Daredevils trounce Royals by six wickets

Young left-arm spinner Pawan Negi bowled the best spell of his short career as Delhi Daredevils restricted Rajasthan Royals 141 for six in an IPL match, in Jaipur on Tuesday. Further on, skipper Sehwag braced to 73 off just 38 balls to lead his team to a comfortable win against Rajasthan.

Virender Sehwag. Photo: u00a0AFP

The 19-year-old Delhi lad had brilliant figures of four for 18 as he ran through the Royals top-order after the home team were off to blazing start.

Current 'Orange Cap' holder Ajinkya Rahane (42, 32 balls, 7x4) and skipper Rahul Dravid (57, 43 balls, 7x4) added 71 runs from only 8.3 overs before Negi dismissed Rahane, Shane Watson (8), Brad Hodge (1) and Ashok Menaria (1) to get Daredevils right back in the match.

Even though Dravid completed his half century in only 35 balls, the Royals had lost momentum courtesy a brilliant Negi and never recovered from that batting collapse.

Rahane, who has been in sublime form during this edition started off from where he had left against Daredevils in the match at the Kotla. The third over of the innings -- second from Irfan Pathan saw the left-arm medium pacer hit for four boundaries. With skipper Dravid also playing confidently, runs flowed from the blades of the two batsmen. The 50 came at the end of five overs and Royals were off to a flier.

Daredevils' find-of-the-season Shahbaz Nadeem didn't bowl a good first spell but another youngster --- Delhi boy Negi rose to the occasion as he got four wickets in a space of three overs. First it was Rahane who needlessly played a reverse sweep only to offer a simple catch Sehwag at point.

Shane Watson (8) announced his arrival at the crease with a big six off Nadeem but was cleaned up when he went for a cross-batted heave to give Negi his second wicket.

In between, Owais Shah (1) was hurried into a shot by a quicker delivery from Umesh Yadav that popped as Naman Ojha took a simple catch behind the stumps.