CAPE TOWN, April 23: If ever a T20 match was decided in the first few overs this was it. Deccan Chargers were simply unstoppable with both the bat and ball during the powerplay that left Royal Challengers playing catch-up for the rest of the evening on Wednesday.

If the first six overs produced 57 runs and set the tone for the Chargers, the first ball from Fidel Edwards to Jesse Ryder was an emphatic statement. "It was just not another wicket. It was the way we got it. It was the declaration of out positive intent," said skipper Adam Gilchrist after his team recorded a 24-run win over.

Rohit Sharma and R.P. Singh played significant roles in the win and Gilchrist was quick to point out that the positive attitude of the duo was a major factor in the team turning a corner. "They are senior players in the team. It is not easy to handle that responsibility at this age. They have held things together. The work ethics of this team has to be seen to be believed. Especially R.P. who has come back from an injury," added Gilchrist.

The Chargers could not have hoped for better start to their campaign. These are early days yet in the IPL but one thing that has made DC stand out is their top-order coming good even when conditions were in favour of the bowlers. "These are conditions where batting will be tested a bit. It will not be as easy as the sub-continent. The contest between bat and ball has added to the game," said Gilchrist.

V.V.S. Laxman’s form could be a concern but the captain did not wish to think on those lines. Laxman struggled for the second match in a row managing only five in 10 balls. According to Gilchrist there was intent in Laxman’s approach. The finishing in both the wins were not as smooth as it should have been and that is another area the team has to work on quickly. "Like always there will be areas we have to keep identifying. We could have done with a better flourish. That is something that will dominate our team meeting and we are sure that area can be plugged," said Gilchrist. The fifth bowler Harmeet Singh went for 44 runs. In both games the scoring in the first six overs has been largely restricted by Edwards and R.P. but despite that cushion, Harmeet suffered. Barring that the team was impressive.

For a unit that had little backing before the tournament started, to be on the top of the table after two games should be a heady fielding. The Chargers though are not looking too far forward. Even the celebrations were subdued. "We are in the process of something good. The pace of Edwards and the overall effort in the field has lifted the team. It is now a question of continuing in the same vein," concluded Gilchrist.