Catches win Deccan Chargers the match against Pune Warriors

Catches win matches is an old saying cricket. And on Thursday Hyderabad took three good catches that gave them a well-deserved 18-run win over Pune at the Subrata Roy Sahara stadium on Thursday night, says a report in The Times Of India.

“Hyderabad scored 177-4 after opting to bat and then restricted the hosts to 159-7.  Substitute Daniel Harris, who fielded for Pune’s top-scorer Cameron White (78, 46b, 6x4s, 5x6s) first took a straight forward catch at mid-wicket to get rid off Jesse Ryder. He then held Sourav Ganguly’s full-blooded shot superbly at head height at extra-cover. Captain Kumar Sangakkara, who had read the wicket better than his counterpart Ganguly, showed his alertness to catch Marlon Samuels (in for Luke Wright) on top of the circle at extra cover. And JP Duminy caught danger-man Steve Smith (26 off 13 with three sixes), sliding at long-on,” adds the TOI report.

Meanwhile The Hindu reports that Cameron White's lifted Chargers' spirits with a savage 78 off 46 balls, giving the bowlers a 177-run cushion to prey on the home team batsmen. PWI's effort was not good enough and it ended up at 159 for 7 in 20 overs.

Left-arm spinner Ankit Sharma scalped opener Jesse Ryder before right-arm medium-pacer Ashish Reddy struck a double blow to dismiss Robin Uthappa and Marlon Samuels. Juan Theron justified his inclusion in skipper Kumar Sangakkara's game-plan with a two-wicket burst.

According to The Tribune, Deccan bowlers rose to the occasion for the first time in IPL season five as Pune lost wickets at regular intervals to be restricted to 159 for seven at the Subrata Roy Sahara Stadium.

Debutant Ashish Reddy (2/32) and Rusty Theron (2/37) starred with the ball for Deccan, picking up two wickets apiece. The victory is Deccan first win in this year's IPL after five straight loses and a wash out game.

Meanwhile DNA writes that Deccan Chargers flashed smiles on Thursday and why not? They were finally on board after defeating Pune Warriors by 18 runs. “Chasing 178, Warriors were never in the game. Steven Smith’s late blitz did give them hope, but the Chargers’ bowlers, unlike in the past matches, managed to hold their nerve despite the absence of Dale Steyn. Pune Warriors need an urgent solution to fix their bowling woes. Their batting has been up to the scratch, but the same can’t be said about their attack that conceded 177. The Chargers were 117 for four at one stage, but were able to consolidate, courtesy Cameron White’s 78 off just 56 balls.”