Virender Sehwag flattered to deceive

The 3rd edition of the IPL has reached its fag end with the culmination of the group stage.

The qualification of the four teams -- Mumbai Indians, Deccan Chargers, Chennai Super Kings and Royal Challengers Bangalore -- is also an indication of the fact that these teams played the 'pressure points' better than the four that failed to make it past the initial stage.

While teams like Delhi Daredevils and Kolkata Knight Riders have only themselves to blame, they had plenty of riches within their ranks for their vapid show, others like Rajasthan Royals and Kings XI Punjab neither had the firepower nor the form to help their cause.

These four teams, which failed to make it, paid the price for the lack of form of their key players, names which promised a lot, but delivered a little.

Virender Sehwag (Delhi Daredevils)

Matches: 14
Runs: 356
Highest: 75
Average: 25.42
S/R: 163.30
100s: 0
50s: 3

It is disappointing to see a name like his (Virender Sehwag) at the start of this list. He was indeed one of the biggest disappointments of the third edition.

The stats above are an apt indicator of how much the 30-year-old struggled to assert himself in the tournament.

His highest score in the tournament -- 75 off 34 balls vs Rajasthan Royals at Motera -- was also his lone match-winning effort in the tournament.

His two other 50-plus scores -- 74 vs Chennai Super Kings and 64 against Kolkata Knight Riders -- came in losing causes.

More importantly, the one factor that fans always expect from Sehwag's batting is flamboyance. That was found lacking in the last few weeks.