Game played on: April 16, 2011

Venue: Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad

Pitch won by: KXIP, who chose to bowl

First Innings (DC):

Power Play Overs (1-6):

DC opened with Sohal and skipper Sangakkara and despite Sohal’s early loss, caught by Kartik off Harris, in the second over, finished the Power Play, at a healthy 48/1. Dhawan, who came on Sohal’s wicket drop, was 21 for 18 balls, while Sangakkara was 19 for 13.

Halfway mark:

After ten overs, DC had moved to 81/1, with captain Sangakkara on 34 from 25 balls and Dhawan on 38 from 30. With 29 runs in the previous three overs, both batsmen were looking to speed up the scoring.

Fifteen on stage:

In the perspective of the final result of the game, this was the most crucial period; in this 5-over spell, DC added just 33 runs as KXIP took 3 wickets, to deny the Chargers’ great start. Valthaty, Punjab’s hero against CSK, took two of the wickets that fell, including that of Chipli, who had powered Deccan to victory over Royal Challengers Bangalore.

Slog Overs (16 – 20):

Valthaty finished on 4/29 while Deccan managed to get to 165/8. None of the lower ranked batsmen got going, in a score that would need some good bowling and fielding, if DC were to defend it.

Verdict of the first entry:

DC lost its way after setting up a big platform in the middle stage. They fell at least 20 runs short of comfort at a wicket that offered little help to the bowlers.

Second input (KXIP):

Power Play Overs (1-6):

Skipper Gilchrist came to the party; Joined by Valthaty, who seemed to pick up where he left off against CSK, he propelled KXIP to 62/0 in the Power Play.

Halfway mark:

The 10 over leg saw KXIP at 104/0, with the sell rate reduced to just over 6 over. Both starters looked to be in ominous shape and DC looked down and out unless they took some quick wickets.

Fifteen on stage:

DC lost to Gilchrist in the over 14, caught by Ravi Teja off Mishra for 61 from 46 balls. But it was too little too late for DC as the KXIP score had progressed to 136/1. With under 30 runs to go in 6 overs, and Valthaty still up there on 63 off 40 balls, there was an air of inevitability.

Slog Overs (16-20):

KXIP rounded off a well-deserved victory, thanks to a well-rounded performance from Valthaty, for whom the last two games have been a renewed experience after nearly a decade in the cricketing wild.

final verdict:

DC fell apart, after setting the stage for a big score. KXIP followed a plan after putting DC up to bat and fought their way back, just as Sangakkara and Dhawan threatened to take the game away from them. A deserved victory against Punjab has opened the points table in what promises to be a close tournament that almost any team could win.