blitz left the Daredevils needing only 42 from the last 10 overs, but the wicket of AB de Villiers (15) provided another twist before the visitors reached their target with 17 balls remaining.
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