Gambhir leads the way

Gautam Gambhir took Delhi to victory with 58 © Getty Images

Gautam Gambhir and Shikhar Dhawan hit unbeaten half-centuries as the Delhi Daredevils got their Indian Premier League campaign off to a winning start against the Rajhastan Royals.

Having restricted their opponents to 129 for eight in their 20 overs, Delhi then took control with the bat as India left-hander Gambhir and Dhawan steered their side to a nine-wicket victory.

Rajhastan won the toss and elected to bat, but Glenn McGrath soon struck for the home side as Taruwar Kohli (seven) steered the former Australia international to Mithun Manhas at silly mid-on.

Yusuf Pathan (10) and Shane Watson (21) were then victims of run outs while Darren Lehmann was trapped lbw by Rajat Bhatia for just a single as Rajhastan stumbled to 47 for four.

Delhi’s bowlers continued to pick up the wickets with Mohammad Kaif making nine before also falling victim to Bhatia with Breet Geeves taking the catch at backward square leg.

And Bhatia claimed his third scalp 10 balls later in Mahesh Rawat, who was bowled for two while playing across the line.

New Zealand’s Daniel Vettori was the next to strike, dismissing Ravindra Jadeja on 29 while captain Shane Warne was the last wicket to fall for Rajhastan, succumbing to Farveez Maharoof after a battling 14.

Delhi’s response went almost without a hitch. Captain Virender Sehwag was an early casualty, falling to Watson for 12 in the second over, but Gambhir and Dhawan led Delhi’s charge with a second-wicket stand of 112.

Gambhir hit seven fours and a six on his way to an unbeaten 58 while Dhawan smashed eight boundaries in his 52 from 41 balls.

Rajhastan’s bowlers were unable to find an answer to the duo, who guided Delhi to their target of 130 with almost five overs to spare.