Sohal, Sangakkara shape Deccan win

Little-known opener Sunny Sohal hit a half-century and Kumar Sangakkara made a solid 49 to set up Deccan Chargers’ 16-run win over Delhi Daredevils in the Indian Premier League yesterday. Sohal top-scored with an impressive 62 as Deccan posted a competitive 168-4 before restricting Delhi to 152-7 for their second victory in five matches of the Twenty20 tournament. Australian David Warner scored a 48-ball 51 with the help of one six and five fours for Delhi, who suffered their third defeat in four games. He added 52 for the fourth wicket with Venugopal Rao (21). Seamer Harmeet Singh bagged two crucial wickets, including that of skipper Virender Sehwag (12), to put Delhi under pressure, while Australian paceman Daniel Christian finished with 2-38. Yogesh Nagar (23) and Australian James Hopes (17 not out) were the other main scorers for Delhi. Sohal, who smashed a six and a four off successive balls from South African fast bowler Morne Morkel, earlier put on 92 for the second wicket with skipper Sangakkara, who hit one six and eight fours in his 35-ball knock. Sri Lankan Sangakkara looked set to reach his half-century before falling in a bid to step up the run-rate. Australian Cameron White helped Deccan cross the 150-mark with a brisk 25-ball 31 not out in the closing overs. “Feels a lot better now after having won. A great team effort, everyone chipped in. Delhi came back well at the backend. We did well to get Sehwag early on. “It’s nice to have White in our side, and also Sunny Sohal who played well. I’m batting pretty decently of late and good to have made a contribution,” said a delighted Sangakkara after the match.Delhi skipper Sehwag revealed that he has still not got the right combination going. “Yeah, we are still getting there, we are still searching for the best combination and hopefully we will get there. In the coming games, hopefully I and Warner will provide more blazing starts. A big one is due from me as well.”The second match between Royal Challengers Bangalore and Rajastan Royals was called off due to rain.