Hyderabad Deccan Chargers (166-7 in 20 overs) beat Rajasthan Royals (113 in 19.3 overs) by 53 runs

VAAS SHOWS HIS CLASS

After warming the bench for more than three weeks, being called in to accelerate his team’s run-rate batting at No 6 would have been the last thing Hyderabad’s Chaminda Vaas expected. The veteran Sri Lankan seamer did score a 15-ball 20, but then went back to doing what he does best in his customary role as opening bowler — delivering killer blows to the opposition top-order.

Chasing 167, Rajasthan’s opening combination of Graeme Smith and Swapnil Asnodkar hit another low, as Vaas struck with his first delivery in this edition, trapping Smith lbw for one, before having Lee Carseldine stumped. His early burst left Rajasthan reeling at 19-2.

NO PATHAN HEROICS

The story of almost all Rajasthan’s chases this season has been similar. A top-order collapse followed by a Yusuf Pathan special. While the first part went according to the script, this time Yusuf failed to bring out the big shots, falling to Pragyan Ojha for six, with the team score at 74-4.

With Yusuf’s dismissal went Rajasthan’s chances, as the rest of the batting fell away. Rohit Sharma continued his rich form with the ball, picking up three late wickets and handing Rajasthan a 53-run mauling.

Good start

Earlier, T Suman, promoted to open the innings, gave Deccan a decent start with a 19-ball 29. Andrew Symonds picked up the tempo in the middle overs with a 19-ball 30, but it was Dwayne Smith who was chiefly responsible for Hyderabad crossing the 150-run mark. Smith hit four sixes – all to mid-wicket – in his 32-ball 47.

FORGET THEM NOT

• Yusuf picked up the wickets of Adam Gilchrist, Smith and Vaas in his spell of 3/34.

• Ravindra Jadeja dismissed the dangerous Sharma and Symonds, finishing with 2/26.