Kings Win Battle In Super-Over

Posted by Chinmay in IPL on 03 22nd, 2010 | one response

kXIP-2 Finally they caught what was eluding them. Holding the nerves is such an important thing in any sport and that is what Kings of Punjab did in the first match of IPL’s third season which was decided in a super-over. In all their previous fixtures they let go the game in a plot of 2-3 overs, but it wasn’t the case last night.

Before all the drama of Super Over, Punjab managed to put meager 137. Thanks to brilliant batting from Patahn and Yuvraj. At last the southpaw came to his striking best with the score of 43 in just 28 deliveries, hitting 4 beautiful fours and two stupendous blows clearing the ropes. Pathan started well tried his best but got out on 39 trying to score quickly. Veteran off spinner Muralidharan was magical. He took 3 wickets and finished with 4-0-16-3. Albie Morkel gave perfect support from other end, restricting Punjab to a 137 runs.

137 runs in 20 overs looked like a cakewalk for a booming batting line-up of Super Kings. Hayden once again provided Chennai a good start with Parthiv -an opening stand of 65 in 8.4 overs. And even after fall of four wickets in quick succession for 39 runs only they looked like cruising to victory. Then it was some fantastic display of pace bowling by protean Juan Theron which restricted Chennai’s batsmen from overtaking the target of 137 runs in 20 overs. They just managed the tally which opponents posted.

At half way through match everyone thought it will be an easy win for CSK and 4^th consecutive loss for Punjab. But the IPL excitement touched the pinnacle in low scoring game – courtesy a disciplined KXIP on field.

The game was to be decided in super-over for the first time this season. Super Kings were to bat first and nominated Morkel, Hayden, Raina to bat in super-over and Murali to bowl a super-over. Punjab nominated Juan theron to bowl and Yvraj, Pathan and a surprising choice of Mahela to bat.

Drama came off as: -

Super-over of Chennai’s innings

Ball 1: – A length delivery on middle and leg, Morkel edged it to third man for single and Hayden with Mongoose in his hand was on strike.

Ball 2: – Theron kept it straight – a slower ball, Hayden swung across the line, missed it and the stumps were down.

Ball 3: – Raina smashed the length ball, and managed to get 2 runs

Ball 4: – Again a length ball, this time Theron varied the pace but Raina picked it and placed it out of the ground over mid wicket for SIX.

Ball 5: – Raina swung his sword again but top edged it and Mahela didn’t miss it and Chennai was all out in super-over with one ball to go.

Punjab needed 10 runs from 6 deliveries to be bowled by magician Muttiah Muralitharan.

Super over of Punjab’s innings

Ball 1: – SIX!!! Mahela played a beautiful shot down the ground beating long-on for six and changed the equation to 4 runs to win from 5 balls.

Ball 2: – Mahela tried to repeat the shot but failed to clear long on and CSK got their first wicket.

Ball 3: – Yuvraj was on strike; he tried to sweep the ball but missed it, a dot ball was like a gold dust in Super-over

Ball 4: – Next ball Yuvraj opted for reverse sweep. And Ball went past fine leg and reached the boundary line and KXIP won the thriller in super-over.

Surely Juan Theron was star of the match and adjudged Man of the Match. He has added strength to bowling unit who missed Breet Lee in first 3 games. Theron has done well in domestic cricket and looks like man on which KXIP can rely now. For KXIP it’s good that Yuvraj is back in form. And also with this win they have got the momentum which is very important in this format and if KXIP can carry on this momentum there will be no stopping for this star stunned unit.

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