Karthik rues "big time loss" of Gambhir

Cuttack:

Three losses on the trot without Gautam Gambhir, Delhi Daredevils stand-in skipper Dinesh Karthik on Sunday conceded that the absence of their regular captain had affected the fortunes of his side in the Indian Premier League.

Gambhir suffered a hamstring injury just after the start of Daredevils' 98-run loss to Mumbai Indians at home and since that match Karthik led the side to two other defeats including against Deccan Chargers here on Sunday.

"Gautam Gambhir is a big player and he makes a lot of difference at the top of order. We are missing him big time," Karthik said after Daredevils' 10-run loss to Deccan Chargers here.

"Twenty20 is a difficult format and we have not been doing well at the moment. After Gambhir was injured we have lost three in three under me. I have been left to face all these," he added.

Deccan Chargers captain Adam Gilchrist said he was happy that domestic young players were doing well for his side.

"We get good performance from youngsters like Rahul Sharma (2/42) did well in bowling. We have won two in two at home and we have the winning momentum going on," he said.

Man-of-the-match Andrew Symonds, who made a 24-ball 35 with the bat and took three wickets for 21, said he was happy with his contribution for the team.

"I am enjoying Twenty20 cricket. I guess shorter the format better is for older people," he quipped.

"I could not do well for Queensland (in Australia) but am happy here doing well for Deccan Chargers. We have the winning momentum going on. That is great," he said.