A full-fledged practice session and an almost full-strength team. But Delhi Daredevils showed every bit of the struggle that has been their run-up to the inaugural Champions League T20, despite a 10-run victory over Diamond Eagles in their last practice match before they open their campaign against Victoria Bushrangers on Friday.

Under growing apprehensions about filling the boots of AB de Villiers, Daniel Vettori and Paul Collingwood and inadequate practice, Tillakaratne Dilshan, Gautam Gambhir and most importantly, Virender Sehwag returned to the middle, but walked back with scores of 5, 12 and 2, respectively.

Sehwag’s woes

Sehwag, still coping with the temperature that limited his participation in the Irani Cup, looked iffy during his short stay and didn't field. The failure of the top guns, however, saw Dinesh Karthik and Owais Shah seizing the opportunity and scored 47 and 42, respectively.

Daredevils coach David Saker chose to rest on the positives.

“140 on this wicket isn't a bad score at all. I'm very delighted by the way Owais and Dinesh have stood up in the middle order. Gautam and Dilshan didn't get runs, but I think it's just a matter of time. I will say the same thing for Sehwag. He's hasn't had a match in some time. A player like him just needs two overs to find his touch," Saker told The Indian Express.

"We didn't get the time to play together before the tournament. Glenn McGrath is yet to join the team and we have lost a few players to injuries. Considering all this, we have done really well."

... contd.