Hodge's match-winning run-out
Plays of the Day from the match between Delhi Daredevils and Rajasthan Royals in Delhl
Andrew Fidel Fernando
06-Apr-2013
Unmukt Chand was bowled for the second time in the IPL by an outstanding delivery • BCCI
The drop
With a reputation for being a fast mover and fine catcher, David Warner often traverses the straight boundary for Delhi Daredevils. But in the 13th over he dropped a straightforward chance from Rahul Dravid, and ended up conceding a six. Warner climbed into the air about a metre from the long-on rope to intercept Dravid's mis-hit off Andre Russell, and having got two hands to it, palmed it over the ropes. Warner benefited from some reciprocal generosity in his own innings though, when Dravid dropped him.
With a reputation for being a fast mover and fine catcher, David Warner often traverses the straight boundary for Delhi Daredevils. But in the 13th over he dropped a straightforward chance from Rahul Dravid, and ended up conceding a six. Warner climbed into the air about a metre from the long-on rope to intercept Dravid's mis-hit off Andre Russell, and having got two hands to it, palmed it over the ropes. Warner benefited from some reciprocal generosity in his own innings though, when Dravid dropped him.
The welcome
Mahela Jayawardene strangely held Johan Botha back until the 15th over, but when he did come into the attack, he was savaged so severely, he didn't bowl again. With Royals at 108 for 2 in 14 overs, Stuart Binny decided it was time to surge, and though his first boundary - an edge to third man - was somewhat fortuitous, a slog sweep into the stands next ball, and an advancing bludgeon over long off straight after, ignited Royals' death-over dash.
Mahela Jayawardene strangely held Johan Botha back until the 15th over, but when he did come into the attack, he was savaged so severely, he didn't bowl again. With Royals at 108 for 2 in 14 overs, Stuart Binny decided it was time to surge, and though his first boundary - an edge to third man - was somewhat fortuitous, a slog sweep into the stands next ball, and an advancing bludgeon over long off straight after, ignited Royals' death-over dash.
The ball
Unmukt Chand, the hero of last year's Under-19 World Cup, had a rough introduction to the IPL when a fantastic Brett Lee away-seamer uprooted his off stump with the first ball of the tournament. He was in danger of collecting another golden duck when Samuel Badree rapped him on the pads first ball in Delhi, but he survived, only to be bowled by another terrific delivery in the sixth over. Sreesanth pitched one on off stump in the sixth over, and moved it in off the seam just a fraction, and Chand could not get near the ball as it passed between bat and pad and took middle stump out of the ground.
Unmukt Chand, the hero of last year's Under-19 World Cup, had a rough introduction to the IPL when a fantastic Brett Lee away-seamer uprooted his off stump with the first ball of the tournament. He was in danger of collecting another golden duck when Samuel Badree rapped him on the pads first ball in Delhi, but he survived, only to be bowled by another terrific delivery in the sixth over. Sreesanth pitched one on off stump in the sixth over, and moved it in off the seam just a fraction, and Chand could not get near the ball as it passed between bat and pad and took middle stump out of the ground.
The catch
Jayawardene had set himself up to be there at the close with a measured 19 from 15 deliveries, but as soon as he made a mistake, a little magic in the infield ensured he would not play the kind of innings that had given Delhi hope in the tournament opener. Spotting a full, straight delivery from Rahul Shukla, Jayawardene aimed a big drive, but ended up getting a thick outside edge that flew square. The ball's trajectory would have taken it several metres to the right of Ajinkya Rahane at backward point, but he moved quickly and launched himself horizontally, heels kicked in the air, to complete a stunning two-handed take at full stretch.
Jayawardene had set himself up to be there at the close with a measured 19 from 15 deliveries, but as soon as he made a mistake, a little magic in the infield ensured he would not play the kind of innings that had given Delhi hope in the tournament opener. Spotting a full, straight delivery from Rahul Shukla, Jayawardene aimed a big drive, but ended up getting a thick outside edge that flew square. The ball's trajectory would have taken it several metres to the right of Ajinkya Rahane at backward point, but he moved quickly and launched himself horizontally, heels kicked in the air, to complete a stunning two-handed take at full stretch.
The throw
Despite a miserly 18th over of Daredevils' innings, and a quiet start to the 19th, the hosts would have felt in control as long as Warner remained at the crease. A fine piece of fielding from acting captain Brad Hodge, however, dislodged Royals' chief tormentor and yielded the floor to Kevon Cooper's last-over heroics. Warner bunted one into the off side and took off, but as quick as he is between the wickets, he had hit the ball too close to Hodge at cover, who swooped on it instantly. Hodge then let rip with a fast, flat off-balance throw, and despite having no more than one-and-a-half stumps to aim at, and hit middle to find Warner metres short.
Despite a miserly 18th over of Daredevils' innings, and a quiet start to the 19th, the hosts would have felt in control as long as Warner remained at the crease. A fine piece of fielding from acting captain Brad Hodge, however, dislodged Royals' chief tormentor and yielded the floor to Kevon Cooper's last-over heroics. Warner bunted one into the off side and took off, but as quick as he is between the wickets, he had hit the ball too close to Hodge at cover, who swooped on it instantly. Hodge then let rip with a fast, flat off-balance throw, and despite having no more than one-and-a-half stumps to aim at, and hit middle to find Warner metres short.
Andrew Fidel Fernando is ESPNcricinfo's Sri Lanka correspondent. He tweets here