Lack of big partnerships hurt DD: JP Duminy

Delhi Daredevils skipper Jean-Paul Duminy reckoned losing wickets at regular intervals in chase of 150 cost his team in their opening fixture of the eighth edition of Indian Premier League game against Chennai Super Kings at the at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chepauk on Thursday.

DD, who had re-jigged their squad ahead of the season, started well by restricting CSK to 150 for 7 in their 20 overs after the home team had got off to a good start, but the failures of their batsmen barring Albie Morkel (73*) meant that DD fell short of the target by one run and pummelled to their tenth straight defeat in IPL.

"It's a game of small margins, but I am proud of the boys. We will take a lot of learning out of this game. We didn't have big partnerships but still got close. One or two balls more and we would have won it," said Duminy during the post-match presentation, but was quick to praise his two legspinners Amit Mishra and Imran Tahir who gave away just 48 runs from their eight overs, taking two wickets.

"All credit to the spinners for pulling things back in the middle. I am feeling good. Obviously, we would have liked to win today, but it's just the first game. We will take a lot of heart from this game. The turning point was that we didn't have any partnerships and that's why getting that close was a valiant effort," added the DD skipper.

CSK captain MS Dhoni was pleased with his team's performance, but felt they were 15-20 run short. "I think you have to hold onto your nerves, that's what is important. The last ball was in the slot and Bravo probably didn't like it himself. We were probably 10-15 runs short," said Dhoni.

Veteran pace bowler Ashish Nehra bailed CSK out by taking early wickets to derail DD's chase and Dhoni was all praise for the 35-year-old. "'He (Nehra) is good. At times he gets injured, but he bowls well. It's good to see him the way he bowls. He has been with us for the last couple of seasons. He is one of the few Indian bowlers who bowl effortlessly at decent pace," said Dhoni.

Nehra was adjudged the man of the match for his match-winning spell of 4-0-25-3 and said it is important for him and the team to build on this good start. "Every bowler knew that the start was important and I am glad that we did well. It's a T20 game and obviously it is important to make a good start. A good start makes you strong and I am happy to be on the winning side. These two points matter a lot and hope it counts in the end. These are the kind of games you need to win," Nehra said.