Virender Sehwag hammered a blistering 38-ball 74 before Chennai Super Kings recovered some lost ground to restrict Delhi Daredevils to 185 for six in their Indian Premier League match at Ferozeshah Kotla ground in New Delhi on Friday . Sehwag's blazing half-century was the cornerstone of Delhi's challenging total as the Nazafgarh marauder gave a scintillating start to the home side after winning the toss.
His 74-run knock was bejewelled with 10 fours and three sixes and dominated the partnerships he shared with his teammates. Delhi middle-order, however, crumbled after a super start before Rajat Bhatia (21) and Mithun Manhas (32 not out) played good hands down the order.
For Chennai, Muttiah Muralitharan (2/25) and Lakshmipathy Balaji (2/21) were the most successful bowlers. Muralitharan's twin wickets in the 12th over, in fact, brought Chennai back into the match. Earlier, Sehwag began with a bang, dispatching South African paceman Albie Morkel for two boundaries in the very first over.
Chennai's stand-in skipper Suresh Raina shuffled four different bowlers in the first four overs but there was no stopping Sehwag. The local hero welcomed Joginder Sharma with two boundaries and then lofted Balaji for a long-on six in the very first ball of his spell. PTI
