IPL 6: RR vs KKR – The Quick Flicks
Cautious start for RR
Slow starts and lacklustre powerplays have been the order of the day in this year’s IPL (except for the Kings XI Punjab against Pune), and this match was no different. The Rajasthan Royals’ batting started on a cautious note and managed only 35 in the first six overs for the loss of one wicket. ‘The Wall’ was breached immediately after the powerplay, when Dravid tried to work a straight Bhatia delivery across the line and missed. The sluggishness continued somewhat till the 18th over, and only then were the shackles broken.
Watson breaks his willow
Having driven the previous delivery for a boundary over extra cover, Watson tried to do the same the very next delivery, but only managed to find a receptive Eoin Morgan accepting the catch. Later, it came to light that Watson had broken his bat’s handle while trying to play that drive, hence the simple offering to Eoin, and KKR managing their first breakthrough.
SMS smoked
The insects too were having a ball day at the Sawai Man Singh Stadium in Jaipur, so much so that chemicals had to be sprayed around the park that enveloped and covered it in a cloud of smoke. Play had to be stopped, and almost as if on cue, the prudent umpires took the strategic time-out.
Rahane steers the RR ship, Hodge saves the day
Rahane’s innings was nothing short of a Dravidesque one, anchoring the RR batting while at the same time scoring at more than a run-a-ball. The six over cover was especially notable. He soon perished, but Hodge was there to ensure that they managed a respectable total. The Aussie veteran was busy throughout his innings, picking up the odd boundary time and again, finally managing a fine 46 off 31 deliveries.
Yagnik’s Blitzkrieg, Narine finally overpowered
The 19th over of the match, and mystery bowler Narine was handed the ball. He started off well, had figures-worth-dying-for that read 3-0-11-2, and seemed set for a repeat performance from their first match against DD. The little known Dishant Yagnik, RR’s wicket-keeper batsman however had other plans. He blasted a six and followed it up with a boundary. Narine was taken for 18 off that over, and it proved to be a game-changer.
KKR off to a flier
The Knight Riders began on a note that was completely antithetical to the RR’s start. Gambhir was off and away with the word go, bludgeoning the ball for a boundary followed by a six. The scorecard read 18/0 after two overs.
Shukla, Trivedi have a field day
No, it is not about Laxmi Shukla, who got the wicket of Binny off his first ball. It is about the relatively lesser known Rahul Shukla, who struck twice in his first over. First, he removed the out of sorts Bisla, then had the big man Kallis caught behind for nought. Trivedi’s story was no different; he too struck twice in his first to remove Tiwary and Gambhir, and later removed Laxmi Shukla as well for almost nothing.
Morgan’s heroics go down the drain
Running out of partners as well as overs, Morgan launched a counter attack that saw some breath taking as well as some cheeky shots. The six over short fine leg was something special. He scored a brisk fifty of just 35 balls, distorting Trivedi’s figures somewhat. But in the end, none of it mattered as he failed to see his side home. He might as well would have managed to sneak in a victory for KKR, but Cooper ensured that nothing untoward happened as far as the Royals were concerned.
Cooper rings ‘Death’ knell for KKR
Having won a match for the Royals two days back with his wily bowling at the death, Cooper was unsurprisingly the go-to man for Dravid when Morgan was going berserk. He did the job again for the Royals, striking unfailingly to send Morgan and KKR packing. He also scalped the all-important wicket of Yusuf Pathan for naught.