IPL 6: Sunrisers Hyderabad defeat Delhi Daredevils in low-scoring match

New Delhi: There was no end to Delhi Daredevils` misery as the side crashed to its fourth successive defeat in the Pepsi Indian Premier League, losing a low-scoring see-saw contest by three wickets to Sunrisers Hyderabad, here on Friday.

SCORECARD» | COMMENTARY» | AS IT HAPPENED» POINTS TABLE» I SCHEDULE» Even Virender Sehwag`s presence failed to lift the side as all they could manage was a paltry 114 for eight after electing to bat at the Feroz Shah Kotla ground. Sehwag played his first game of the season and the side must have expected an inspiring start from him but the out-of-favour India opener could not help the side, whose cup of woes is now overflowing. The batsmen yet again let the Delhi team down but the Hyderabad bowlers deserve the credit for keeping the hosts under constant pressure by regular strikes. The fortunes kept fluctuating in the low-scoring thriller but eventually Hyderabad huffed and puffed to win with four balls to spare. It became a battle of nerves for the both the sides and Amit Mishra (16) and Dale Styen (9) steered their side home, with the latter finishing the match with a crushing straight drive off Irfan Pathan. It was a shoddy batting display by the home side as well as the visitors. Hyderabad batsmen were far from comfortable in their chase and almost gifted Delhi their first win. Runs did not come easy for the visitors and they too lost wickets at regular intervals to keep Delhi in hunt. Skipper Sangakkara (28) and Parthiv Patel (19) settled the innings after early loss of Akshath Reddy (1), who was run out. However, after Patel was caught by Shahbaz Nadeem in his follow through and Sangakkara was dismissed by Johan Botha, Delhi were back in the match. Earlier, Delhi Daredevils put up a spineless batting show as they posted a meagre 114 for eight. 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. Jadhav`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. PTI