Now I know how it feels to be a Delhi Daredevils supporter

As I have detailed previously on this blog I am an IPL virgin with this being the first season that I have watched any of the games.

 

Firstly, I had to decide who to support as watching a competition and supporting none of the teams would be alien to me. In the end I decided to plump for the Delhi Daredevils with the mix of Sehwag, Dilshan, Collingwood (if he ever plays) and Nannes proving irresistible.

 

On making my preference known, I was warned by a number of IPL acolytes that Delhi were perennial underachievers and that I should be prepared to be disappointed. Being a Liverpool FC supporter, I have become accustomed to that since 1990, so if anything that cemented my choice.

 

After the first two matches, I started to wonder what all the fuss was about. Delhi won both games fairly easily and Sehwag lit up the second game against the Rajasthan Royals with some typical blitzkrieg batting.

 

But just like Liverpool in recent years, success was soon followed by dismal failure and the Daredevils were well and truly annihilated by Mumbai Indians yesterday.

 

There was the slight compensation of seeing Sachin Tendulkar deliver another batting masterclass. But I don’t enjoy seeing Wayne Rooney or Didier Drogba torment Liverpool, so my enjoyment was somewhat lessened.

 

There was also the sight of Sehwag and Dilshan opening the batting together, which is nearly as good as seeing Scarlett Johansson and Kylie Minogue in bed together. But it was over before it began and Delhi ended up losing by 98 runs – a massive defeat in T20 cricket.

 

I hope it isn’t a precursor to an inconsistent and disappointing campaign. And also not a bad omen ahead of the Manchester United-Liverpool match on Sunday, but I fear it is.