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IPL 2013: Pune sign off with 38-run victory over Delhi

Pune Warriors India beat the Delhi Daredevils by runs to finish eight at the Indian Premier League (IPL), 2013. It was an inconsequential encounter, but both sides were looking to avoid the last spot in the points table.

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IPL 2013: Pune sign off with 38-run victory over Delhi

Pune Warriors India finish eighth in the Indian Premier League 2013 with this victory over Delhi Daredevils © IANS

By Nishad Pai Vaidya

Pune: May 19, 2013

Pune Warriors India beat the Delhi Daredevils by 38 runs to finish eight at the Indian Premier League (IPL), 2013. It was an inconsequential encounter, but both sides were looking to avoid the last spot in the points table.
 
Aaron Finch won the toss and chose to bat first. Pune had only one change as Ashok Dinda came in for Ishwar Pandey. On the other hand, Delhi handed a game to Bharat Chipli and brought back Shahbaz Nadeem.

As usual, Pune got off to a good start. Finch and Robin Uthappa were attacking and used the powerplays well. Even after Uthappa’s dismissal, Finch continued to attack. He was clearing the boundaries with ease and smashed four sixes along the way. He completed his half-century off only 31 balls.

There was a bit of a stutter in the middle as Pune lost Finch and Yuvraj Singh in quick succession. That is when Angelo Mathews in Luke Wright took charge.

Wright was the star in the slog overs. He moved about the crease and created doubts in the minds of the bowlers. He predominantly targeted the leg-side and had luck on his side as even the edges got to the boundary. Yadav was hit for 24 runs in the penultimate over of the innings as even Mathews got into the act.

The last over was relatively quiet as Wright was dismissed for 44. Nevertheless, Pune reached 172 as Raiphi Gomez fetched a cheeky four off the last ball.

Chasing 173 wasn’t going to be easy. But, Delhi needed a win to finish higher than Pune.

Delhi never quite looked in the game as they kept losing wickets at regular intervals. Mahela Jayawardene, David Warner and Virender Sehwag failed yet again as Delhi were staring at another defeat.

A brilliant spell by Ali Murtuza choked the Delhi batting in the middle. That reduced Delhi to 65 for five in 10 overs. He ultimately finished with fantastic figures of four 15 in his complete quota.

Irfan Pathan and Muralidharen Gautam fought hard and completed their 50 run partnership inside seven overs. Gautam in particular was impressive as he showed his class with the bat with a cameo of 30. It would certainly help his prospects for the next season.

The contest meandered towards a Pune finish. There was some drama in the last over as a bullet off Yadav’s bat hit Umpire Simon Taufel. Luckily, it didn’t do much damage. Delhi ultimately finished on 134 for nine.

This game finished disappointing campaigns for both sides and all they can do it look forward to the next year.
 
Brief scores:

Pune Warriors India 172 for 5 in 20 overs (Aaron Finch 52, Luke Wright 44; Siddharth Kaul 2 for 27, Shahbaz Nadeem 1 for 21) beat Delhi Daredevils in 134 for 9 in 20 overs (Muralidharen Gautam 30, Irfan Pathan 24; Angelo Mathews 3 for 14, Ali Murtuza 3 for 15) by 38 runs. 

Man of the Match: Luke Wright

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