Deccan Chargers captain Adam Gilchrist lamented his side's Indian Premier League collapse against the Delhi Daredevils in Durban today, describing it as "cricket suicide".

The Australian opener and his countryman Andrew Symonds hit 64 and 41 respectively to lay a perfect platform at 149 for three in pursuit of 174.

But Rajat Bhatia turned in an inspired bowling display, claiming four for 15 as Deccan lost their last seven wickets for 12 runs in a mere 17 balls to be dismissed for 161.

"In the field and then with the bat at the end, we committed cricket suicide," said Gilchrist, who was also referring to several dropped catches his side had put down while fielding.

Delhi tie semis spot

"We've played really good cricket again, but just missed out there at the end. We handed the victory away with bat and ball.

"You can't turn up at a cricket match and catch and field like that. Delhi were good enough to win the game at the end, but I didn't see any magic from them. We just gifted the game away, so it was just disappointing."

Rohit Sharma, Dwaraka Ravi Teja and Symonds all put down straightforward chances in the field and Gilchrist was now hoping his side, who are still well in contention for a semi-final berth, can lift themselves for their remaining three games.

He added: "We've prided ourselves on maintaining a high level of fielding, which wasn't there today and it's something we need to work on.

"It wasn't ideal to release those two points today, but we're still in the mix.

"We can still do it"

"Everyone knows how tight it is, but we're still in the contest and need to continue the hard work."

In contrast, Delhi became the first side to secure their place in the semi-finals, thanks to what turned out to be a match-winning total which was set up by Dinesh Karthik (44 not out), Tillakaratne Dilshan (37) and AB de Villiers (44).

Skipper Virender Sehwag then marshalled his troops impressively in the field with Bhatia and Pradeep Sangwan (three for 18) leading the way.

He said: "I was pretty happy with the total, and knew with the kind of bowling we have that we could defend it.

"They almost took it away"

"But Adam Gilchrist and Andrew Symonds played really well and we knew that we didn't have any chance when they were batting.

"But Pradeep Sangwan bowled really well and took three wickets. Then at the end Rajat Bhatia bowled nicely, I rely on him because I know he can bowl good yorkers and the slower ones. So it's a good win for us."