The script could not have gone better for a cricket fan. The Delhi Daredevils and Rajasthan Royals clash in the IPL at the Ferozeshah Kotla had more twists and turns than a Hollywood potboiler.

In its fifth home match, which started with some rabble-rousing strokeplay and drifted to a predictable path before closing as a humdinger, Daredevils, which made 152 for six, held its nerve to pip Rajasthan by one run on Sunday.

Disappointing end Ajinkya Rahane's outstanding effort with the bat, an unbeaten 84 off 63 balls, met with a disappointing end as Daredevils wicketkeeper Naman Ojha's underarm throw, following the last ball of the Rajasthan innings, hit the stumps with Owais Shah falling short of the crease.

Daredevils' seventh win, fourth at home, bolstered its position at the top of the table with 14 points. It was a one-man show from captain Virender Sehwag (63) after he called the coin correctly and elected to bat. He remained unperturbed despite the early departure of Mahela Jayawardene and Kevin Pietersen, who was making his last appearance before the home crowd.

Sehwag flourishes Sehwag flourished with his impeccable timing and superb placement. Two fine boundaries on the leg-side off Pankaj Singh's initial overs demonstrated his fine form. Later, the home skipper cut the same bowler and followed it up with a pull to score back-to-back fours and celebrate his fourth half-century on the trot and claim the orange cap.

When Sehwag looked set to demolish the Rajasthan bowling, pressure built on at the other end as the visiting bowlers kept it tight and did not allow Ross Taylor to free his arms. In his attempt to improve the run rate, Sehwag fell to Hogg. Ashok Menaria took a diving catch in front on the off side.

That propelled the Rajasthan bowlers who tightened the noose further to stifle Daredevils' progress. Yogesh Nagar's late charge, including two sixes and a four in the last over of the innings, was crucial in taking Daredevils past the 150-mark. Smooth sailing Rajasthan sailed smoothly as Rahul Dravid and Rahane followed a well laid out plan.

They made no mistake in sending the loose balls to the boundary. Otherwise, they were content to work the ball around and keep the scoreboard ticking. Rahane put the ball in the gaps to score his second 50 the tournament and wrest the orange cap from Sehwag. With Dravid, Rahane put on 99 runs for the opening stand.

The Rajasthan captain, who battled cramps, played some classy strokes in the 40 valuable runs he contributed for his team. He was in for a shock when umpire Rod Tucker raised his index finger following a caught-behind appeal by Irfan Pathan. Tucker, who had given Dravid out on the impression that the batsman was walking, quickly rectified his mistake.

Dravid finally went back to the dug-out when Ajit Agarkar took a stunning catch on the long-on rope. Backed by the vociferous crowd, the Daredevils bowlers' never-say-die attitude kept the side in contention till the end. ‘Morkel turned the game' Rajasthan Royals skipper Rahul Dravid said the 19th over, bowled by Morne Morkel, turned the game around in favour of Delhi Daredevils on Sunday.

“It was disappointing to lose from that position. We had the game in our hand till the 18th over. Morne bowled a great over, you have to give him credit. He just bowled really well, it's not like he gave us scoring opportunities, he nailed his yorkers,” Dravid said at the post-match press conference.

Dravid said Rajasthan should have finished the game much earlier. “But we will have to bounce back (from this defeat), we have no other option.” Dravid backed Ajinkya Rahane for his fine unbeaten 84 and his bowlers for sticking to the task. Disappointed “Rahane's very disappointed. He tried his best, he's batting extremely well this year in the IPL. If he carries on in the same vein, he will surely do well for the Indian squad.”