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This article was first published 11 years ago

'I bluffed and thought that I have been in-form'

Last updated on: April 22, 2013 09:03 IST

Image: Virender Sehwag
Photographs: BCCI

Delhi Daredevils snapped their six-game losing streak in IPL 6 just a day after Vivian Richards joined them as advisor and senior batsman Virender Sehwag straightaway credited his side's thumping win over Mumbai Indians to the legendary West Indian. 

Sehwag, who stroked his way to an unbeaten 95 to guide the Daredevils to a nine-wicket win here, said that, on advice from Richards, he "bluffed" and thought he has the self-belief despite his struggling form. 

"I bluffed and thought that I have been in-form. Viv Richards spoke about bluffing, he said even if a batsman feels scared inside, he should show that he is confident, he has the self-belief. That has helped," Sehwag said after the match. 

'When I'm batting well, I try to control the match'

Image: Virender Sehwag
Photographs: BCCI

Asked about his approach in Sunday's game considering that Delhi have lost all their six games before this match, Sehwag said, "When I'm batting well, I try to control the match. 

"You could say the wind favoured Delhi today. 

"Despite the six losses, we were focused on training hard, maintaining our fitness," he added.

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'Viru batted really well'

Image: Virender Sehwag
Photographs: BCCI

Wearing a big smile, Daredevils captain Mahela Jayawardene said that praised his team-mates for showing despite the six losses on the trot. 

"The guys have shown plenty of character, we stuck together despite the losses. Viru batted really well, it was good to watch him from the non-striker's end," he said. 

"161 (of Mumbai) was a good score, we needed a good start, not lose wickets early as we have done often this season. We needed to set up a platform and we were able to do that today," he said. 

Sehwag hit 13 fours and two sixes

Image: Virender Sehwag
Photographs: BCCI

Sehwag returned to form with a blistering unbeaten 95 to help Delhi Daredevils break the jinx of six straight defeats.

The win, also aided by skipper Mahela Jayawardene's classy 59, breaks Delhi's eight straight defeats, including the two in last year's qualifier and eliminator. 

Chasing a challenging 162, Sehwag and Jayawardene made short work of MI's ordinary bowling attack to help Delhi overwhelm the target with three overs to spare. 

While Sehwag hit a whopping 13 fours and two sixes during his 57-ball knock, Jayawardene decorated his 43-ball innings with eight boundaries and one hit over the fence.