Two days back, it was Mumbai who bore the brunt of Kerala’s ‘fearless’ batting in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy T20 tournament. On Friday, it was Delhi's turn to be at the receiving end of their onslaught. If
Kerala had chased down 197 for victory the other day, they were set a record target of 213 by Delhi at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai.
Sanju Samson's team overhauled it with ease, winning by six wickets with an over to spare. The three back-to-back wins against Puducherry, Mumbai and Delhi have not only put Kerala on top of the ladder in Group E but also has given them the tag of ‘giant slayers' of the tournament.
Kerala batsmen have hardly cared for reputations in the tournament. That showed in how they dealt with an experienced campaigner like Ishant Sharma. Delhi's pace spearhead was smashed for 48 runs in his four overs and had to be content with just the wicket of last-match centurion Mohammed Azharuddeen (0).
The onus of taking the attack to the rival camp was taken over from Azharuddeen by senior partner
Robin Uthappa, who batted like his old-self, smashing eight 6s and three 4s, to come with a highly entertaining 54-ball 91. While Sanju Samson (10) and
Sachin Baby (22) couldn't come up with anything substantial, it was Vishnu Vinod who joined Uthappa in the demolition party by smashing an unbeaten 71 (38 balls, 3x4, 5x6). The two put on a scintillating 133-run stand for the fourth wicket off just 62 balls.
Though Uthappa perished on the verge of a win, Vishnu along with Salman Nizar (10 not out) ensured Kerala cantered to victory.
Earlier, skipper
Shikhar Dhawan's 48-ball 77 was the cornerstone around which Delhi built their innings as they posted 212 for four in 20 overs.
For Kerala, comeback man Sreesanth claimed two wickets.
Kerala coach
Tinu Yohannan was pleased with the performance of his boys in the tournament. “We have told them to be expressive and play fearless cricket. I have asked them to stop worrying about the results. Each player has been assigned different roles and they are relishing the challenge.”
Brief scores: Delhi 212/4 in 20 overs (Shikhar Dhawan 77, Lalit Yadav 52 not out; S Sreesanth 2/46) lost to Kerala 218/4 (Robin Uthappa 91, Vishnu Vinod 71 not out; Lalit Yadav 1/33) by six wickets.
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