Sehwag heats up Delhi
So it's a good thing this fan got to cool down in an air-conditioned corporate box for 15 minutes
Rahul Bhasin
24-Apr-2011
'Viru, the crowd wants another six. Should we oblige them?' • AFP
Choice of game
I would have preferred the Delhi Daredevils' matches against the Royal Challengers Bangalore or the Kolkata Knight Riders, which are taking place later this week at the same ground, but I went for this game because it was on a weekend. I also thought since both teams are evenly matched on paper, it could end up being a tight contest.
I would have preferred the Delhi Daredevils' matches against the Royal Challengers Bangalore or the Kolkata Knight Riders, which are taking place later this week at the same ground, but I went for this game because it was on a weekend. I also thought since both teams are evenly matched on paper, it could end up being a tight contest.
Team supported
I supported Delhi in the first three seasons but now that they have got rid of Tillakaratne Dilshan, AB de Villiers, Gautam Gambhir, Dirk Nannes, Daniel Vettori, Ashish Nehra, etc. I can't really support them. My top three are Chennai Super Kings, Mumbai Indians and Bangalore. Who'll win? It's Twenty20, so who knows?
I supported Delhi in the first three seasons but now that they have got rid of Tillakaratne Dilshan, AB de Villiers, Gautam Gambhir, Dirk Nannes, Daniel Vettori, Ashish Nehra, etc. I can't really support them. My top three are Chennai Super Kings, Mumbai Indians and Bangalore. Who'll win? It's Twenty20, so who knows?
Key performer
Virender Sehwag, for his ridiculously powerful hitting. The three sixes in a row off Hussey were brutal.
Virender Sehwag, for his ridiculously powerful hitting. The three sixes in a row off Hussey were brutal.
One thing I'd have changed
I would have liked it if Delhi had scored 20-30 runs fewer. The target was too high. And even though Punjab crossed 200, they were never in the game.
I would have liked it if Delhi had scored 20-30 runs fewer. The target was too high. And even though Punjab crossed 200, they were never in the game.
Face-off I relished
In a Twenty20 match in which nearly 450 runs were scored, it's hard to "relish" a contest between a batsman and a bowler. I did enjoy seeing the much talked-about Varun Aaron, playing his first match, getting Adam Gilchrist's wicket. He's got good pace.
In a Twenty20 match in which nearly 450 runs were scored, it's hard to "relish" a contest between a batsman and a bowler. I did enjoy seeing the much talked-about Varun Aaron, playing his first match, getting Adam Gilchrist's wicket. He's got good pace.
Wow moment
My friend and I accidently got into an air-conditioned corporate box with cushioned seats. The security guard at the door thought we were from the media. We were politely removed from the box after 15 minutes, but after suffering the Delhi heat, getting such awesome seats, even for just 15 minutes, was a "wow" moment.
My friend and I accidently got into an air-conditioned corporate box with cushioned seats. The security guard at the door thought we were from the media. We were politely removed from the box after 15 minutes, but after suffering the Delhi heat, getting such awesome seats, even for just 15 minutes, was a "wow" moment.
Shot of the day
This is going to seem random since he barely did anything in the match, but Yogesh Nagar's four through point was sublime. Praveen Kumar was doing stretches near the boundary and just as he stood up, the ball crossed him to the boundary.
This is going to seem random since he barely did anything in the match, but Yogesh Nagar's four through point was sublime. Praveen Kumar was doing stretches near the boundary and just as he stood up, the ball crossed him to the boundary.
Crowd meter
I expected the ground to be 50% full, but it was nearly a full house. The atmosphere was great. The loudest and most frequent chants were for Sehwag, and after he got out, for David Warner.
I expected the ground to be 50% full, but it was nearly a full house. The atmosphere was great. The loudest and most frequent chants were for Sehwag, and after he got out, for David Warner.
Banner of the day
"Irfan Pathan = $1.9 million. Yuvraj Singh = $1.8 million Seriously?" I feel the same way.
"Irfan Pathan = $1.9 million. Yuvraj Singh = $1.8 million Seriously?" I feel the same way.
Star-spotting
I saw Bollywood actors Lara Dutta and Vinay Pathak, along with tennis player Mahesh Bhupathi, who is Dutta's husband, on the big screen. I was disappointed Preity Zinta couldn't make it to support her team.
I saw Bollywood actors Lara Dutta and Vinay Pathak, along with tennis player Mahesh Bhupathi, who is Dutta's husband, on the big screen. I was disappointed Preity Zinta couldn't make it to support her team.
ODI v Twenty20
They have their pros and cons. Fifty-over cricket will always remain superior to Twenty20, but it is much easier for a spectator to take go watch a Twenty20 than for him or her to spend a whole day at a 50-over match.
They have their pros and cons. Fifty-over cricket will always remain superior to Twenty20, but it is much easier for a spectator to take go watch a Twenty20 than for him or her to spend a whole day at a 50-over match.
TV v stadium
Stadium, any day. You may miss some replays and expert comments but the vibe and atmosphere in a stadium can't be compared to anything you get at home. When Sehwag was going crazy with his hitting, we felt he was doing so because of us and our cheering. To see him respond with six after six was amazing.
Stadium, any day. You may miss some replays and expert comments but the vibe and atmosphere in a stadium can't be compared to anything you get at home. When Sehwag was going crazy with his hitting, we felt he was doing so because of us and our cheering. To see him respond with six after six was amazing.
Marks out of 10
8.5. Fewer runs from Delhi would have made it a nail-biter.
8.5. Fewer runs from Delhi would have made it a nail-biter.
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