The result was in contrast to Delhi Daredevils’ run in the competition, as they slipped to their third defeat in as many games despite a counter-attack from captain Dinesh Karthik.
Symonds’ effort was backed up by an attacking knock from Rohit Sharma, who burst into spotlight after a quiet start to the competition to take Deccan to a challenging score, which proved just about adequate for them to continue their winning ways.
Deccan will look back at three stages where they came up trumps to snatch the game.
They ensured the task of posting a competitive total was achieved, as Rohit Sharma and Tirumalasetti Suman added 60 in quick time after three threatening innings by Deccan’s overseas batsmen – Adam Gilchrist, Herschelle Gibbs and Symonds – had been cut short by timely changes in bowling; they fought back in the middle overs after David Warner and AB de Villiers had combined to give Delhi a strong foundation for a successful chase; and they saw off a late scare from Karthik, who blasted 46 off 27.
Symonds, bowling seam-up, bagged two wickets, including Karthik, off successive balls in the penultimate over to help seal a tight win.
The start to Delhi’s chase was encouraging, as Warner began in ruthless fashion and followed that up with steady progress once the restrictions were lifted, underlining his determination to see his team through. While reaffirming his reputation as a big hitter, smashing four fours and two sixes in the first two overs, he proved equally adept nudging the ball around for singles and twos in the later overs.
Chaminda Vaas, among the most economical bowlers in the tournament, was taken for nine in his opening over. His partner RP Singh continued to be expensive, wilting to a brutal assault from Warner who alternated between clearing the ropes and drilling the bowler to the long-off boundaries. A length delivery was sent over long-on and when RP held back to bowl short, he was flat-batted over point for another six.
Deccan, though, got rid of a major obstacle early in the chase, as Virender Sehwag suffered a rare lapse, miscuing Pragyan Ojha to be caught superbly by Gibbs. But de Villiers kept Warner good company, supporting him in a 51-run stand that gave Delhi the upper hand with two set batsman in the middle.
The partnership’s end, however, marked a decisive moment in Delhi’s chase. Warner attempted an impossible run, to be caught short at the striker’s end; de Villiers soon fell, bowled off a full toss from Rahul Sharma in the 13th over, and when Mithun Manhas skied the same bowler to Suman 14 balls later, the game had turned Deccan’s way. Moises Henriques, struck two fours but sliced Symonds to RP Singh at point to make it 132 for 5 in the 17th over.
