Daredevils defy defeat

In many ways, there have been few surprise so far in the IPL. Admittedly it is not my favourite competition but I can't deny the passion (as well as the income) it generates for cricket, particularly in India itself. The Delhi Daredevils have lost only two matches so far, when they were overpowered first by AB De Villiers (RCB) and then Jesse Ryder (Pune Warriors), and in recent weeks have boasted what looks like a 'fantasy' batting line-up. Jayawardene, Sehwag, Pietersen, Taylor and Pathan make for a fearsome top five. Captain Sehwag has now thrashed five successive half-centuries, which may be unprecedented, and KP has also made match-winning runs. Mahela and Ross have struggled but it doesn't matter when the other two are firing on all cylinders, and Morne Morkel is taking wickets. Today's opponents, KKR, have won five on the trot without having outstanding individual performances. Like Sehwag, skipper Gambhir has led from the front but the usually relaible pair of McCullum and Kallis have so far failed to shine with the bat. It is hardly a shock to me that the young West Indian spinner Sunil Narine is their top wicket-taker and is one of the most economical bowlers in the whole competition, conceding an average of just 5.25 runs per over. His 5-19 against the Kings XI last month remains amongst the best match figures, too. The Mumbai Indians will surely again reach the knockout stage, although they needed three boundaries from the last three balls from Dwayne Smith to beat the Super Kings yesterday, after Tendulkar and Rohit Sharma had seen their splendid foundation to the chase eroded by a crazy spell of ten balls, in which four wickets went for four runs. The fourth place is up for grabs although at the moment RCB look favourites to progress. Any side with Chris Gayle, AB De Villiers and Virat Kohli in their side has to be in with a very good shout. However, the Jamaican must be disappointed. He has slammed 'only' 31 sixes and failed to convert five fifties into three figures. What a failure! AB's 172 is the highest strike rate of any leading batsman in the tournament to date, but top of the run aggregate is Ajinkya Rahane. While a Mumbai star in the Ranji Trophy, he opens alongside Rahul Dravid for the Rajasthan Royals who still harbour hopes of reching the top four. The bowling table has a familiar look to it, too. Lasith Malinga lords it at the top, with more wickets and a superior economy rate to anybody. Twenty20 often throws up new stars and the giants can easily be thrashed for sixes, but the Sri Lanka magician has in 2012 maintained his reputation as a death bowler par excellence. It remains a mystery to me why he couldn't do it consistently in Test cricket. As for today's clash of the top two teams, it could go either way. KP has gone back to England to prepare for the Windies but KKR can breathe no more easily because he will be replaced in the Daredevils team by none other than David Warner, another superstar of the format. Gambhir needs more support from his batsmen and for Narine and co to make early inroads into that formidable Delhi top five if their recent round of victories can be extended. My guess is that they won't do it and that the home team wil extend their lead in the table.