World Of Sports

Virender Sehwag smashed 47 off 19 balls as the Delhi Daredevils eased to a five-wicket victory over the Bangalore Royal Challengers.

The result sees Bangalore's faint hopes of progressing to the semi-finals ended, but Delhi remain on course to finish in the top four.

After restricting the hosts to 154-7 in their 20 overs, Delhi quickly set about chasing down that total, with Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir putting on 90 for the first wicket.

Sehwag was the first to be dismissed after the Delhi captain had hit 10 boundaries out of the 19 balls he faced in his brief, yet explosive innings.

With the Indian opener setting his sights on another boundary, Bharat Chipli sprung expertly at point to take a stunning catch and send the Daredevils opener on his way.

Delhi added another 10 runs to their total before Gambhir was run out for 39, trying to beat Cameron White's throw to turn a single into two runs.

Tillakaratne Dilshan made only four off 10 balls before he was stumped by Shreevats Goswami and AB de Villiers soon followed him back to the pavilion - caught behind after scoring a brisk 21 from 25 balls.

Despite Dinesh Karthik perishing for just six, Shikhar Dhawan (16no) and Farveez Maharoof (13no) came in to carry Delhi over the line and dash any Bangalore hopes of an unlikely turnaround.

Delhi's fast pace was in stark contrast to Bangalore's innings. Opener Chipli made just two runs off the 10 balls he faced before sending a top edge into the hands of Rajat Bhatia, who held on despite losing his footing.

Jacques Kallis set brief early momentum for the hosts, but he went for 25 soon after, edging behind to Dinesh Karthik.

Out of sorts Challengers captain Rahul Dravid then followed for just nine, clean bowled by Dilshan, leaving Bangalore at 73-3 with more than 10 overs bowled.

The run-rate did not improve and Bangalore had barely passed the 100 mark when Goswami went early in the 16th over - out for a well-crafted 52 as he was caught by Dilshan at point.

White, Balachandra Akhil, and Praveen Kumar all went cheaply as the hosts crumbled, but Misbah-ul-Haq did at least restore some pride towards the end, hitting 24 off the last over - including three sixes.