Amit Mishra is the man of the moment for Delhi. He had 15 runs to defend in the final over and he responded with a hat-trick. Mishra finished with 5 for 17, fantastic performance under pressure. He even took the crucial wickets at the top of the order - dismissing Afridi and Gibbs.

Gambhir and Dhawan set up Delhi’s total with half-centuries but Deccan were on course during their run-chase when Afridi and Gibbs were going berserk. Then they lost a few wickets but got back on track when Sharma played a fabulous innings. They once again looked out of the contest when Sharma got out and Styris struggled to build momentum but Rao’s cameo brought them within striking distance. McGrath returned to dismiss Rao in the penultimate over and that was the blow that knocked Deccan out.

The Man of the Match is Amit Mishra for two crucial wickets in his first spell and his last-over hat-trick to win the game for Delhi. He finished with figures of 5 for 17. Delhi have broken their four-match losing streak with a close win. Deccan are virtually out of the semi-finals. It will need a mathematical miracle for them to make it now.

Match No: 37
Teams: Delhi Daredevils vs Deccan Chargers
Venue Feroz Shah Kotla, Delhi
Toss Deccan Chargers
Result: Delhi Daredevils Won By 12 Runs
Man of the match: Amit Mishra
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The serial blasts that rocked Jaipur on May 13th also gave jitters to the overseas players of the Jaipur franchise currently playing in the IPL. Shane Warne, Shane Watson, Graeme Smith and the Rajasthan Royal’s team manager Darren Berry had all been on the horns of dilemma following the bomb blasts in Jaipur, the team’s home city. In fact Darren Berry had intimated his apprehensions to an Australian paper and it appeared the overseas player might even leave the country.

But Narendra Joshi, Rajasthan Royal’s media manager, has allayed all such fears and announced that no one is leaving. Security remains a top priority for the Royals and adequate measures have been taken to protect the players. I think the overseas players have done the right thing by staying in the country as terrorism is a global phenomenon and such acts have occurred elsewhere in New York, London and Madrid. So there is no guarantee of them not taking place in even Australia or South Africa.

Though every person has the right to the safety of his person, these cricketers also have an ethical responsibility of defying the monstrous people behind this heinous crime against humanity. I take offence to Berry’s statement describing Jaipur as a “dangerous part of the world.” I can understand he is terrified but for his kind information India is a very safe place. He even inanely described the blasts as being political - huh!

This is a fairly simple prognosis as Shoaib Akhtar has always come up with flashes of blinding brilliance but has always failed to replicate them with any consistency.

Shoaib Akhtar has attended so many hearings that he might fancy his chances as an attorney or arbitrator. But his figures of 4-11 in 3 overs against Delhi Daredevils indicate that he need not mull any alternative careers as yet. Many analysts with all their cricketing acumen and recondite knowledge thought he will not have much of an impact. He has planted a tight slap across their face and proved them embarrassingly wrong.

But yours truly is adventurous enough to stick his neck out and say that Akhtar’s maiden IPL match might be a false dawn and that he will not come close to anything like it in the forthcoming matches. This is a fairly simple prognosis as Shoaib Akhtar has always come up with flashes of blinding brilliance but has always failed to replicate them with any consistency.

He is no stranger to controversies and injuries resulting in long layoffs, and subsequent come backs. He normally doesn’t finish an entire series and I can only remember his performance against a touring England side more than a couple of years ago where he lived to the hoopla normally associated with him. However, the ban might bring the best out in him and he might like the IPL for the light work he is supposed to perform - albeit in a very tense environment – compared to international cricket.

Reebok India, the leading sports brand made history of sorts by creating a moment that brought sports and stardom together.

The official merchandise partner for Kolkata Knight Riders, the IPL team owned by Bollywood star Shahrukh Khan, Reebok struck a chord with all enthusiastic cricket fans, as it invited Shahrukh to open its first Knight Riders store on Sarat Bose Road in Kolkata. Knight Riders fanatics were bowled over at this unexpected treat.

Up for grabs at the store is the specially designed Knight Riders footwear and apparel fan gear. The line is complete with accessories like caps, head bands, wristbands, bag packs etc.
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Teams: Delhi Daredevils vs Deccan Chargers
Preview:
This will be a clash between two teams, both struggling with their form. While the Deccan Chargers are languishing at seventh spot with just two wins in nine matches, the Delhi Daredevils lost their last four matches. Delhi are still very much in the run for a semi-final spot while the Chargers captain Adam Gilchrist himself admitted that his side is out of the running in their quest for a Top 4 place.

Star Watch: Keep an eye on Herschelle Gibbs, who has had a quiet tournament so far. He is ideal for this form of cricket, and as Sanath Jayasuriya showed yesterday, one can never really write off a class player.
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