The only positive for teams running into Delhi Daredevils in the IPL so far has been the sloppy form Virender Sehwag had been in. On the eve of the semi-finals, the skipper found the middle of the bat. Delhi play Deccan Chargers in the first semi-final in Centurion this evening, while Chennai, who finished second, will take on Bangalore Royal Challengers in the second semi-final on Saturday night.

Sehwag admitted that it was important he found some form going into the business end of the tournament. “Yes it was very important for me to come good and get some runs,” he said after his 27-ball 50 decimated Mumbai’s hopes of bagging a consolation victory. “As a batsman, I knew I was just one innings away from a good knock. I haven’t seen any batsman failing in as many innings as I did, so I always expected to get runs.”

In a tournament of many ups and downs, Delhi have looked the safest bet by a long stretch, but there’s a thin line between confidence and complacency that they will need to be wary of. Sachin Tendulkar agreed that the Daredevils had looked the most impressive in the tournament, but felt the best team on the day would win. “Delhi has looked the best side, without doubt. But in this format, it’s a case of having one bad day and the pressure is on you. Instead of hitting sixes, the ball might be caught at long-off. But the good thing for Delhi is that they have done well, and done well consistently,” he said.

... contd.