Gautam Gambhir rose to the occasion in fine style, scoring a match-winning half-century to guide Delhi Daredevils to a six-wicket victory over Chennai Super Kings on Thursday.
It was burning hot in Chennai and most of the players were suffering from the high humidity factor. But it was Gambhir's determination that stood out as he played an important knock of 57 from 56 balls, inclusive of five boundaries.
He got good support from Mithun Manhas (25 from 32 balls); the duo took Delhi home with an unbroken stand of 75 runs in 70 balls for the fifth wicket.
Ashish Nehra took three for 26 to restrict Chennai to 112 for nine in their 20 overs, but Delhi's top order failed to capitalise.
Delhi's dangerous trio David Warner (0), Virender Sehwag (4) and Tillakaratne Dilshan were out for single figure scores in the first two overs. And it was not surprising that Gambhir chose to take a potshot at them after the match for not taking responsbility and instead getting out by playing reckless shots.
"The top order should have been more responsible. You just cannot get out playing shots and then say it is the way I always play," a fuming Gambhir said.
And rarely did Gambhir panic during the run chase, as just two boundaries came in the first ten overs.
Once they had set the platform, Gambhir and Manhas got the crucial boundaries towards the closing stages and took their team to victory in the penultimate over.
Sure, this knock will do a world of good for Gambhir and help him regain some lost confidence.