IPL 5: Warner ton buries Deccan Chargers

Hyderabad: David Warner scored a brilliant ton and was involved in a record second wicket stand for Delhi Daredevils (189 off 100) to smash the Deccan Chargers all over the park as Delhi chased down Deccan's total in 16.4 overs. Naman Ojha also found his form back as he smashed the first half-century of the season.

Chasing 188-run target, Delhi got off to a worst possible start as they lost Virender Sehwag in the very first over with just four on the board. Warner and Ojha then took the attack to the opposition. Warner powered Delhi past 100 in just nine overs to set the tone. Warner, who smashed seven fours and three sixes in his quick-fire fifty, added unbeaten 100 runs stand with Naman Ojha in just 55 balls to put Delhi on top. The duo then went on to add a record 189 runs for the second wicket.

Warner lathered as many as seven sixes and ten boundaries to remain unbeaten on 109, which came from just 54 balls. Ojha, who had mixed success with the bat this IPL season, chipped in with a fluent 64 off 46 balls, which included five sixes and two boundaries.

Earlier, Cameron White and Shikhar Dhawan each hammered a brisk half-century to take the Deccan Chargers to a formidable total of 187 for 4. Dhawan scorched to 84 off 49 balls with his dashing innings that included nine boundaries and five sixes while White was equally as effective as he bludgeoned his way to 65 off 40 deliveries as the pair put on 126 runs for the third wicket off just 11.4 overs.

Opting to bat first, Dhawan and Daniel Harris (19) gave Deccan a soldi start as the duo dealt in fours right from the beginning but soon Deccan were reeling at 33 for 2. Morne Morkel made the initial breakthrough when he had Daniel Harris caught as mid-off. First down Kumar Sangakkara was also back into the hut quickly after his miscued pull off Varon Aaron ended up in the safe hands of Shahbaz Nadeem at short mid-wicket.

Then, Dhawan and White then joined hands and brought up the fifty in eight overs. Dhawan notched up 37-ball fifty to lead Deccan innings that was studded with four fours and four sixes. It was raining boundaries as Dhawan and White hammered boundaries all over the park which suddenly turned the momentum in Deccan way. Duo took DC past 100 runs in 13 overs with their powerful batting display.

The 26-year-old Dhawan's fine innings was finally ended when he was run out at the keeper's end attempting a second run thanks to a superb direct hit from Shabaz Nadeem at fine-leg. White continued on his merry way and reached his half-century off 33 balls but was dismissed in the final over. JP Duminy ended the innings with a flourish as he ended not out on 13 off nine balls.