An IPL anniversary and Kochi's first home win
ESPNcricinfo presents the Plays of the Day from the IPL match between Kochi Tuskers Kerala and Chennai Super Kings in Kochi
Firdose Moonda
18-Apr-2011
RP Singh, the highest wicket-taker in IPLs, celebrated his first scalp of this edition • AFP
The first for the IPL's leading wicket-taker
RP Singh is the man with the most scalps in the history of the tournament, but he had yet to take a wicket in this edition of the competition. On a surface that favoured the seamers upfront, with bounce and swing on offer, he opened his account. After an over in which he got tonked for eight, RP came back and made good use of the movement. He bowled a delivery that went away from Michael Hussey, induced the edge and Parthiv Patel did the rest.
RP Singh is the man with the most scalps in the history of the tournament, but he had yet to take a wicket in this edition of the competition. On a surface that favoured the seamers upfront, with bounce and swing on offer, he opened his account. After an over in which he got tonked for eight, RP came back and made good use of the movement. He bowled a delivery that went away from Michael Hussey, induced the edge and Parthiv Patel did the rest.
The World Cup memories
MS Dhoni ended the Chennai innings the same way he ended India's innings in the World Cup final - with a six. He went down on one knee and sent the ball sailing over midwicket to take the Chennai total past 130. That wasn't the only moment that reminded one of the April 2 match in Mumbai. The toss was almost botched in similar fashion. Robin Jackman, the commentator announcing the result of the toss at the ground, heard the call incorrectly, after Dhoni called tails. Jackman thought he had said heads. Luckily, this time both captains and the match referee had heard right.
MS Dhoni ended the Chennai innings the same way he ended India's innings in the World Cup final - with a six. He went down on one knee and sent the ball sailing over midwicket to take the Chennai total past 130. That wasn't the only moment that reminded one of the April 2 match in Mumbai. The toss was almost botched in similar fashion. Robin Jackman, the commentator announcing the result of the toss at the ground, heard the call incorrectly, after Dhoni called tails. Jackman thought he had said heads. Luckily, this time both captains and the match referee had heard right.
The inside edges
Runs came richly in the fine leg and third man area for both teams, runs which Danny Morrison calls "French cuts." The second of them occurred just after the rain delay. Raiphi Gomez, who was ready to bowl before the heavens opened, started with a full delivery that Suresh Raina looked to drive away. He only managed to get an inside edge that was oh-so-close to kissing leg stump and ran away to fine leg. Ramesh Powar chased with all he had but even his best efforts couldn't save four.
Runs came richly in the fine leg and third man area for both teams, runs which Danny Morrison calls "French cuts." The second of them occurred just after the rain delay. Raiphi Gomez, who was ready to bowl before the heavens opened, started with a full delivery that Suresh Raina looked to drive away. He only managed to get an inside edge that was oh-so-close to kissing leg stump and ran away to fine leg. Ramesh Powar chased with all he had but even his best efforts couldn't save four.
The anniversary revisited
On this day, in 2008, Brendon McCullum smashed 158 not out for Kolkata Knight Riders against Royal Challengers Bangalore in the first ever match of the IPL. A glimpse of that innings was visible in McCullum's knock on Monday, which opened with a smashing six. After swinging wildly to the first ball he faced and then solidly defending the second, McCullum launched. He hit the ball back over Albie Morkel's head, straight as you like, and sent it way over long-on. It was the first of three sixes hit in that area.
On this day, in 2008, Brendon McCullum smashed 158 not out for Kolkata Knight Riders against Royal Challengers Bangalore in the first ever match of the IPL. A glimpse of that innings was visible in McCullum's knock on Monday, which opened with a smashing six. After swinging wildly to the first ball he faced and then solidly defending the second, McCullum launched. He hit the ball back over Albie Morkel's head, straight as you like, and sent it way over long-on. It was the first of three sixes hit in that area.
The home win
Ravindra Jadeja had all but sealed the win for Kochi with his six over midwicket and he finished Chennai off with the next ball. A simple shot off the back foot and determined running which turned one into two gave Kochi their first win at home in Kerala. The noise from the crowd had drowned out everything else for most of the match but when that moment came it was far, far louder. Incredible decibel levels were reached as the crowd at the Nehru Stadium saw their own franchise notch up a victory in front of them.
Ravindra Jadeja had all but sealed the win for Kochi with his six over midwicket and he finished Chennai off with the next ball. A simple shot off the back foot and determined running which turned one into two gave Kochi their first win at home in Kerala. The noise from the crowd had drowned out everything else for most of the match but when that moment came it was far, far louder. Incredible decibel levels were reached as the crowd at the Nehru Stadium saw their own franchise notch up a victory in front of them.
Firdose Moonda is ESPNcricinfo's South Africa correspondent