From the iSport Cricket Paddock: iSporter Issac John pens his favourite team, the Deccan Chargers performance in the last two matches against RR and RCB. Read his views here!
Deccan Chargers Vs. Rajasthan Royals
For once, the Deccan Chargers gave away only 31 runs in the last 5 overs in this match. That figure generally hovers around the 60’s and RP Singh seemed to have got his rhythm back giving away only 17 in 4 overs. The match in a nutshell should’ve been in the bag once Adam Gilchrist gave the flyer DC badly needed but DC being DC knows only one way to chase targets and that is to make them difficult.
In a match that eerily reminded one of the first ever clash between the Royals and DC way back in 2008, this ended up being another last-over finish. That day Shane Warne finished Andrew Symonds and the match in the last over with his bat. This day he mesmerized the fragile DC middle-order with his bowling. Not just that- it was vintage Warne at his best as far as marshalling resources is concerned. Twice in two matches, the captains (Ganguly before this) had the better of Gilchrist with their tactical acumen and performances. Rohit Sharma meanwhile batted the only way he can- with sheer elegance and command. The agonizing part of that innings being that the only false stroke in the 44 balls that he faced that day was the ball he got out on. In a delectable stroke mid-way through the innings he guided a ball from Aditya Dole towards the fine-leg boundary with one leg in the air – the Natraj posture that was reminiscent of the original Prince – Brian Charles Lara.
Some performances should be accorded a place between defeat and victory because they don’t deserve to be on the losing side. Rohit’s was thus. He had played many of these gems before. As the Gods would will it, another one of those ended up on the wrong side.
Deccan Chargers Vs. Royal Challengers Bangalore
It won’t be wrong to say that DC didn’t entirely deserve to win this. After conceding 92 runs in 6 overs, no side should let go off the momentum and lose a match. Fortunately for DC, RCB did. DC on the other hand got lucky on three accounts:
* The number of inside edges of Suman’s that didn’t go on to hit the stumps would be hard to count on the fingers.
* Three of Symonds’ strokes could’ve gone anywhere near the third man or the wicket keeper. They didn’t.
* The other decision which could’ve cost them the game was Gilly’s charge down the track to Kumble off an over in which he had already clobbered him for a huge six off the first ball. It wasn’t the most responsible shot from a captain and DC should count themselves lucky that in spite of Gilly getting out to that wild slog at a critical juncture, they could hang on to take the match.
Technically, DC is not ruled out of the tournament yet but such is the format that just one bad over or one bad stroke can put them out in a jiffy. Conversely, given the standings, they’ll have to win the next 4 games to have any glimmer of hope.
If you’re a person who bets safe, it’s not a tough decision to make.
Subscribe to this comment's feed
Show/hide comments
Show/hide comment form
| < Prev | Next > |
|---|
