In this series so far we have looked at 6 nerve-wrackingly closest encounters in IPL history. This is third part of the closest encounters in IPL history series.
Here is a description of nail-biting final moments of 3 more closest encounters in IPL history.
Closest encounters in IPL history
1. Royal Challengers Bangalore(RCB) v Chennai Super Kings(CSK) – 2012
CSK was chasing the total of 206, till the 18th over, all seemed out of reach. For 18 overs of the match, RCB seemed to have its noses in front. Chasing a target of over 200 comes with added pressure, required run rate kept piling on and CSK needed 43 runs from the last 12 balls to win.
RCB were well on their way to win this match, Virat Kohli took the ball for 18th over, it was his second over that day. He had given away only 8 runs in his first over and understandably he backed himself. I backed him too, it was also to be the last time we’d ever back him to bowl in IPL.
Albie Morkel was facing his first ball of the match against Virat Kohli and by the end of this over, his individual score was 28 runs from 6 balls. That over, Virat Kohli was smashed around the park by Albie Morkel for 4,6,4,6,2 and another 6 to top it all off. It also happened to be the last time Virat Kohli bowled an over in IPL.
One over to go and CSK needed 15 runs to win, but we have known that IPL keep us on the edge of our seats and sure enough there was a twist in the tail. Morkel was caught out in the second ball of the over. 14 runs to defend from 4 balls and Vinay Kumar bowled a no ball that was hit for a four and followed a free hit that was dispatched for a heinous maximum.
To tense things up, next two balls were a dot ball and a single respectively. Two needed from the last ball and Jadeja was on strike, he swung at that last ball as it faintly kissed his bat and raced to the fence. The home crowd was elated and RCB were completely stunned. CSK managed to pull off a heist that would have impressed El Professor from LaCasa De Papel as well.
2. Rajasthan Royals(RR) v Kolkata Knight Riders(KKR)- 2009
It was last over of the match, KKR dugout were chasing a modest target of 150 and seemed well in control of their chase, till 19.4 overs that is. The team needed 7 runs from 6 balls with Saurav Ganguly and Ajit Agarkar on strike.
Here’s how first 4 balls of that over panned out, single run from a wide ball, another two singles, then a dot ball followed by another two runs off the pads. KKR needed two runs from two balls to seal an easy win. But what followed next, was destiny at work making sure they would be featured in this piece.
In the penultimate ball of the over, Ganguly tried to go for the glory. Made some room to try and slash the ball but only managed a faint tickle off the bat and was caught behind.
Last ball, two runs for a win, Ishant Sharma guided the delivery towards off side which was stopped by Warne and as Ishant was coming back for the second run, he was run out, he was nowhere near the frame. Thus, followed the first ever Super Over of Indian Premier League.
Kamran Khan was bowling for RR and started well with 3 runs off his first 2 deliveries. Gayle, the Mr. T20 then dispatched next three balls for consecutive boundaries and was caught out on the last ball. Rajasthan were given a target 16 runs to win this Super Over.
Mendis was the chosen one, he warmed up to bowl for KKR. Yusuf Pathan was batting for the RR, he muscled the first ball for a maximum. 10 needed off 5 balls and the second ball presented a difficult chance for KKR to catch Yusuf out and send him back out, but Yusuf was dropped as batsmen scurried for two more runs.
Third ball of Super over, Yusuf did not move, he stayed in his crease and thumped it for another maximum over deep mid-wicket boundary. With two more needed, the field came in but Yusuf was not in any mood for running and he swept the ball towards wide square leg for a four.
Yusuf showed a brilliant display of stand and deliver as he stood and delivered a memorable win for his team. The team charged to man of the moment and Yusuf celebrated with his teammates as RR managed to make one of the greatest comebacks of Indian Premier League.
3. Kings XI Punjab(KXIP) v Mumbai Indians(MI) – 2008
Batting first KXIP managed to score 189 runs. The innings were built on a 133 runs partnership between Shaun Marsh and LA Pomersbach. Both batsmen eventually scored 81 and 79 runs respectively.
This match went down to the absolute wire with 19 runs needed from 6 balls and KXIP as obvious favorites. Under boiling pressure, Vikram Singh made his first mistake by bowling a no-ball. To add to this pain, Siddharth Chitnis scooped it over for the boundary for a six.
Chitnis followed it by another four. The ball was lofted high over extra cover and Srivastava failed to judge it mid air and dropped the ball as it crossed the boundary line. Mumbai Indians managed 11 runs off their first ball, equation was now at 8 runs required from 4 balls.
But the forever thrilling IPL provided another twist as Chitnnis was run out on the second ball while trying to come back for the second run. Third ball was another single and drama continued on the fourth ball as Ashish Nehra was run out attempting a third run.
Yeligati walked in with 4 runs needed from 2 balls. Owing to an extra run from an over throw, batsmen managed to scramble for 2 more runs. MI needed 2 more runs to win and 1 run to anchor this match into Super overs.
Yeligati tapped the final ball towards cover and tried to sneak in a single. But unfortunately for MI, the ball went to Yuvraj Singh. Yuvraj picked up the ball and dashed towards non strikers end. He reminded us of Jonty Rhodes as he uprooted all three stumps and produced the best match altering run-out of Indian Premier League.
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