Symonds was a hero during batting and became villian while Bowling! Warne Spoiled Symond's Century Party!
What a match? It was Symonds who gave Deccan Charger the hope to win with his wonderful batting skills. He dominated the Rajasthan Royals throughout the innings and scored a magnificient century. This is the third century in this tournament. The other two were scored by McCullum and Mike Hussey.
Chasing the target of 215, Rajasthan Royals were not the favorites, though the pitched favored the batsman. Kamran Akmal and Smith opened the innings. The first ball drive from Akmal should have sent Smith back to pavilion as he was short of his crease, but the third umpire found the ball did not touch the bowler Vaas.
Akmal's inning was short and brief as he scored 12 off 9 balls with a four and six. He was caught at point by Bangar of Vaas.
Sending Yousuf Pathan was a good move by skipper Warne. He created the record for fastest fifty in the tournament when he reached the milestone in 21 balls with 2 fours and 6 sixes. He hit Vaas for 2 sixes and four and in the same over Smith hit a six. Vaas conceeded 22 runs in this 3rd over. He then hit RP Singh for a huge six over extra cover to reach his 50. When he tried to clear the boundary, he was caught at long on by Symonds off Kalyankrishna. He was out for 61 off 28 balls with 4 fours and 6 sixes.
Watson did not stay in the crease for long as he was dismissed for 4 in 6 balls.
Shaid Afridi was the pick of the bowlers in terms of taking wickets and also conceding runs. In his first two overs he gave away 17 runs with a wicket. In his thir over, he gave away just 5 runs. Smith reached his 50 in that over in 34 balls with 7 fours and a six.
It was Symond's 2nd over, which added momentum to the innings. Kaif hit 3 sixes--over midwicket, straight over bowlers head, and then over long on. That brought down the target from 76 off 36 balls to 56 off 30 balls.
The next over by Kalyankrishna also went in favor of Rajasthan Royals, who scored 17 runs--Smith scoring a six and a four and Kaif hitting a four over backward point.
At this stage, Rajasthan Royals required 39 in 24 balls. Deccan chargers still had the hope and possibility of registering their first win.
Vaas bowled the 17th over and conceeded 10 runs
With 29 in 18 balls, Shaid Afridi took 2 crucial wickets of well settled batsmen--Kaif caught by Symonds at long on and Smith caught at deep midwicket. Kaif scored 34 off 16 balls and Smith was out for 71 off 45 balls. This should have been utilized well by Deccan skipper Laxman, but the day belonged to Rajasthan. In the same over, Jadeja's catch was dropped by Kalyankrishna at deep midwicket. He took a good catch of the previous ball to send back Smith.
Warne was not able to score runs of the first two balls of Afridi. The first one was a faster one bowled at 115kph and he was beaten by the pace. The next ball pitched on the middle and leg was missed by Warne. Few words were exchanged between the two, which was started by Afridi.
The last ball went to a four off thick outside edge and it beat the short-third man. It was a good over bowled by Afridi, giving away 6 runs and taking 2 wickets.
With 23 to get off 12 balls, RP Singh removed Jadeja in the 2nd ball. In the same over 4th ball, Salunkhe was run out. The ball hit by Warne went straight to Laxman at covers and the runner did not see it and started running. RP Singh gave away just 6 runs
In the last over, Rajasthan Royals required 17 to get with 3 wickets in hand. Laxman picked experienced Symonds to bowl as other strike bowlers completed their quota of four overs.
First ball went to midwicket and Pankaj ran two runs.
The second ball was a low full toss and one run was scored.
With 14 off 4 balls, Warne hit the ball over Symond's head and it crossed the fence.
Tension everywhere. 10 requried off 3 balls.
The fourth ball was a huge six. Warne connected the ball well and it went off the middle of the bat over deep midwicket and went to the second tier.
4 required off 2 balls.
The fifth ball was also a six by Warne. He lead by example. The ball pitched short was well connected, half volley, just over the extra cover rope.
Rajasthan Royals won by 3 wickets with a ball to spare. Warne was the hero!
Earlier, Symonds scored a beautiful century that helped Deccan Chargers reach 214. He reached his 50 in 29 balls with 6 fours and 2 sixes. He along with Rohit Sharma built the innings for the 4th wicket with 111 run partnership of 84 balls.
Symonds did not spare Warne too as he hit him for two sixes. He scored 35 runs out of the total 47 runs given by Shane Warne in his 4 overs.
His huge six of Warne in the 18th over first ball took him to his hundred. He touched this milestone in 47 balls with 9 fours and 6 sixes. He was not out on 117 off 53 balls with 11 fours and 7 sixes and he gained the award of INR 100,000 for hitting highest sixes in this match.
Rohit Sharma played well and scored 36 off 30 balls with 3 fours and 1 six.
Warne picked 2 important wickets--Laxman and Rohit Sharma
The defeat puts Deccan Chargers in trouble with all 3 matches lost. They are yet to open their winning account. Let us hope they do it quickly and get back to form.
Score:
Match 9
Venue: Hyderabad
Date: April 24, 2008
Teams: Hyderabad Deccan Chargers v. Rajasthan Royals
Captains: VVS Laxman and Shane Warne
Toss: Rajasthan Royals and decided to field
Result: Rajasthan Royals won by 3 wickets with 1 ball remaining
Man of the Match: Yousuf Pathan of Rajasthan Royals (India)
Points: Rajasthan Royals-2; Deccan Chargers-0
Score:
Hyderabad Deccan Chargers 214 for 5 in 20 overs (AC Gilchrist 13, VVS Laxman 16, Shahid Afridi 10, A Symonds 117 not out, RG Sharma 36, AS Yadav 16, Extras 6--wide 5, nb 1, MM Patel 4-0-55-0,SR Watson 4-0-32-1,YK Pathan 2-0-20-2,Pankaj Singh 2-0-14-0,SK Trivedi 3-0-37-0,SK Warne 4-0-47-2,D Salunkhe 1-0-9-0) lost to Rajasthan Royals 217 for 7 in 19.5 overs (Kamran Akmal 12, GC Smith 71, YK Pathan 61, SR Watson 4, M Kaif 34, RA Jadeja 1, SK Warne 22 not out, D Salunkhe 1, Pankaj Singh 4 not out, Extras 7--lb 4, wide 2, nb 1, WPUJC Vaas 4-0-42-1,RP Singh 4-0-44-1,PP Ojha 2-0-23-0,D Kalyankrishna 3-0-30-1,Shahid Afridi 4-0-28-3,A Symonds 2.5-0-46-0)
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