IPL 6: MI vs KXIP - Quick Flicks of the match

One ball could have changed the fate of this game. The match between Mumbai Indians and Kings XI Punjab followed the script of a Bollywood thriller. Mumbai took on the Kings XI Punjab, put up a big score and won. It was a foregone conclusion because the Kings XI neither had the stars nor the firepower to challenge the star studded Mumbai side and Mumbai was expected to win easy. But it wasn’t so. Chasing 174 to win, the Kings put up a gritty show that had Nita Ambani praying and the crowd on the edge of their seats.

The game was packed with high voltage action but here are a few moments that stood out.

Toss trouble – flippy fingers!

It was a day where things happened right from the toss. If Virat Kohli forgot the name of his players, Rohit Sharma was a little too eager to flip the coin. Match Referee Javagal Srinath handed the coin to Sharma and the stand-in Mumbai captain flipped it even before Pommie Mbangwa could finish the introductions. Mbangwa caught the coin before it hit the ground, much to the delight of the viewers and Sharma was asked to flip it again. Though both the captains saw the funny side of it, it would have cooked up a controversy if winning the toss would have had an effect on the game.

“Marsh” mellow for Gilchrist

Finally, Gilchrist took the call. After Kumar Sangakkara, Angelo Mathews and Ricky Ponting, Adam Gilchrist bowed out of the team XI in order to help the team’s cause. David Hussey took over the reins of the Kings and a bearded Shaun Marsh replaced the former Australian wicket-keeper. Though Marsh couldn’t add much to the Kings XI score, still it was a fair move because Gilchrist has had a poor IPL with the bat and had shown no signs of returning to his devastating best.

With Ponting being out of favour with the Mumbai Indians, it was sad to see that once the best captain-vice caption combo of Punter and Gilly, now, are struggling to even make the cut. Cricket is a cruel game – hence proved.

Ro”Hit” Sharma – Mr. IPL!

He may not have realised his potential on the international arena but come the IPL, Rohit Sharma is the batsman to fear. He has often been criticised for his inconsistency when playing for India but in franchise cricket, he dons a different avatar. No slogging, no ugly hoicks over mid wicket; he keeps clearing the fence with elan. The captaincy hasn’t affected him and he looks at ease with the added responsibility. Maybe it’s time BBCI allows him to wear his IPL outfit when he goes out to bat for India and with 3 wins in a row as captain, he might just have extended Ponting’s stay at the dugout.

Pollard pouch – another beauty at the boundary!

It wasn’t the best day for the Windies brigade of the Mumbai Indians. If Dwayne Smith struggled to get the ball off the square, Kieron Pollard was lucky to stay unbeaten. The Trinidadian survived a stumping chance, was bowled off a No-ball and then was dropped by Vohra. However, Kieron Pollard turned all that around with a jaw dropping stunner at the boundary. Marsh stepped out to Ojha and lofted him towards the long on boundary. It was a six on any ground but not when Pollard is nearby. A seven feet giant leapt another three feet and then pouched it in his bucket sized palm. If you thought the catch was spectacular, you should check out the celebrations!

Asad’s “Rough” moment – the Mahmood missile!

Azhar Mahmood has been under the radar throughout this IPL, especially with the bat. However, Asad Rauf would have a thing or two to say about that. With Kings staring down the barrel, the former Pakistani all-rounder decided to have a go at Pragyan Ojha. He charged down the track and whacked the ball straight at the umpire. Asad Rauf displayed terrific reflexes and somehow avoided what could have been quite a painful blow. He got up, dusted himself and promptly signalled for a helmet.

No ball? – the dicey call!

An extended arm from the umpire could have changed the entire story of the game and would have seen Punjab walk away with the honors. With 17 to win from the last over, Praveen Kumar came out swinging. Dhawal Kulkarni lost his bearings and dished out a barrage of full tosses. The first one was called a No-ball and it costed two while Praveen Kumar failed to connect the next slower one. The third one was called a wide while the next fetched two. The drama unfolded with the fourth one that could have been called a No-Ball. Kulkarni bowled another full toss and Praveen Kumar missed it. The umpire at the bowler’s end looked at Asad Rauf but the Pakistani umpire was unmoved. Praveen Kumar hit the next full toss for a one handed six while the last, another full toss, landed in the safety of Tendulkar’s hand.

Was that a no-ball? Praveen Kumar thought so. So did Priety Zinta but that’s how the game goes sometimes. One team gets the rub of the green while the other feels hard done by. Mumbai Indians is a team on a roll while Kings XI Punjab needs some inspiration to pep up their chances. Maybe, PZ should start hugging again!