7 instances of both openers scoring ducks in an IPL match
In cricket, whenever a player steps on to the field, whatever he has done in the past ceases to count. Every time a batsman takes guard to face the first ball, he fills jitters until he gets off the mark and has his feet and the scoreboard up and running.
A walk back to the pavilion without any runs against one’s name is the worst feeling for any batsman. In case he is the designated opener of his team, his failure means a horrific start to the team’s performance.
Imagine how much pressure a team would come under if both it’s openers fail to score runs and make the long walk back without troubling the scorers.
Here is an account of the seven times such an instance has occurred in the IPL.
#1 Parthiv Patel and Stephen Fleming (Chennai Super Kings)
The first such instance occurred on the 4th of May in the inaugural edition of IPL in 2008. CSK skipper MS Dhoni won the toss and chose to bat in an away game against Rajasthan Royals.
Opening the batting for CSK was the left-handed duo of wicketkeeper Parthiv Patel and Stephen Fleming.
Royals pacer Sohail Tanvir bowled the first ball of the match, a sharp inswinging delivery, to Patel who was trapped right in front of the stumps.
Off the fifth ball of the same over, Tanvir’s guile accounted for the wicket of Fleming, who’s big stride forward was of no use as the umpire raised his finger to what could be called an unlucky decision for the former Kiwi captain.
Man of the Match Tanvir, who went on to win the Purple Cap that season, bowled a dream spell as his figures read 4-0-14-6, the best in the history of the league till date.
His efforts meant that CSK were scuttled out for a paltry 109 which Rajasthan cruised past for a comfortable victory by eight wickets and 34 balls to spare.