Two contrasting innings took the winds out of the sails of the Delhi Daredevils as Rajasthan Royals romped home to a five wicket victory with nine balls to spare. Although their target of  144 was a modest one, batting has been the Achilles Heel of the team from Rajasthan and there were many (a few Cricketwaggers too) who fancied the Daredevil’s chances. And the Royals seemed to be hellbent on proving their critics as some very ordinary batting saw them collapse to 64-5 by the 11th over. It seemed all over, bar the shouting.

But Yusuf Pathan and Graeme Smith ensured that the shouting was never heard. The South African skipper mistimed a number of strokes but grit his teeth and stayed in while Yusuf blazed away in a manner that left the Daredevils stunned. The pair knocked off the 83 runs their team needed to win in 45 deliveries, Pathan finishing with an amazing 62 off 30 deliveries (with 6 sixes) while Smith’s contribution was a measured 44 off 46. 

Earlier in the day, the Royals bowled and fielded brilliantly to restrict the Daredevils to 143-7. The Delhi team was never really able to shake off the early loss of Gambhir and Sehwag (both to Mascarenhas) and although a fifty from de Villiers and some handy late hitting from Vettori, got them to a semblance of  respectability, their final total was challenging rather than intimidating.