SK Flashback: When RR completed the highest successful run-chase in IPL history
Last night, we saw a new record for the lowest IPL total ever by the Royal Challengers Bangalore as they were skittled out for 49 by the Kolkata Knight Riders, breaking the eight-year record of 58 which was held by Rajasthan Royals.
Over the years, we have witnessed many records being created and bettered at the IPL. One such record was scripted on this very day 9 years ago and is yet to be bettered and that is the record for the highest successful run-chase in IPL history. The Rajasthan Royals had created this record by chasing down Deccan Chargers’ target of 215 at Hyderabad
It was the 9th match of the tournament and was held a day after Mumbai Indians had come very close to chasing down a target of 208 against the Chennai Super Kings, only to fall 6 runs short.
Deccan Chargers’ quick start followed by Andrew Symonds’ majestic ton
The Royals had won the toss and Shane Warne decided to field first. Adam Gilchrist gave the Chargers a fine start by smashing three boundaries from the first over bowled by Munaf Patel which was followed by skipper VVS Laxman hitting two boundaries in the second over bowled by Shane Watson. However, he was stumped for 13 off Yusuf Pathan’s bowling and was replaced on the crease by Shahid Afridi.
Afridi began brilliantly by hitting a boundary and a six in his second and third deliveries before being dismissed in the very next delivery from Pathan. At this stage, Andrew Symonds joined Laxman at the crease and it did not take the Australian too long to get in the groove as he struck some early boundaries to elevate the run-rate for the Deccan Chargers.
After VVS Laxman was dismissed, Rohit Sharma joined Symonds at the crease and was an on-looker as Symonds began to tame the Rajasthan bowlers, including his former teammate Shane Warne, as he reached to his fifty from just 29 deliveries with a sensational boundary off Warne’s bowling.
Symonds began playing more aggressively but was given a lifeline while he was batting on 75 as he was dropped by Yusuf Pathan at point. The drop turned out to be costly as the burly Australian went on to reach his century, the third of the competition. Symonds reached his century in remarkable fashion by smashing a six over deep midwicket off Shane Warne’s bowling.
Symonds remained unbeaten on 117 from just 53 deliveries as Deccan Chargers ended their innings on 214/5 from their 20 overs.
Priceless partnership of 98 from just 44 deliveries between Graeme Smith and Yusuf Pathan
In reply, RR lost Kamran Akmal early but his opening partner, Graeme Smith, and Yusuf Pathan both began to go for the big shots and Rajasthan Royals were gradually coming back into the match. Pathan was aggressive of the two as Smith stood his ground and displaying aggression occasionally.
Pathan smashed the then-fastest fifty of the tournament off just 21 deliveries with a brilliant six over long-on. However, he was dismissed for 61 from just 28 deliveries D Kalyankrishna. Shane Watson could not assist Smith for long as he too departed soon after Pathan’s wicket.
Smith found assistance in Mohammad Kaif who smashed the opposition bowlers relentlessly and formed a partnership of 60 for the fourth wicket. Kaif eventually departed after scoring 34 from just 16 balls and was followed into the pavilion by Smith who departed a few deliveries later after scoring a magnificent innings of 71 from 45 deliveries.
After losing two wickets during the 19th over, it seemed like the Deccan Chargers would register their first victory of the tournament as the Royals needed 17 to win off the final over with skipper Shane Warne at the crease with Pankaj Singh.
Warne turns out to be RR’s hero
The centurion of the match, Andrew Symonds, was entrusted with the responsibility of bowling the final over and he conceded three runs off the first two deliveries with Warne on strike in the next delivery. Warne charged down the ground to smash a low full toss from Symonds for four.
In the next delivery, the legendary Australian leg spinner came down the ground and smashed a massive six over deep midwicket and RR now needed just 4 to win from 2 deliveries. Warne ended up being the hero for Rajasthan Royals as he smashed another six off the penultimate delivery to win the match for his side.
This was the first time that a total of 200 was chased down in the IPL and was the highest successful run-chase of the tournament as the Royals bettered their own run-chase of 166 against the Kings XI Punjab in the 6th match of the tournament.
Yusuf Pathan was adjudged the Man of the Match for his 28-ball 61 in addition to his two wickets. Since then, there have been five more instances when a total of 200+ has been chased down in the IPL but the record for the highest successful run-chase remains with Rajasthan Royals.