Cricket Tournaments

Team India with the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 Trophy

It was a contest befitting of a World Cup finale, and a victory that a billion countrymen would cherish and relive for the rest of their lives. Sri Lanka played hard and tough – they were sublime at times (read Mahela Jayawardene) and at times deadly (read Lasith Malinga). Still, India managed to garner enough courage to recover from adversity even on the day that mattered the most en route to ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 glory. It will be a day that will be etched in the memory of cricket loving Indian public till time immemorial. Here’s a relook at the big moments that made the final.

Toss confusion

This had to make an appearance for it was the first instance in the World Cup final wherein the toss had to be held twice. Apparently, there was so much noise and buzz around the Wankhede Stadium that Sri Lankan skipper Kumar Sangakkara’s call just couldn’t be heard. The second time around it almost needed a roar from Sangakkara to ensure that he was heard loud and clear. Lanka won it and, with it, augmented their chances of victory.

Zaheer Khan stands tall again

It was arguably the best spell in a Cricket World Cup final and erased the bad memories of an overenthusiastic Zaheer Khan’s atrocious opening burst in the 2003 final against Australia. The left-arm seamer, who ended up as the joint leading wicket-taker in the tournament alongside Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi, was magnificent in his opening spell, bowling a perfect line and length and was duly rewarded with the wicket of Upul Tharanga. The pressure of the occasion clearly got to the in-form Lankan opener. But, to be fair to him, Zaheer was unplayable in his opening spell, and his figures of five overs for six runs with three maidens aptly reflected it. The ball was doing enough for Zaheer and, using all his experience, he kept the Lankans on a tight leash throughout. Thanks to Zaheer, round one clearly went to India.

Sangakkara-Jayawardene join forces

For the umpteenth time, it was Mahela Jayawardene and Kumar Sangakkara who rebuilt the innings amidst a mini crisis. Following Tharanga’s dismissal they seemed to have recovered well enough courtesy a good partnership between Tillakaratne Dilshan and Sangakkara and some wayward bowling by surprise choice S. Sreesanth. However, just when they seemed to be on the up, Harbhajan Singh struck. He was lucky to get Dilshan bowled round the wicket. From there onwards, Sri Lanka’s two most experienced batsmen took it upon themselves to do the repair job. And they did a wonderful job, rotating the strike at ease and managing to find the boundary whenever the opportunity presented itself. It wasn’t anything new for them as they had done it time and time again in the past. But, this was the World Cup final and they were rising to the occasion.

Yuvraj’s strikes bring India back

Yet again, it was Yuvraj Singh’s left arm spin that brought India back in the game when Lanka seemed to be getting the upper hand. He bowled an innocuous delivery outside the off stump, which managed to find the edge of Sangakkara’s bat, two short of the latter’s half-century. And when another partnership between Jayawardene and Thilan Samaraweera began to threaten, it was again Yuvraj who broke the threatening partnership, trapping Samaraweera in front of the wickets, URDS coming to India’s rescue again.

Jayawardene’s sublime counter attack

At the fall of Samaraweera’s wicket Lanka were back in a spot of bother. However, Jayawardene responded with a splendid counter attacking innings, finding the boundaries at will and striking two awesome partnerships, first with Nuwan Kulasekara and then Thisara Perera. Both the batsmen played their part too striking some crucial big blows even as Jayawardene was caressing the ball all around the park. The power play overs really saw Lanka take their game to a different level. Ironically, Zaheer who was exceptional in his opening spell, was the one who was taken to the cleaners as Lanka ended their innings on a marvelous high.

Malinga silences Wankhede

In spite of the Lankan counter attack, the large gathering of Indian fans at Wankhede Stadium were hopeful of some fireworks from the explosive Virender Sehwag and of course the master Sachin Tendulkar. However, all it took was two deliveries to silence the noisy crowd. Lasith Malinga trapped Sehwag plumb in front as the latter failed to get bat on a fast, inswinging delivery and was accompanied back to the dressing room by a second ball-duck. Sachin Tendulkar looked untroubled during his stay at the crease, but it was only a brief relief. The pressure seemed to get the better of the big man too as he flirted with an away going delivery from Malinga and nicked it behind the stumps. The ball only just carried to Sangakkara, but it was enough to spark off wild celebrations in the Lankan camp.

Delhi boys rebuild

Lanka were firm favourites once the two Ss departed. However, as Naseer Hussain had commented after the finale of the Natwest Trophy in 2002, “This Indian batting just keeps coming at you.” Nothing much has changed nearly a decade later as Gautam Gambhir and Virat Kohli went about their job brick by brick. It was partnership that has defined Indian cricket in recent years. The ‘never give up’ attitude of the Delhi boys kept India in the hunt. A striking feature of their partnership was the ease with which they rotated the strike under pressure and always ensured that the run rate stayed under control. However, just when they seemed to be getting on top, Kohli fell to a brilliant return catch by Dilshan to even out the game.

The captain takes it away

How often have we heard… ‘Cometh the hour, cometh the man.’ On Saturday, with the pressure reaching fever pitch, M S Dhoni walked into bat ahead of the in-form Yuvraj Singh to the surprise of many. But how well he played! In the company of a defiant Gambhir, Dhoni ran like a hare between wickets until both grabbed their backs and decided to take it a little easy. And once he got his eye in, Dhoni clubbed the bowlers like only the man from Ranchi can do. The ease with which Gambhir and Dhoni chased down the target saw the Lankan heads fall steadily, and the formalities were completed pretty soon. It was a fitting end to the game as Dhoni smacked Kulasekara out of the ground to clinch the trophy for India.

There were a couple of major disappointments on both sides. Jayawardene did everything right during his innings and yet ended up on the losing side. On the other hand, Gambhir fell tantalising short of a century. But, as Dhoni said post match, he had only himself to blame. Keeping personal glory aside though, it was a team that deserved to win the World Cup for the manner in which they overcame once challenge after the other.

The World cup is only half way through but the way the teams have gone thus far tells you a lot about what is to come.

Group A has panned out as expected, the International teams have decimated the Associates. Canada, Zimbabwe and Kenya have only ratified the ICC’s decision of streaming down the number of teams for the next world cup down under. Kenya have been the most impressive of the Associate teams as far as Group A is concerned, improving considerably with every game.

Here is a look at how the top 4 teams have gone (Group A) and what lies ahead:

Australia

- The defending champions came into the tournament on the back of a drubbing that they offered the Poms after an embarrassing defeat in the Ashes. Australia have a lot of things going for them this tournament, decent batting order, potent attack and fabulous fielders.

- However, a few obvious gaping holes do lie in between. Their batting has been suspect this tournament, despite the 320 odd that they scored against the Kenyans. Both the openers have looked sublime but the middle order has not been able to keep the score board ticking. Michael Clarke was an exception today, but, Ricky Ponting and Cameron White have been in woeful touch with the bat. Ponting has still snuck through but White’s form has been real cause for concern.

- On the positive note, Michael Hussey has returned to the Australian side giving the batting much needed potency in the middle order. Hussey always seems to have a calming influence about himself that invariably rubs of on his peers.

- All the talk about the Australian bowling being the best in the tournament, the three pronged pace attack looked ordinary against Kenya and could be exposed against better oppositions in the quarter finals if they fail to hit their lengths. Having said this, I personally do believe that if the bowlers hit their straps soon, the oppositions may be in for some contest. Add to this, their bowling has the best strike rate across all teams this world cup. Australia’s bowling should improve over the next week.

Sri Lanka

- The last time the World cup was staged in the sub continent, it was the Lankan tigers who walked away with the trophy. Arjuna Ranatunga inspired the Rest of the World as he enabled Sri Lanka announce themselves on the World stage.

- 15 years later, the World cup is back in the sub continent and you would not bet against the Lankans, they are wily at home and looked determined like never before. Muttiah Muralidaran is sure to hang his boots up with the closure of this tournament and would look to bring home the cup after 15 elusive years.

- The Lankan top order looks solid, with Tillakaratne Dilshan taking them of to blazing starts on a regular basis. Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene provide the perfect foil in the middle order. It is their lower order batting that is a little questionable, Angelo Mathews does not look good enough to provide the impetus at the fag end of the innings on a consistent basis. They rely on other bits and pieces cricketers in Thisara Perera and co to do the job.

- Nevertheless, you cannot discount them. Just a reminder, Sanath Jayasuriya was an unknown commodity too in 1996, so you never know with the Lankans.

- Their bowling seems very steady with Lasith Malinga and Muralidaran leading the pack. Sri Lanka should make the semi finals and stand a very good chance this tournament if they can sort out their late order batting.

Pakistan

- The only consistent thing with Pakistan is inconsistency. On paper they look a very balanced unit, one that opposition teams must really take seriously. But which Pakistan you get on the day, can never be told. It is a well documented fact, Pakistan on their day can beat the chickens out of their opponents.

- They have looked impressive this tournament barring the outing against New Zealand where they threw away their position of strength and ended up being battered like one of the minnows.

- A steady top order lead by Younis Khan and Misbah ul Haq is followed by a flamboyant middle order in Umar Akmal and Shahid Afridi with Abdul Razzaq providing the finishing touch. Perhaps the most efficient lower middle order across all teams, Pakistan is sure a team to watch out for.

- The bowling complements their batting perfectly, 2 front line seamers backed by a steady Razzaq and useful spinners in Afridi and Rehman to do the job. However, Pakistan’s biggest issue for many years now, has been their fielding. The fielding fails to give teeth to the bowling and they tend to put down a couple of catches, least, every match.

- Contenders this year, if only they can shave of the slack and unprofessionalism, Pakistan may just do what they did in 1992.

New Zealand

- New Zealand, workman like, have been very industrious in the way they have gone about things. Nothing flashy in their cricket, steady and stable.

- One feels for New Zealand, with a population under 50 lacs, it must be hard to find full time professional cricketers.

- It has to be Brendon McCullum and Ross Taylor who have got to do the bulk of the job with the bat, if New Zealand stand any chance this world cup. Daniel Vettori, by far is their most proficient and experienced player.

- A lot of things have to go wrong for other teams and a lot right for NZ if they have to proceed any further than the quarters this World cup.

- The lack of a game changers with both bat and ball is a huge problem for the Kiwis. They will have to make do without them or hope young guns in Martin Guptill and Kane Williamson come to the fort.
- A good side in decent form but may find it difficult to proceed ahead of the quarter finals.

Kumar Sangakkara is rated as one of the world’s best batsmen and is a joy to watch when he is in full flow. However, his credentials off late have not been great in ODIS and in fact it is only in Tests that he has been able to score a lot of runs. This is a worry for Sri Lanka and a question rises whether Sangakkara should quit wicketkeeping in ODIS as well, so that he can focus on his batting and leadership.

The Sri Lankan skipper scored his first ODI century since June 2008, against New Zealand today in Mumbai. This is certainly a long gap for a player of his calibre. Ever since he has taken over captaincy in June 2009, Sangakkara has scored just nine fifties. Fortunately, Sri Lanka have won more than they have lost but that is due to the likes of the resurgent Tillakratne Dilshan and Sangakkara’s ever-reliable predecessor Mahela Jayawardene in terms of batting. Their form could also dip and with his balanced style of batting at No.3, Sangakkara has to take responsibility of scoring runs consistently like he used to previously.

However, his fortunes are the reverse in Tests. He is no more wicket-keeping and that has worked. Sangakkara has been able to focus on his batting and as a result, he was declared the Worlds No.1 Test batsman for the first time in December 2010. Besides his batting suits Sri Lanka in Tests, since they need someone to stabilize the innings and create big partnerships with middle-order batsmen such as Mahela Jayawardene and Thilan Samaraweera.

He needs to pull up his socks in ODIS and play in the manner that he did today, more often. Sri Lanka needs his runs as well, especially in situations when the team is in trouble while batting and that too chasing in the Indian subcontinent. Now only if Sangakkara can convert his 40s and 50s into big hundreds, then Sri Lanka would not have to rely on their bowlers every time to win them matches.

Sangakkara celebrates after scoring his century

Sri Lanka crushed New Zealand to run home winners with an easy win at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. Sri Lanka won by 112 runs after scoring 265 in their 50 overs and ensured that they would end the group in the top two positions. Kumar Sangakkara was named the man of the match for his century.

Sri Lanka won the toss and decided to bat first. The decision was prompted by the high temperatures in Mumbai and the 2.30 pm start, which would have made fielding difficult to begin with. However, the decision seemed to have backfired at one stage when the side lost two wickets before even getting to 20 in the fifth over.

It was then, the partnership between Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene that rescued the side. Jayawardene should have probably been given out when he accorded a catch back to the bowler but the third umpire decided to give the Lankan batsman a benefit of the doubt.

From there, Sangakkara went on to get a century whereas Jayawardene made a 66 to ensure that the side would get to a big total. In fact, at 210/3 in the 42^nd over, one felt that 300 was achievable but there was a collapse that saw the side losing their last six wickets for 55 runs in the last eight overs or so.

However, that proved to be enough as none of the New Zealand batsmen could get to more than what Ross Taylor got – 33. There were a couple of 20s and a 13, 14 and a 19 but the wily bowling from Muthiah Muralitharan meant that the side was left with too much to get once the wickets started falling.

Muralitharan, who was suffering from a hamstring strain, bowled his eight overs for 25 but most importantly, took four wickets. He was difficult to read for the opponents and this was despite the ball not turning due to the dew in the outfield.

The win for Sri Lanka meant that they finish with nine points from their games. New Zealand ended with eight points. Australia and Pakistan play against each other and have nine and eight respectively, which means that if Australia win, the top four will be led by them and followed by Sri Lanka, New Zealand and Pakistan. If Pakistan go on to win the game, the Pakistanis will lead the group, followed by Sri Lanka, Australia and New Zealand.

In the other group, South Africa have eight points from five, India have seven from five, England have seven from six, West Indies have six from five whereas Bangladesh have six from five as well. Bangladesh play South Africa while India play West Indies in the last two games of the group which will decide which four teams go through and at what position.

Kumar Sangakkara

Momentum hasn’t made its presence felt at the ongoing tri-series in Sri Lanka. It has either been everything or nothing for all the three teams in each of the games. Keeping that in mind, there will be no favoured team as such when India take on Sri Lanka in yet another series final on Saturday. Whatever the result, both teams, as well as the spectators from both nations will heave a sigh of relief that the two teams won’t face each other very soon after this summit clash.

The Lankans may seem to have the slight advantage since they are playing at home, and also from the fact that their team wears a more balanced look compared to their familiar opponents. Unfortunately, though, recent history goes against them as the Indians have upstaged them in two tournaments in the last year or so. And thus, the home team will be keen to set the record straight this time round.

A glance at the two teams and the Lankans would definitely feel more confident this time round. They will be playing an injury-free side, with most of the players in form as well. After all, they upset India by a huge margin in their last game. A blessing in disguise for the Lankans is that Tillakaratne Dilshan hasn’t fired to the best of his potential as yet. The home team will be hoping he has reserved his best for the last. A lot can be expected from the experienced duo of Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene. If they fire, the lower order will become doubly dangerous.

Special mention needs to be made of the two all-rounders in the Lankan side. Angelo Mathews and Thisara Perera – one a batting all-rounder and the other a bowling – lend enviable balance to the line up. What’s more Perera will be on a high following his five-for against the same opponent in the last league game, and while Mathews is yet to make a genuine impression, with his versatile skill, one is more or less assured that he can contribute in some manner or the other. The script only gets more pleasing as even Chamara Silva impressed in the one chance he got.

The bowling should be the last of Lanka’s worries at the moment. With Nuwan Kulasekara, Lasith Malinga and Suraj Randiv preceding Mathews and Perera and all three among the wickets, skipper Sangakkara should be feeling highly assured of a good show. And so, if everything falls into place for them on the d-day, India could be in for a tough time.

Virender Sehwag

Shifting focus to India, there need to be thankful to Virender Sehwag, who has somehow managed to keep India afloat in the series. With two match-winning scores, one while chasing (very unlike Sehwag) and the other while setting a target, the Delhi dynamo has been India’s one man army with the bat so far. The positive for the Lankans is that Sehwag is due for a failure, if they want to look at it that way. But then, with the maverick Indian opener, the law of averages theory doesn’t work, so there is no guarantee of what Sehwag will dish out on the day. One thing is for sure though, he won’t die wondering.

What Sehwag desperately needs is some support from the other end. It would be unfair to blame Dinesh Karthik for his failures since is just a makeshift and is trying to do a job for his team. However, India cannot afford to lose quick wickets in the final as well. Also, it is important for them to abandon the part-time theory and look for proper opening batsmen, may be someone like a Murli Vijay in case Sachin, Sehwag and Gambhir are absent, at least when the ball is moving around.

Another worrying aspect about the Indians has been the performance of their young batsmen. While Virat Kohli can be excused considering he hasn’t had a permanent spot of late, the same cannot be said of Rohit Sharma and Ravindra Jadeja. Despite being given ample opportunities, and a somewhat unfairly long run considering there are other youngsters around, they haven’t lived up to the potential. Jadeja has been decent with the bat but hasn’t proved worthy of a number seven till date. Sharma, on the other hand, is just not learning from the mistakes, which is a most worrisome aspect as far as India is concerned.

Rather ironically, the bowling has fared better, but that has had more to do with the conditions. Still Praveen Kumar’s early strikes in most of the games has given the bowling attack a potent look. Further, Ashish Nehra and Ishant Sharma too have contributed, and Munaf Patel’s success against the Kiwis could mean that he could be risked in the final, which would mean a four-pronged pace attack again.
All said and done, one only hopes that the conditions don’t play an overtly important role in determining the result, and also that the series of one-sided games is brought to a halt.

The in-form Kevin Pietersen celebrated the birth of his first child in great style. He lead England into the finals of the T20 World Cup with a typically aggressive 42 not out, as his side chased down a modest target of 129 set by Sri Lanka, who batted first after Kumar Sangakkara called correctly in the first semi-final.

It was disappointing overall batting effort from the Lankans, but for a fighting 58 from Angelo Mathews. However, against a rampant England batting order it was far from enough. Craig Kieswetter and Michael Lumb got their team off to a whirlwind start, blast 68 for the opening wicket in eight overs. Pietersen then carried forward the momentum and finished the game off in a hurry with his 26-ball knock.

Before Pietersen’s bravado though it were the bowlers who set up with the win for the Englishmen with a controlled yet penetrative effort. The seamers as well the pacers were equally impressive and never ever allowed the Lankans to get away.

Things began disastrously as Ryan Sidebottom forced the totally out of sorts Sanath Jayasuriya to nick a well-pitched outswinger to a gleeful Paul Collingwood in the slips. A restless Tillakaratne Dilshan, also out of form, tehn perished trying to hit out against Tim Bresnan, but only managing to loop the ball high up in the air.

Lanka had hardly snailed past 20 when their big hope Mahela Jayawardene was undone by Stuart Broad, beaten for pace and caught behind the wickets.

Kumar Sangakkara had already arrived at the crease, but the pressure was immense even for the level-headed Lankan captain. His side was down in the dumps at 38 for the loss of their top three batsmen at the end of the Powerplay overs.

With the introduction of spin, Sangakkara saw an opening to relieve the pressure. However, very soon England were celebrating once again as Sangakkara, in an effort to loft Graeme Swann, ended up gifting a dolly at mid-off, which was accepted by Pietersen.

Amidst the carnage, only Mathews kept a still head and guided Lanka to a score in the region of respectability. Known for his big shots, he was prepared to rotate the strike and, only occasionally hit out, emphasizing his maturity as a cricketer. Even when he played the lofted shot, he ensured it was with a straight bat, like the six he took off Swann’s bowling.

If Lanka thought they had a slight opening to get away, England ensured the reverse happened. Their pacers resorted to the use of the slow bouncer smartly, and everyone, including Mathews, struggled. And, soon the wickets started falling again. Broad ended Chamara Kapugedera’s frustration out in the middle by getting him to mistime one.

A 17-run over by Bresnan, including three wides, helped Lanka cross 120, and also gave them some momentum going into the break. However, it wasn’t to last for long.

After a couple of quiet overs delivered by the spinning combo of Dilshan and Ajantha Mendis, England’s openers went on the attack. Kieswetter did not allow Suraj Randiv to settle, slogging him for successive boundaries in an over, and later slammed Mathews for a maximum on the off side.

His partner Michael Lumb, meanwhile, was lucky to get off to a start. He should have been back in the pavilion early on when following a mix-up, which left him stranded midway down the pitch, but a nervy Mendis couldn’t gather a simple throw.

Soon, he was dropped by a diving Nuwan Kulasekera at mid-off and even the normally brilliant Jayawardene sent a wayward throw when a simple, well-directed one would have had the batsmen well short of the ground.

Lanka did manage to dismiss both, but by then the game was out of their grasps. Both the openers had made merry and blasted Jayasuriya for a six each befor Lasith Malinga’s deadly yorker knocked over Kieswetter.

Lumb threw his wicket away for 33, moving across the stumps and trying to hit Thissara Perera against the line. Collingwood perished in a hurry to finish things, but daddy Pietersen made sure England cruised to their first ICC final in six years.

It was a game India could have won even though they might not have made it to the semi-finals.

Instead, they fumbled yet again, this time against familiar opponents Sri Lanka to lose by a comprehensive five-wicket margin and get knocked out of the T20 World Cup in a rather embarrassing manner – ending up as the only team in the Super Eights not to win a single game.

The script looked a lot different for India at the start of the game, when upon winning the toss, India elected to bat. Ninety runs were smashed in the initial 10 overs despite the early loss of Dinesh Karthik thanks in main to Suresh Raina, who looked more at home on the slowish track at St. Lucia.

However, the Lankans fought back excellent in the slog overs to restrict India to a disappointing 163 for 5, only 73 runs coming in the second half of the innings.

Sri Lanka’s reply did not begin emphatically, but they won the crucial moments and stayed in the hunt till the very end to pip India at the post.

The reply was built on three significant contributions, none more crucial than the skipper Kumar Sangakkara, who led the Lankan fightback.

The other equally important knocks came from Angelo Mathews (46) and Chamara Kapugedera (37), who hit a last-ball six to seal the semi-final birth for his side.
At the closing stages, Sri Lanka needed 25 runs from an over and two deliveries left. But Kapugedera slammed a nervous debutant Vinay Kumar for two massive sixes, both over long on – the first of which knocked India out of the tournament – to bring the game back on a even keen.

The experienced Ashish Nehra was entrusted with the responsibility of bowling the final over, but had a rare off day and could not prevent the Lankans from getting the requisite 13 runs.

Mathews slashed a six off the first ball, and despite Nehra hitting back by running him out hit, Lanka managed to loft themselves to victory thanks to a smashing six over cover by Kapugedera.

While Mathews and Kapugedera did all the big hitting, it was Sangakkara who began the turnaround for Sri Lanka by lofting Harbhajan Singh over the top in the 12th over.

This was after Mahela Jayawardene and Sanath Jayasuriya fell early and Tillakaratne Dilshan perished after a breezy cameo. Sangakkara went on register a crucial 44, which included two sixes off Yusuf Pathan to help Lanka stay afloat.

Earlier, Dilshan stroked five fours in two overs to lead Lanka’s mini-recovery after they were 6-2 after the first two overs. It wasn’t a match-changing effort, but certainly gave Lanka the momentum they were so desperately seeking.

For India, their best phase was when Gautam Gambhir and Raina were at the crease as India looked desperate to set a stiff target.

Raina, in particular, was ultra-aggressive taking on all the bowlers, lofting and driving them with the IPL-gained confidence. It helped that the ball did not rear up near the head.

Gambhir, who was clearly out of sorts, also began to find his touch, as India reigned supreme in the first 10 overs. Everything though changed with the fall of Gambhir for a well-compiled 41.

He tried to run Lasith Malinga down to thirdman, but only ended up guiding one straight to Sangakkara.

Malinga then combined with surprise package Thissara Perera to choke India in the final five overs. It did not help that Raina and Yuvraj Singh fell to low full-tosses and that Dhoni’s massive bat swing could not translate into boundaries.
If India still had a faint hope, it disappeared as soon as Kapugedera walloped that massive six of Kumar to take the score past 143. As far as India was concerned, the tournament had ended.

On a low, slow pitch at the Ferozshah Kotla, Kings XI Punjab bowled with great heart and were ably supported by some insipid batting and poor running from Delhi Daredevils, who won the toss and elected to bat. The home team were bowled out for a paltry 111, Irfan Pathan and Piyush Chawla once again starring with the ball for Punjab. When it was their turn to bat, the visitors opened with Pathan partnering Mahela Jayawardene, a clear indication that they wanted to attack the Delhi bowlers upfront.

The ploy did not come off. But, Jayawardene kept the runs flowing from the other end. Then, despite some tight bowling from Delhi, the experience of Yuvraj Singh and Kumar Sangakkara saw Punjab causing another upset, after the defeat they handed out to Mumbai Indians.

Without a doubt, it was their batting effort which hurt Delhi big time. After Pathan got Virender Sehwag in the second over of the match, they recovered well via some aggressive batting by their skipper Gautam Gambhir.

With five fours, he raced to 26 in 11 balls before a moment of madness cost him his wicket. A confusion between him and David Warner saw him being stranded out of his crease and getting run out for the third time in this IPL, clearly something he needs to work on. For Punjab, this was just the breakthrough they needed.

Warner (7) joined Gambhir in the pavilion soon, being dismissed in a similar fashion to his skipper, Paul Collingwood was his partner on this occasion. On a pitch where, as it is, batting was extremely difficult, Delhi could not have afforded to give away wickets so cheaply; the fact that they did, compounded their woes manifold.

Piyush Chawla joined in the act for Punjab, producing another mesmerising spell. On a wicket that seemed tailor-made for his style of bowling, the leg spinner trapped Collingwood with a perfectly directed googly and did the same to Daniel Vettori a little later.

At 63 for 5, the innings was in tatters. But, if Delhi had a reason to be positive, it was that they too had two potent spinners in Vettori and Amit Mishra. Before that, however, they needed to put up a challenging total. In Mithun Manhas and Dinesh Karthik, they had two men who were capable of staging a fightback. But, Punjab were determined not to let that happen.

Pathan returned to end Karthik’s resistance for 17 while Manhas gave his hand away, falling to Juan Theron on 26. The mop-up job did not take long.

Delhi needed to strike early with the ball to have sniff. That was not to be. And, though the bowling was competitive, Jayawardene ensured that he picked up a few boundaries here and there, including a mighty six, thereby not allowing the pressure to build. When he was eventually dismissed for 38, Punjab had reached 65 in the 11th over. A couple of quick wickets would have still put the pressure back on batting side.

But Sangakkara and Yuvraj (21*) joined hands and featured in a sensible partnership. By the time, Sangakkara was dismissed for 33, Punjab were on the doorsteps of victory. They might not make it to the semis, but Punjab are clearly beginning to show their capabilities. Better late than never.