Virender Sehwag - 63 from & MoM
One of the most feared players in the game's shortest format and on today's evidence, as well as recent form, it's no wonder why. Today's was his 4th consecutive IPL half-century, the first player to achieve this, and it was another example of ruthless hitting. Jayawardene and Pietersen both fell early so he had to knuckle down (relatively speaking) more than he's used to, hitting the bad balls but not really going after the bowlers unnecessarily. Some of his strokeplay to the spinners was stunning, backing away to leg to open up the offside and stroke the ball through the covers. Were it not for his innings, at a S/R of 161.5, Delhi would have got nowhere near their total of 152/6 and won the man of the match award as a result. Surely he can't do it again next time?!
The holder of the purple cap is included mainly for his phenomenal 19th over (0,0,1,0,2,W) that won Delhi the match from a position when it seemed all over as Rajasthan needed just 15 from 12 balls with 9 wickets in hand. Under immense pressure he produced a near perfect over, mind you the 4th ball was undoubtedly a leg-side wide that he got away with, that featured 4 pin-point yorkers, the last of which trapping Hodge plumb in front to put Delhi on top from an unthinkable position. It was an outstanding display of death bowling from DD's spearhead and showed why he's been the top bowler of this year's edition, even though his compatriot from Deccan might have something to say about that!
Ajinkya Rahana - 84* from 63
Sehwag's innings briefly earnt him the orange cap until Rajasthan's diminutive opener had his chance. It was yet another gem of an innings from Rahane, certainly in with a shout of more international recognition, and it really should have won his side the match. It was a well paced innings, knowing that he has the ability to up his S/R against the spinners through the middle overs, and was full of some of those straight batted shots down the ground and through the covers that we now associate with him. His 84* took him to a total of 416 runs at 59, unfortunately one of his few play and misses came off the last ball and cost his side the match so I'm sure he'll be absolutely gutted, not that this should take anything away from a magnificent 20/20 display, not his first this year either. The six he squeezed over backward point in the last over was good enough to win any match, unfortunately it just wasn't to be. He's definitely been my favorite player to watch this year, I just wish he was a Pune Warrior!
Mumbai vs Deccan
Harbajahn Singh - 4-0-13-2
Mumbai's captain has been under immense pressure of late, losing his place in the Indian side, skipper of an under-performing team and not taking many wickets himself, some Mumbai supporters have even been calling for him to dropped! His efforts today were brilliant, taking the responsibility of the new ball and looking to play the holding role for his side. He gave away next to nothing, taken for just one boundary through the slips, and ramped up the pressure that also led to wickets at the other end, as well as marshaling his troops successfully. An awesome performance from a man under the pressure of the city of Mumbai.
Lasith Malinga - 3.4-0-16-4
We all know of Malinga's usual role in 20/20 cricket, 2 overs at the start and 2 at the death but not this time. I really liked the way Harbajahn utilised him today, in particular the 9th over when he was brought back to bowl at Deccan's best players in Duminy and White, doing his job as he bounced out White to put his side well on top. At the death he was as good as ever, his control of both his yorkers and slower balls is 2nd to none as he claimed the last two wickets in consecutive deliveries with the batters mis-reading his change of pace. The batting side always know whats coming from him but that doesn't make it any easier to play.
Dale Steyn - 4-0-10-2 & MoM
Malinga may be the most difficult bowler to get away in 20/20 cricket but I still maintain that Dale Steyn is the best, once again he did not disappoint today! It was a stunning effort and the fact that he got MoM on the losing side highlights just how incredible his performance. Even defending just 100 you know you've got a chance with Steyn in your side, despite only having 24 balls at his disposal. It only took him one to open his account today as Levi was bowled by an absolute peach, crashing into his stumps to prompt a yawning celebration from the bowler, all too easy for the world's best! Rohit Sharma, one of the most gifted players in world cricket, was clueless against him and must have missed more than he connected with. I run out of superlatives when trying to describe just how good he is, if only Deccan had someone at the other end to back him (Ishant Sharma out injured is a huge loss for DC), not to mention his fielders who continue to let him down. It is such a treat to watch him bowl, Mumbai knew they only had to play him out and score at the other end but were still not able to see him out wicketless, even in a 20/20 game! He is unbelievably good and I can't wait to watch him in England in a couple of months time with a red ball in hand.
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