Virender Sehwag has all but given up hopes of Delhi Daredevils qualifying for the semifinals of the Indian Premier League this season.
After seven games, with seven more to go, Daredevils is firmly in the cellar of the 10-team points-tally with just two wins. The struggling team now needs to win, at least, five out of its remaining matches to be contention for a place in the semifinals.
Following the team’s 17-run defeat to Kolkata Knight Riders on Thursday night, the Daredevils skipper admitted that his poor form had led the team to such a desperate state.
"It’s difficult (to qualify) and the pressure is on us. We have to pull ourselves and really bat and bowl in the coming games. Nothing is impossible. I have scored only one half-century in seven innings and need to look at my performance,” said Sehwag adding that he would look to spend more time at the crease in the remaining matches.
“If I stay at the wicket for 12 to 15 overs, it will be good for the team,” said the opener. He also said he could send Venugopal Rao and Naman Ojha up the order in the coming games. “Nothing seems to be going our way. None of our plans are working. Twenty20 game is like that only,” was how Sehwag chose to put it.
Gautam Gambhir, the KKR skipper, pointed to his team desperation to win for the narrow victory. He hailed the bowlers for successfully defending 148 and praised Man of the Match Manoj Tiwary. “Manoj set the game up for us. Defending a small target gives you confidence for the games ahead,” said Gambhir.
