Hat-trick magic for Delhi

Final-over hat-trick gets Delhi back on track for IPL semis.

Last updated: 15th May 2008

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The Delhi Daredevils edged a thrilling 12-run win over the Deccan Chargers of Hyderabad thanks to Amit Mishra's dramatic final-over hat-trick.

The Chargers needed 15 runs to win in their final over as they chased the home side's score of 194, but Mishra struck with his hat-trick with the first three balls of his over to destroy their chances.

The Daredevils badly needed the victory to boost their semi-final hopes after four straight defeats - a run which saw them slump from top of the IPL to outside the top four.

Gautam Gambhir top-scored for Delhi with the Indian opener hitting 79, while Shikhar Dhawan was unbeaten on 68 when Delhi closed on 194-4 from their 20 overs.

Virendar Sehwag was dismissed for a duck in the first over after Delhi were put into bat, but Gambhir and Dhawan combi9ned for 133 runs for the second wicket.

The Chargers had just two wins to their name in the tournament, but Shahid Afridi gave them hope as he finally found his form with swashbuckling 33 from 14 balls when opening up the innings.

Despite their big names the Chargers have struggled so far but decent knock from Herschelle Gibbs (22), Rohit Sharma (35) and Scott Styris (29) kept them in touch.

Venugopal Rao hit 16 in three balls of the 18th over and the Chargers hit ten in the next to leave them needing 15 runs from the last over for a thrilling win.

Up stepped Mishra however, and he got rid of Ravi Teja, Ojha and RP Singh in consecutive balls to seal the win for Delhi.

Mishra finished with match-winning figures of 5-17 from his four overs as Delhi got their semi-final hopes back on track.