Delhi Daredevils put up a spineless batting show as they posted a meagre 114 for eight against Sunrisers Hyderabad in their Pepsi Indian Premier League (IPL) match here today.
Hyderabad played to their strength, with the disciplined bowling attack piling on the misery on the Delhi batsmen, who have been struggling since the beginning of the tournament.
Delhi must have expected an inspiring start from Virender Sehwag after electing to bat but the out-of-favour India opener could not help the side, looking for its first win after three defeats.
His contribution was just 12 runs as Delhi top-order failed again. Kumar Sangakkara was smart in his captaincy as he shuffled his bowlers intelligently, never allowing Delhi batsmen to pay freely on a wicket that has uneven bounce.
Hyderabad bowlers, led by the lethal South African paceman, Dale Steyn, kept jolting the hosts with regular wickets by keeping a tight line and not giving any leeway. The fielders too supported them well.
Credit must go to the Hyderabad bowlers, but Delhi also batted poorly.
Kedar Jadhav, who is in India's probables list for the Champion Trophy, was the only batsman who batted with purpose, top scoring with an unbeaten 30 off 20 balls.
Jadahav's 30-run partnership for the sixth wicket with Irfan Pathan (23) was the highest for the hosts, which put on board the second lowest total of the season so far.
Steyn (2/11), Thishara Perera (2/31) and Ishant Sharma (2/35) shared six wickets among them.
Steyn provided a spectacular start to his side, bowling a wicket-maiden as he dismissed the in-form David Warner (0) in the fourth ball and almost had Jayawardene (12) the next ball, but Parthiv Patel grassed the tough chance.
