Hopes stars for Delhi despite personal grief

Delhi all-rounder James Hopes performed for his team despite being shattered by the news of his father diagnosed with cancer

Hopes stars for Delhi despite personal grief

Delhi all-rounder James Hopes performed for his team despite being shattered by the news of his father diagnosed with cancer

A tragic incident could shake up anybody's mental balance. And if it turns out to be of a dreadful disease like cancer, it is bound to bring your hopesu00a0crashing down to earth.

Delhi Daredevils' James Hopes must have been shattered after his father was detected with bowel cancer on the eve of their clash against Pune Warriors at the DY Patil Stadium.

However, the Aussie all-rounder showed no sign of depression and played with a composed mind yesterday. He contributed with both bat and ball to steer Delhi Daredevils to a three-wicket win and deny Pune their third successive win in the Indian Premier League (IPL) fourth season.

Stayed on for dad
"I am so glad that I could play a role in Daredevils win. My dad wanted me to stay on and play and do my bit. He has been a great support for me in tough times. I am happy I could do something to make him feel happy in these difficult days. I am sure he is proud of me today," Hopes told MiD DAY.u00a0u00a0

Hopes was the only bowler who could contain Yuvraj Singh & Co. He gave away just 26 runs in four overs and took one wicket. Pune Warriors posted 187 for five, thanks to a quickfire 66 off 32 balls from Yuvraj in the end. Opener Jesse Ryder contributed with 60 runs.

Delhi Daredevils were off to a good start. David Warner, who played in spite of a stomach bug, scored 46 in 28 balls and skipper Virender Sehwag scored 37 runs to put on a 75-run opening stand.u00a0

The game went down to the wire.

Venugopal Rao struck a four and a six before being out to the last ball of the penultimate over, bowled by Yuvraj Singh.

Needing eight runs in the last over, Hopes was the only hope for Delhi, and he did not disappoint. He slammed a four and six off Ryder to finish of the game in style.

Hopes' unbeaten 13 off just four balls helped Delhi register its first win in the tournament.

Sehwag heaped praise on Hopes.

"Fantastic, he was the only bowler who was economical. And later he hit a six and a four and won the game for us. It will be difficult for me to tell which bowler and which batsman to pick in the next game," said Sehwag.

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