Trinidad and Tobago 149 for 7 (Perkins 38, Pollard 31, Edwards 3-32) beat Deccan Chargers 146 for 9 (Gilchrist 51, Bravo 3-24) by three runs. Player of the match DJ Bravo (Trinidad and Tobago) In a match that Deccan had to win to qualify for the next stage of the Champions League, the Deccan Chargers bowlers shook off a horribly wayward start and later poor show by bat knock them out of the tournament. Deccan were the champions - to crash out in the first round of the Champions League after losing both their Group A matches. T and T, on the other hand, were unexpected winners of the group and will carry forward two points into the second round by virtue of their win against co-qualifiers Somerset. A gem of an over from Bravo has ensured it is T and T and Somerset who has made it through to the next round. At 125 for 5 with Styris and Rao out in the middle, Deccan was favourite to win this. But it has ended in utter disappointment for them, as they've lost nine out nine games in their home city. Deccan becomes the first IPL team to be knocked out of the tournament. A target of 150 was gettable on this track, but with three run-outs, the loss of Rao at the wrong time, the loss of Gilchrist when he was set and some nervous batting at the death meant they fell short by an agonizing three runs.Two close matches and two defeats - Deccan's failure to shut things down after getting into a position of control, has cost them a place in the next round. Against Somerset, they were on top having reduced the opposition to 99 for 7, and here with Gilchrist and Rohit, and Styris and Rao, they appeared to be on course but let it slip, and badly.Earlier, sent in to bat, the Caribbean side kept losing wickets at regular intervals to squander a flying start. Polard uncorked some lusty shots towards the fag end to lift his side to a competitive total, hitting four sixes in his crucial 31-run cameo off just 14 balls. Perkins' 38 came off 32 balls with the help of six hits to the fence. Fidel Edwards who was barred from bowling in the last match for firing two beamers, made amends by taking three wickets, including one that of … [Read more...]