India

Warner inspires Delhi Daredevils win

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Raipur: Delhi Daredevils finally brought some cheer to their IPL-6 campaign, beating Pune Warriors by 15 runs in their second home ground at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Cricket Stadium here on Sunday.

Delhi are now level on points with Warriors, who were restricted to 149/4 on the day, with four points each, but have climbed off the bottom on net run rate.

Robin Uthappa and skipper Aaron Finch laid the foundation for the chase with a 78-run stand in 62 balls.

However, Irfan Pathan provided the first opening for Delhi, removing the duo in the 11th over.

Yuvraj Singh, 31 off 24, looked in good touch to play spoiler for the hosts but Umesh Yadav swung the match Daredevils way in the 18th over, giving away just two runs while also removing Luke Wright and Yuvraj.

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The equation, 37 off 18, changed to 35 off 12, too much finally for Pune’s batsmen.

Earlier, David Warner played an inspired 51-run knock in 25 balls in an otherwise out-of-sorts batting display by the Daredevils to help post a competitive 164/4. Warner struck four sixes and as many boundaries each to pull the team out of a difficult situation at 68/3 in the 11th over.

Ashoke Dinda (3/31) was the most successful bowler for the visitors.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar and IPL debutant Kane Richardson allowed Dardevils openers Virender Sehwag and skipper Mahela Jayawardene just 20 runs from the first 4 overs.

The first change brought success as Jayawardene’s uppish drive off Dinda’s first ball was taken neatly by Wright.

Unmukt Chand, returning to the XI after five games, tried some fancy strokes early on but settled down, giving his senior partner more of the strike in a crucial partnership.

Pune wicketkeeper Uthappa, after taking a sharp catch to send Chand back, hurt Delhi again with another brilliant catch behind the stumps to dismiss Ben Rohrer in the 14th over.

However, it was Warner, coming at two down who fashioned the turnaround.

Warner’s innings, despite little support from the other end, helped Delhi set a competitive total. Kedhar Jadhav (25 off 19) played his part in a 63-run stand with Warner that gave the total some substance.

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