Jhunjhunwala's amble of a run

Deccan Chargers have dropped catches galore in this IPL. They have fielded at times like an Under-14 side, in the words of their coach Darren Lehmann. It is an atrocious piece of running, though, that might yet come to define their season.

On Tuesday night against Kings XI Punjab, Chargers' chase had been hit by the fall of Daniel Harris, Cameron White and Kumar Sangakkara in the space of eight deliveries. Akshath Reddy and Abhishek Jhunjhunwala tried to salvage the innings with a sixth-wicket partnership of 43. When Reddy fell in the 17th over, Chargers needed 54 from 21 deliveries, not entirely out of reach.

Jhunjhunwala's negligent running, though, gave the impression that Chargers had long given up. After mishitting a full toss to mid-off, Jhunjhunwala ambled down the pitch for the single. But Shaun Marsh quickly reached the ball and threw at the non-striker's end. By the time Jhunjhunwala realised that he would have to increase his pace, the stumps had already been knocked down by the direct hit.

After nine defeats from 11 completed games, Chargers have four matches left. They might still win a few, like the previous season, but like in Jhunjhunwala's case, the stumps have been knocked down for some time now.