Delhi rule with Sehwag and Warner in run-fest

Openers Virender Sehwag and David Warner both smashed brisk half-centuries to propel Delhi Daredevils to a 29-run victory over Kings XI Punjab. India star Sehwag and aggressive Aussie Warner both scored 77 as Delhi posted a mammoth 231-4 – their highest-ever IPL total – in Delhi.

Thanks to a brilliant 46-ball 95 from Shaun Marsh, Punjab did not die wondering in response, finishing on 202-6.

Bowling first after winning the toss, Punjab watched on in disbelief as both Sehwag and Warner punished the bowlers with disdain and put on 100 by the ninth over. By then Warner had brought up his 50 off 29 balls with the help of three sixes and six fours. Sehwag reached the mark a couple of overs later but one fewer than Warner took.

The Delhi captain then hit a trio of sixes off David Hussey to move to 77 off just 35 balls, but the Australian all-rounder had a brief respite when Sehwag holed out to deep mid-wicket. But at 146-1 in 11.4 overs, the platform was set for the first 200-plus total of the tournament, and Warner, who was quietened amid Sehwag’s onslaught, then took charge.

The left-hander added 18 with Yogesh Nagar (11) and 15 with Venugopal Rao, before holing out to deep mid-wicket off Praveen Kumar for a 48-ball 77. Rao (28no off 15) and Naman Ojha (19no off eight) then blasted 47 off the last three overs to bring up the massive total.

Chasing 232 for victory, Adam Gilchrist and Marsh kept Punjab in the hunt even though Paul Valthaty (14) failed to repeat his earlier heroics. The Australian pair added 72 off just 39 balls but Varun Aaron bowled Gilchrist for 42 off 33 balls through the gate to bring Delhi back into the game.