Match 21: Bangalore Royal Challengers Wins the Thriller by 3 Runs!

Put into bat, Bangalore Royal Challengers though seemed to struggle in the home ground, finally won by 3 runs. The last 5 overs required 45 runs with Laxman and Rohit Sharma in the crease.

Steyn bowled a tight 16th over where he gave just 3 runs. Sharma scored 2 runs of the fours balls he faced and Laxman scored 1 off the 2 balls.

With 42 from 24 balls, Rohit hit a six, and a four of the first two balls of Kallis to reduce the target to 32 from 22 balls. The next two balls were single and Rohit was out in the fifth ball. He was caught at long on by Jaffer for a well made 57, his third fifty of IPL, in 42 balls with 5 fours and 3 sixes.

With 3 overs and 29 required, Praveen dismissed Afridi in the first ball. He hit it over long on, where Steyn covered huge ground running from long on to almost mid-on to take a superb forward diving catch, a crucial one.

The next four balls were singles, but Laxman fell of the last ball. He played across on the ball that almost pitched on the leg and Laxman tried to play it on the onside got trappd in front. He was out for a well made 52 off 44 balls with 7 fours.

25 runs required from 12 balls, Zaheer Khan got Styris leg before for 2. The sweep by Styris of the slower ball did not materialize as he was found plumb in front of the wicket. 11 ball, 25 runs. All the five balls were singles and Zaheer produced a beautiful 19th over under pressure.

Last over was bowled by Indian test skipper Anil Kumble. The first two balls were singles scored. The third ball gave hope to Deccan Chargers were Bangar hit a six over extra cover. Came down the track and hit a flat six.

The fourth ball was also a six. The full toss was sent over mid wicket for another 6 bringing down the target to 6 runs of two balls.

Kumble, the experienced campaigner, just gave a run in the next delivery. Boucher misses the hit at the stumps, when the inside side onto his pads.

Last ball, 5 runs, Yadav, the yorker length delivery went to deep midwicket for a single and Bangalore Royal Challengers win by 3 runs. Earlier, Gilchrist fell cheaply for 10 caught at deep square leg, just inches inside the rope. Though the momentum took him few steps behind, he ensure that he is still inside the rope to take a wonderful catch to get rid off the dangerous batsman Gilchrist.

Gibbs did not make use of this match as well. He hit a four and then got out in the next over for 5. He tried to pull the short ball from Praveen Kumar's first ball, but it came late and the ball lobbed to mid off for a simple catch to Kumble.

Rohit, owner of two fifties in this IPL, joined his skipper. End of power play, 6th over, Deccan Chargers were 33 for 2. It was Sharma who started giving momentum by hitting a six of Kumble's first over and then two fours of Praveen. After that, they were playing singles to reach 63 in 10 overs.

Laxman hit three fours of Kumble in the 12th over. This opened the chance for Deccan Chargers to eye for the victory. Sharma hit a six of Praveen's over, but that over added just 7 runs. With 60 runs from 42 balls and 8 wickets in hand, every chance was with Deccan Chargers. The next two overs added 15 runs to the total to reduce the target to 45 from 30 balls and finally they lost by 3 runs.

Both Laxman and Rohit crossed half-century for Deccan Chargers.

Earlier, Jaffer and Chipli opened the innings with Chipli hitting 2 continuous fours in the 2nd over bowled by RP Singh and was bowled in the next ball. Jaffer and Kohli built the innings with a 72 run partnership of 54 balls.

Jaffer hit few good fours and Kohli also joined the party. He was caught at extra cover by Gibss off Ojha for 44 off 37 balls with 6 fours.

Kallis started off with a flick to fine leg for a boundary was bowled by Ojha. The flighted delivery pitched leg and middle deceived Kallis and he missed the line and was bowled for 6.

Kohli's irresponsible shot sent him to pavilion in the next over leaving Bangalore struggle at 104 for 4 in the 14th over.

Mibah-ul-Haq was trapped leg before off Afridi. The umpire was convinced but not the TV replays. Boucher and skipper Dravid had to carry on and put on a good score.

At the end of 15 overs, Bangalore Royal Challengers were 114 for 5. Afridi bowled a very tight line not giving any room for the batsman. The 17th over by Styris costed only 4 runs and the 18th over by Afridi added another 4. With 130 on the board and 2 overs to go, skipper Dravid had to open his shoulders for big shots.

Boucher hit a four and got out. Praveen Kumar, the new batsman hit two fours of the last two balls of RP Singh to take the score to 143 for 6.

Dravid hit a six of Styris and scored a single in the next ball. Praveen was run out in the next ball. He was looking at his shot and the ball when he played a scoop over short leg. It was Dravid's call and he rightly came to batting crease where Praveen was watching the fielder. He started late and didn't reach the crease on time.

Dravid hit a six of the penultimate ball and got out in the last ball for a well made 26 in 19 balls with 1 four and 2 sixes.

Praveen Kumar was declared man of the match for picking 3 wickets in his four overs giving away 23 runs.

Match 21
Venue: Bangalore
Date: May 3, 2008
Teams: Bangalore Royal Challengers and Hyderabad Deccan Chargers
Captains: Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman
Toss: Hyderabad Deccan Chargers and decided to field
Result: Bangalore Royal Challengers won by 3 runs
Man of the Match: Praveen Kumar off Bangalore Royal Challengers (India)
Points: Bangalore Royal Challengers-2; Hyderabad Deccan Chargers-0
Score:
Bangalore Royal Challengers 156 for 8 in 20 overs (B Chipli 10, W Jaffer 44, V Kohli 38, JH Kallis 6, Misbah-ul-Haq 3, R Dravid 26, MV Boucher 16, P Kumar 8, Z Khan 0 not out, Extras—5 (lb 3, wide 2), DP Vijaykumar 3-0-18-0, RP Singh 4-0-41-3, SB Styris 4-0-29-1, Shahid Afridi 4-0-23-1, PP Ojha 4-0-28-2, SB Bangar 1-0-14-0) beat Hyderabad Deccan Chargers 153 for 6 in 20 overs (AC Gilchrist 10, VVS Laxman 52, HH Gibbs 5, RG Sharma 57, Shahid Afridi 1, SB Styris 2, AS Yadav 3 not out, SB Bangar 17 not out, Extras—6 (b 1, lb 3, wide 2), DW Steyn 4-0-20-0, Z Khan 4-0-24-2, P Kumar 4-0-23-3, A Kumble 4-0-47-0, JH Kallis 4-0-35-1)

Dhoni Proves His Worth!

Dhoni, the highest paid cricketer in the IPL with 6 crorers, proved in the Chennai Super King's victory why he is costly. He did not say this openly in an interview or press conference, but through his batting and leadership skills.

In the recent match against Bangalore Royal Challengers played in Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bangalore, he saved Super Kings the victory through his quick fire 50 and wonderful captaincy.

When Chennai was struggling with estimated score of 150 to 160 at 10 runs per over in the last 5 overs. In fact, at the end of 10 overs, Chennai were 65 for 2. They scored 37 runs in the next 5 overs to take the score 102 for 3 in 15 overs.

Dhoni entered the pitch in the 13th over and did not score any runs in the first four balls he faced. Dhoni launched his first attack in the 15th over, where he hit Steyn 2 continuous fours. His first six was of the bowling of Kallis. He hit it over long off and went to the second tier.

The fire work started in the 19th over bowled by Steyn. End of 18 overs, Chennai were 140 for 3 with Dhoni ready to face Steyn. His normal luck of bowling a wide and then taking a wicket did not work against Dhoni. He hit the first ball to a four over Steyn's head; the second ball was a full toss, which took the outside edge and flew to third-man boundary--very lucky; third ball was a six over mid wicket; fourth ball was a four beating fielder in deep mid wicket; fifth ball was another four at long off, the misfield helps Dhoni to get another four and last ball was a single;

The 19th over added 24 runs to the score board and took Chennai to 164 for 3. The 20th over was bowled by Zaheer Khan.

First ball was a slower ball and no run was scored;
Second ball was a four hit like a bullet through square leg;
Third ball was a six over mid wicket; slower ball was picked well by Dhoni;
Fourth ball was a four through longon;
He was out in the next ball trying to slog, but it went high in the air and was caught at extra cover. Last ball was another wicket, when Hussey tried to slog, he was caught at mid wicket.

Chennai ended up with 178 for 5 in 20 overs. Scoring 76 runs in the last 5 overs, especially 38 runs in the last 2 overs. What an innings by Dhoni? Didn't he prove that he is worth for that money?

Match 9: Warne's spoils Symonds Century Party in a Thriller!

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)