da wazamba： Plays of the day for the match between Delhi Daredevils and Kings XI Punjab in Delhi
Cricinfo staff17-May-2008
Never underestimate Ramesh Powar’s abilities in the field (file photo) © AFP
Indian Culture?: The Delhi Daredevils got rid of their cheerleadersa fortnight ago, after complaints that the scantily dressed girls weren’trepresentative of Indian culture. But in their place, you can see twotopless men with faces and torsos painted in red and black, the teamcolours. They dance around the outfield, with a bhangra troupe followingthem. More Indian? We wonder what the crowd thought of that.Helping hands: No bowler enjoys catches being dropped off hisbowling, and the excitable Sreesanth was near the end of his tether as twochances went down in the space of three balls. First Yuvraj Singh spilleda sitter at mid-off to reprieve Virender Sehwag, and then VRV Singhmisjudged a chance at third man after Gautam Gambhir had miscueda drive. Two costly mistakes, redeemed only by the batsmen on the strokeof midnight.Pace isn’t everything: VRV bowled the fastest ball of the match,clocked at 143.2 kmh, and Sehwag responded with a nonchalant swipe overbackward point. VRV’s two overs went for 33, proof that pace alone doesn’tcount for much.Fat men can move: You may remember Wesley Snipes and WoodyHarrelson in , and the rotund Ramesh Powarexploded another myth tonight with a smart running catch at midwicket tosend back the dangerous Farveez Maharoof. He had two wickets as well. Notbad for a debut outing.Yours? Mine? Oops: When Shaun Marsh lofted one high into the dustyDelhi night, Shikhar Dhawan and Shoaib Malik both ran towards the rope totry and snaffle it. With the crowd making such a noise, calls of “Mine”are unlikely to have been heard, and the two men ran into each other.Fortunately, there was no repeat of the sickening Steve Waugh-JasonGillespie collision , and a jubilant Dhawan rose off the turf with theball in his hands.Three strikes, you’re out: Glenn McGrath had been on the money forthe first nine balls of his spell, but then Yuvraj lofted sixes overlong-off and backward square leg to rouse the sleeping Punjab lion. Buthis attempt at three in a row was brilliantly taken on the run [and dive]by Maharoof at long-on.