Mumbai, Apr 17: Delhi Daredevils captain Virender Sehwag is happy that their decision of chasing the target instead of setting the one against Pune Warriors paid as they ended their win-less streak in the fourth edition of the Indian Premier League here today.
Chasing a huge total 188 to win, Delhi achieved the target with four balls to spare.
“Our batting didn't click in the first two games in which we batted first. I thought with a target to chase the batsmen would take some responsibility. It was a fine victory and was a team effort by the Delhi Daredevils,” said the swashbuckling opener after his team defeated the home side by three wickets in a high-scoring game.
He said the team had lost hopes of a victory when they needed 41 runs in the last three overs.
“When we needed 41 off three overs we thought we would lose the game. But twenty runs came off the 18th over. I think that was the turning point,” said Sehwag who scored 37 in 23 balls and also shared an opening stand of 75 with David Warner who made a quick-fire 46 off 28 balls.
“The wicket was good. The kind of batting line-up we have, we knew if we could get a good start we could do it. But we were confident of chasing 160-170. But Yuvraj Singh played a fantastic knock. We lost quick wickets, but Venu (gopal Rao) and Aaron (Finch) played splendidly,” he said.
Rao made 31 off 20 balls while Finch scored a 12-ball 25.
He also praised James Hopes for his finishing and excellent show with the ball on a good batting strip.
“He was the only bowler who gave (only) 26 runs in four overs. He later hit a four and a six to win the game and has made it difficult for us whom to select for the next match,” said the Delhi skipper.
Sehwag said though forming an almost totally new outfit from scratch was a difficult task, the team was slowly becoming a unit.
“It's difficult to build a new team with only one man in it originally. We are coming there, getting better as a unit. We are practicing hard, sharing information and experience. We need a couple of more weeks.
“The coach (Greg Shipperd) has done a fantastic job. We had a camp from March 30. He has helped me with his knowledge about the players.”
He also praised the performance of his rival counterpart Yuvraj who finished on the losing side despite scoring an unbeaten 66 in 33 balls and taking four wickets, both individual bests in the match.
“It happens even in One-dayers. Yuvraj Singh batted well and bowled well but ended on the losing side. I am happy with that. It was a great effort by our team. We had bowled really well before the last over (by Ashok Dinda),” he said.
Dinda gave away 26 runs in the last over with Yuvraj hitting him for three huge sixes to end the innings on a high note.
Sehwag said that gangling South African speedster Morne Morkel missed today's match because of a stomach bug.
“Morkel had an upset stomach. I don't know what he ate, but hopefully he will be fit for the next game.” PTI
