IPL An easy opener for Delhi Daredevil

Glenn McGrath’s spell set the trend on a dull night at the Ferozeshah Kotla as Delhi Daredevils thrashed Rajasthan Royals in a match that rarely rose above mediocrity. The contest lacked the flavour and pace of the Indian Premier League matches elsewhere when the batsmen dictated terms to produce a torrent of runs.

An encouraging turnout heralded floodlit cricket at the Kotla even as Bollywood star and Delhi Daredeviles brand ambassador Akshay Kumar made a dramatic appearance when he came sliding down a cable stretched across the ground. He could not complete the distance though. The acrobats and some cycling stunts caught the attention of the spectators but the occasion lacked the aura associated with a carnival.

There was neither entertainment nor cricket at the Kotla, much to the chagrin of the audience. Long spells of inactivity on the field was hardly the kind of advertisement the organisers would have expected even though the home team made a remarkable start to the IPL. The result, an overwhelming victory for Delhi Daredevils, was on expected lines given the depleted strength of Rajasthan Royals.