Deccan Chargers reach IPL 2010 semi-finals

The defending IPL champions, Deccan Chargers, confirmed their place in the semi finals. All thanks to a fantastic 11 run victory over the Delhi Daredevils to increase their winning streak to five games. They have been on the verge of elimination half way through the tournament.

The Chargers amazing come back has seen them claim victories over the Royal Challengers Bangalore (twice), Chennai Super Kings and Kings XI Punjab to set up a must win clash against the Daredevils. Deccan Chargers are now guaranteed to finish second in the IPL group standings while the DareDevils are left to contemplate on what might have been as they miss out the semi-finals for the first time in the IPL's three year history.

Deccan Chargers set a target of just 146 for victory. The Daredevils' top order suffered another terrible start tonight as they lost David Warner, Virender Sehwag and Tillakaratne Dilshan at early stages of their innings. In less than four overs, Daredevils were reduced to 25 for loss of 3 wickets. Warner was the first to go. He was caught by Rohit Sharma in the slips. Sehwag was next to go. He was also caught by Sharma in the slips. Dilshan completed the top order collapse when he was trapped LBW by Harmeet Singh.

Gautam Gambhir and Mithun Manhas were left at the crease to rebuild the innings. Gambhir was unable to stay for longer time. Another fantastic diving catch by Sharma was enough to dismiss the Daredevils' skipper Gambhir as he tried to smash Pragyan Ojha's third delivery of the innings through short mid off to leave the home side 39 for loss of 4 wickets.

Manhas was joined by Paul Collingwood at the crease. The pair built a partnership of 29 runs off 33 balls as the Chargers' spinners were taking control of the game. With the run rate slowing the pressure got to Manhas. He ran himself out after calling Collingwood through for a quick single. Manhas hesitated in the middle of the wicket and with Collingwood fully committed Manhas was run out at the non strikers end for 23.

Dinesh Karthik quickly followed him as the Daredevils were now in free fall having been reduced to 72 for loss of 6 wickets with the home side still needing another 74 runs from just 43 balls.

Harmeet Singh picked up his second wicket of the night to remove Amit Mishra as the Chargers closed in on a crushing victory. Collingwood remained at the crease bring up his half century with a huge six but the asking rate was too high for him to guide Daredevils for an unlikely victory.

Andrew Symonds received the Man of the Match award for his knock of 54. Rohit Sharma received the 'kamaal catch' award. Andrew Symonds also received the 'maximim sixes' award.