Sehwag century takes the game away from Deccan Chargers

Virender Sehwag scored 119 off just 56 balls last night.

Captain Virender Sehwag's blazing century led Delhi Daredevils to a nail-biting four-wicket win over Deccan Chargers at Hyderabad last night.

Batting first, the Chargers looked well on top with their imposing 175-run total, crafted largely by Sehwag's counterpart Kumar Sangakkara (44 off 36) and JP Duminy (55 off 31).

However, despite his side being left reeling on 25 for three, Sehwag (119 off 56) ripped through Deccan's bowling - smashing 13 boundaries and half-a-dozen sixes - in a monumental recovery that saw Delhi snatch victory with one over left.

Deccan had Delhi struggling with the bat, as Aaron Finch, Naman Ojha and Venugopal Rao were removed inside six overs.

Sehwag then began the rescue act, carting Ishan Malhotra for 23 en route to his 50 - he was also dropped twice - and continued to plough on despite Travis Birt's (four) departure.

In fact, his assault only intensified, as he almost single-handedly took Delhi from 92 at the end of 11 overs to 152 in the next five before Dale Steyn at last had him caught behind. By that time it was too little too late.

A disheartened Sangakkara said: "It [175] was an excellent score but Viru took it away from us." Sehwag said he had learned to play "fearless cricket".

* Compiled by The National staff with agencies