DPL: Himmat takes Riders to win as Navdeep Saini fluffs lines

India international Navdeep Saini, who is part of India’s fast bowling stocks, and had impressed with his pace and nip, looked a pale shadow of himself as he handed a game within West Delhi Lions’ grasp to East Delhi Riders on a platter at the delhi Premier League on Friday night.

Saini conceded 27 in his last over, the innings’ second last, after bowling an erratic first over early in the innings, as skipper Himmat Singh led the Riders from the front to eke out a five-wicket win.

“When I went in to bat, I knew the pitch will be better because in the first match [between Purani Dilli 6 and Central Delhi Kings], the first innings saw a total in excess of 200. Also, West Delhi batted really well. But when I went in, the fast bowlers were moving the ball. But despite losing early wickets, we never fell behind the required run rate,” said Himmat after the match.

“I just wanted to take the innings deep. The start to my innings wasn’t that good. But I thought, those who got a good start, they’ll capitalise.”

Himmat had scored 25 off 25 balls but then hammered 40 off 22 balls.

About taking runs off Saini, he said, “I had planned to target an over. I knew a fast bowler will bowl and that side (leg-side) is small. I will target that side. I curbed my instincts early on as I wanted to target the right over at the right time.”

Himmat hit a six, then got a four off no-ball before hitting another six to pulverise Saini.

He was ably supported by young Mayank Rawat, who scored 44 off 22 balls and shared a 67-run partnership for the fifth wicket. That partnership brought the team back.

Earlier, West Delhi Lions rode on a 44-ball 73 by left-handed batsman Ankit Kumar, who plays for Golden Hawks in DDCA League, to reach 182/9.

“I had thought before I entered the field that I will stay at the pitch because I knew that I can cover it whenever I want because I am a strokeplayer. I gave myself time and did it.”

A six over extra cover, with knees bent and bat in full flow, was a shot fit for a photo frame.

“It is my favourite shot. I love to hit over covers,” said the left-hander, who took up cricket seriously after the death of his father.

Brief Scores

West Delhi Lions 182/9 in 20 overs (Ankit Kumar 73 off 44, Krish Yadav 25 off 26, Simarjeet Singh 3/19) lost to East Delhi Riders 183/5 in 19 overs (Himmat Singh 65* off 47, Mayank Rawat 44 off 22, Hrithik Shokeen 2/24) by five wickets

Central Delhi Kings thrash Purani Dilli 6

In Friday’s first game, Central Delhi Kings defeated Purani Dilli 6 by 109 runs.

Aryan Rana scored a blistering 75 not out off 38 balls while Jonty Sidhu hit 50 off 22 balls as Central Delhi Kings scored 217/7 in 20 overs.

In response, Sumit Kumar took 4/22 as Purani Dilli 6 were bowled out for 108 in 12.1 overs.

Brief Scores

Central Delhi Kings 217/7 in 20 overs (Aryan Rana 75* off 38 balls, Jonty Sidhu 50 off 22 balls; Prince Yadav 3/47) beat Purani Dilli 6 108 all out in 12.1 overs (Sanat Sangwan 33 off 18 balls, Shivam Sharma 36 off 22 balls; Sumit Kumar 4/22, Money Grewal  3/28 and Jonty Sidhu 3/8) by 109 runs.

Tags : Delhi Premier League, Cricket, Himmat Singh, Mayank Rawat, East Delhi Riders, Central Delhi Kings, Purani Dilli 6, West Delhi Lions, Arun Jaitley Stadium, Ferozeshah Kotla