A horror return for Kamran Khan
ESPNcricinfo presents the Plays of the Day from the IPL match between Royal Challengers Bangalore and Pune Warriors
Siddarth Ravindran
29-Apr-2011
Zaheer Khan removed Yuvraj Singh to end Pune Warriors' chances • Associated Press
Welcome back
Kamran Khan made his name with a nerveless Superover against the Kolkata Knight Riders two years ago, shackling the likes of Chris Gayle to set up a Rajasthan Royals victory in Cape Town. He was up against Gayle again in his return to the big time, and this time it was Gayle who emerged triumphant. Kamran was dismantled in his first over as Gayle walloped him for two sixes and two fours.
Kamran Khan made his name with a nerveless Superover against the Kolkata Knight Riders two years ago, shackling the likes of Chris Gayle to set up a Rajasthan Royals victory in Cape Town. He was up against Gayle again in his return to the big time, and this time it was Gayle who emerged triumphant. Kamran was dismantled in his first over as Gayle walloped him for two sixes and two fours.
The crowd catch
There were some questioning the wisdom off Bangalore's decision to retain Virat Kohli. He continued to prove the naysayers wrong with another outstanding innings during which he took over as the tournament's leading run scorer. Two deliveries after taking the orange cap from Sachin Tendulkar, Kohli played the shot of the innings: a fluid whip which sent a full delivery on the pads screaming over the backward square leg boundary. The fielders watched helplessly, but a man in the crowd snaffled it, on the second attempt.
There were some questioning the wisdom off Bangalore's decision to retain Virat Kohli. He continued to prove the naysayers wrong with another outstanding innings during which he took over as the tournament's leading run scorer. Two deliveries after taking the orange cap from Sachin Tendulkar, Kohli played the shot of the innings: a fluid whip which sent a full delivery on the pads screaming over the backward square leg boundary. The fielders watched helplessly, but a man in the crowd snaffled it, on the second attempt.
The crowd silencer
Bangalore were on top for most of the match, with Gayle and Kolhi giving the crowd plenty to cheer. Perhaps the only time that the Chinnaswamy crowd was anxious was during Yuvraj Singh's onslaught on left-arm-spinner Syed Mohammad in the 16th over. The decibel levels dropped in the stadium as Yuvraj bludgeoned six, four and six off the first three deliveries to signal that Pune Warriors weren't finished, though the asking-rate was nearing 15.
Bangalore were on top for most of the match, with Gayle and Kolhi giving the crowd plenty to cheer. Perhaps the only time that the Chinnaswamy crowd was anxious was during Yuvraj Singh's onslaught on left-arm-spinner Syed Mohammad in the 16th over. The decibel levels dropped in the stadium as Yuvraj bludgeoned six, four and six off the first three deliveries to signal that Pune Warriors weren't finished, though the asking-rate was nearing 15.
Killing the contest
With most of Pune's batsmen struggling to time the ball, hopes of a miraculous back-from-the-dead win rested with Yuvraj. Zaheer Khan has got used to being called on whenever the team is in trouble, at both franchise and international level. He was given the ball in the 17th over, and he duly delivered, getting Yuvraj to slice the ball to midwicket and end Pune's chances.
With most of Pune's batsmen struggling to time the ball, hopes of a miraculous back-from-the-dead win rested with Yuvraj. Zaheer Khan has got used to being called on whenever the team is in trouble, at both franchise and international level. He was given the ball in the 17th over, and he duly delivered, getting Yuvraj to slice the ball to midwicket and end Pune's chances.
Siddarth Ravindran is a sub-editor at ESPNcricinfo