He walked away a winner. He made a big difference in a short space of time but now those left behind must push on to the playoffs without him.
Kevin Pietersen is back in England getting used to a change in the weather and the type of cricket he is about to play. Gone is the oppressive heat which taxes cricketers’ stamina on a daily basis in the Indian Premier League. Gone, too, the constant pressure to take risks in pursuit of rapid T20 runs.
The former England captain has left Delhi in good stead. While he switches his attention to a forthcoming Test series against the West Indies, the Daredevils lead the IPL standings. Aided by Pietersen’s contribution they are on the verge of securing one of the four playoff berths.
Delhi’s gain has been Deccan’s loss. The Daredevils finished 2011 at the bottom of the pile with just four wins. They have been replaced at the foot of the standings by the Chargers who lost Pietersen in a multi-million dollar deal during the pre-season transfer window.
The investment paid off. Pietersen made his exit among the top-10 run scorers, with a league leading average of 61 and a strike rate approaching the 150 mark. Only his in-form captain Virender Sehwag, with five successive half centuries to his name, has scored more for the Daredevils.
It’s almost time for Delhi to redefine the season’s goals. As in any sport it is important to stay in the moment but given their current position they must be targeting a top two finish. If they can manage that the Daredevils would get a second chance to make the final if they were to lose their first playoff game.
Their next encounter could be a dress rehearsal for the shape of things to come. On Monday, with the benefit of six days rest, Sehwag will lead his troops into battle against their closest challengers. The Kolkata Knight Riders are also well placed to make the playoffs and will want revenge for their rain shortened loss to Delhi in Match 2.
That was the night Morne Morkel served notice. The South African paceman hasn’t looked back since taking 3 for 18 at Eden Gardens. He’s currently the leading wicket taker in IPL5 with 19 victims and clearly another reason why Delhi is leaving its rivals in its wake.
Inevitably the big guns are never far behind. Mumbai and Chennai kicked off the current campaign at the home of the Super Kings. The Indians cruised to an eight wicket win and will want to complete the double when the defending champions visit Mumbai on Sunday.
CSK are doing just enough to keep themselves in the hunt and the addition of Michael Hussey gives them extra depth at a time when they need to hit a consistent streak. Mumbai are hardly hitting the heights in the batting department but Sri Lankan veteran Lasith Malinga is back from injury and has a habit of rising to the big occasion.
Finally, a word of encouragement for Cameron White. The Aussie batsman has struck a rich vein of form – reaching the 70’s in three of his last four innings. It’s entertaining stuff but sadly it’s all too little too late to save the Chargers from another IPL season without the playoffs.