A dazzling throw, and Mithun's front foot
ESPNcricinfo presents the Plays of the Day from the IPL match between Delhi Daredevils and Royal Challengers Bangalore
George Binoy
26-Apr-2011
Virat Kohli hit six fours off the first ten deliveries he faced • AFP
Impact moment of the day
Virat Kohli had played the ball towards deep midwicket and he and AB de Villiers returned for the second run, taking on the fielder because he needed to get to the ball from deep square leg. That fielder was David Warner, though, who covered ground at incredible speed, reaching the ball quicker than the batsmen anticipated. He picked it up while on the run and aimed at de Villiers' end, challenging one of the fastest men in cricket. The throw was flat and fast from nearly 60 metres out and it crashed into the stumps at the bowler's end with de Villiers barely in the frame. The ball went to Warner several times after that, and the batsmen did not even think about a second.
Virat Kohli had played the ball towards deep midwicket and he and AB de Villiers returned for the second run, taking on the fielder because he needed to get to the ball from deep square leg. That fielder was David Warner, though, who covered ground at incredible speed, reaching the ball quicker than the batsmen anticipated. He picked it up while on the run and aimed at de Villiers' end, challenging one of the fastest men in cricket. The throw was flat and fast from nearly 60 metres out and it crashed into the stumps at the bowler's end with de Villiers barely in the frame. The ball went to Warner several times after that, and the batsmen did not even think about a second.
The referrals
Tillakaratne Dilshan had flung the ball high in celebration, after catching a stinging slash at point from James Hopes, who was single-handedly dragging Delhi to a competitive score. Abhimanyu Mithun had reason to be relieved, for the ball was full, wide and rather average. The umpire wanted to check whether Mithun had over-stepped, though, and replays showed that he was not behind the line by a fraction. Hopes, on 43, survived. Eleven runs later, Hopes edged Mithun to the wicketkeeper but the ensuing celebrations were dampened again when the umpire checked for another over-step. This time Mithun was okay, by the tiniest of margins.
Tillakaratne Dilshan had flung the ball high in celebration, after catching a stinging slash at point from James Hopes, who was single-handedly dragging Delhi to a competitive score. Abhimanyu Mithun had reason to be relieved, for the ball was full, wide and rather average. The umpire wanted to check whether Mithun had over-stepped, though, and replays showed that he was not behind the line by a fraction. Hopes, on 43, survived. Eleven runs later, Hopes edged Mithun to the wicketkeeper but the ensuing celebrations were dampened again when the umpire checked for another over-step. This time Mithun was okay, by the tiniest of margins.
The ambush
Dilshan made a duck, and Chris Gayle had not scored a run. Yet Bangalore were 26 after two overs, due to an astonishing blitz from Kohli, who struck six fours in his first ten balls. Dinda suffered first, getting cut in front and behind point, but Irfan Pathan suffered most. Kohli feasted on his friendly pace and, in the absence of movement, clipped through square, glanced to fine leg, drove through extra cover and flicked through midwicket. Every shot was timed impeccably, and placed with precision.
Dilshan made a duck, and Chris Gayle had not scored a run. Yet Bangalore were 26 after two overs, due to an astonishing blitz from Kohli, who struck six fours in his first ten balls. Dinda suffered first, getting cut in front and behind point, but Irfan Pathan suffered most. Kohli feasted on his friendly pace and, in the absence of movement, clipped through square, glanced to fine leg, drove through extra cover and flicked through midwicket. Every shot was timed impeccably, and placed with precision.
The final lifeline
A seesawing chase had decisively swung Bangalore's way. They needed two off five balls with three wickets in hand. And then Delhi had a glimmer of hope, as Daniel Vettori spooned an off-drive flat towards Pathan at mid-off. A wicket would have dismissed the last set batsman and left the finish to unaccomplished tailenders. Pathan moved to his right and dived forward, he got both hands to the ball but couldn't hold on as he was off balance. With that drop, Delhi was truly sunk.
A seesawing chase had decisively swung Bangalore's way. They needed two off five balls with three wickets in hand. And then Delhi had a glimmer of hope, as Daniel Vettori spooned an off-drive flat towards Pathan at mid-off. A wicket would have dismissed the last set batsman and left the finish to unaccomplished tailenders. Pathan moved to his right and dived forward, he got both hands to the ball but couldn't hold on as he was off balance. With that drop, Delhi was truly sunk.
George Binoy is an assistant editor at ESPNcricinfo