Adam Gilchrist hit the fastest half-century in Twenty20 cricket Friday to steer the Deccan Chargers into the Indian Premier League final following a six-wicket victory over Delhi Daredevils. Gilchrist scored 85 after reaching his 50 from 17 balls to justify his decision to bowl first as Deccan chased down Delhi's 153-8 with 14 balls to spare at Centurion Park. The former Australia wicketkeeper belted 10 boundaries and five sixes in 35 balls before being dismissed by legspinner Amit Mishra in the 10th over. “It's been a great experience to come back after a year off,” Gilchrist said. “Our plans on this ground worked well for us. The guys played extremely well. Twenty20 cricket, anyone can fancy their chances,” he added of his team's chances in the IPL final at Wanderers on Sunday. “You can be in a total winning position and lose it ... (it's) a two-horse race, anyone can win it.” Deccan lost its first wicket in the second over when Herschelle Gibbs came down the wicket and was bowled by Dirk Nannes for a duck. After Gibbs' dismissal, Gilchrist dominated a second-wicket stand of 69 with Azhar Bilakhia before Bilakhia was beaten on 10 by Mishra's flight to be stumped by Dinesh Karthik in the eighth over. Mishra took 3-19 in four overs. “It wasn't our day today,” Delhi captain Virender Sehwag said. “Gilly batted extremely well. The bowlers didn't have a clue. We tried everything – yorkers, slower balls – but it came to nought. The way Gilly batted we couldn't do anything. Today, he was at his best and you can't stop him.” Andrew Symonds added 24 before being dismissed in the 14th over, caught by David Warner at long on off Mishra. Tirumalsetti Suman (24 not out) and Rohit Sharma (5 not out) then took Deccan home. Earlier, Tillakaratne Dilshan top-scored for Delhi with 65 with opening bowler Ryan Harris taking two wickets for no runs in the first over, dismissing openers Gautam Gambhir and David Warner for ducks. Harris return figures of 3-27 in four overs. Brief scores: Delhi 153-8 (Sehwag 39, Dilshan 65, De Villiers 26 - Harris 3-27, R.P. Singh 2-33). Deccan 154-4 in 17.4 overs (Gilchrist 85, Suman 24 n.o. – Mishra 3-19). IPL promies spectacular grand finale Bollywood superstars Katrina Kaif and Shilpa Shetty will join reggae icon Eddy Grant and R&B singer Akon onstage Sunday as the glitzy Indian Premier League (IPL) wraps up in Johannesburg. The closing ceremony after the five-week Twenty20 extravaganza will take place after the last ball is bowled in the glamorous tournament's final with a fireworks display topping the showcase. “We believe we have put our best foot forward and it's going to be a spectacular show,” IPL chief operating officer Sundar Raman said Thursday. The lineup at the sold-out match includes Indian percussionist Shivamani, a performance by Indian and South African drummers and the crowning of the Miss Bollywood IPL South Africa. The presentation ceremony for the 2009 season winners and runners-up will follow the entertainment. The IPL's eight cricket teams are owned by some of the biggest Bollywood stars and richest people in the world, including Bollywood giants Shah Rukh Khan, Preity Zinta, and Shetty. Khan is one of Bollywood's biggest stars and owns the Kolkata Knight Riders, while Shetty is co-owner of the Rajasthan Royals and a former winner of Celebrity Big Brother. Fellow actress Zinta is part-owner of the Kings XI Punjab franchise. Business tycoon Mukesh Ambani is the head of the fourth-richest family in the world, and owns the Mumbai Indians through his conglomerate Reliance Industries. – AgenciesToday's Match 1730 Chennai Super Kings vs. Bangalore Royal Challengers __
