Chennai Super Kings v Kings XI Punjab
After the Chennai had spanked the bowling to all parts of the ground in a rain reduced 18 over match, Punjab had a daunting task to chase 180 odd at 10 an over.
Katich was an unexpected starter in this chase, and did superbly to chip a few over fence on both sides of the ground. But when Yuvraj stepped in, the asking rate was 12 an over. Something which perhaps only Yuvraj has the ability to perhaps go for. And he sure did- smacking them over mid wicket with ease.
With three overs left, Punjab needed 43 odd in 4 overs- and Dhoni had a simple surprise- he brought on Suresh Raina a part-time off spinner. He just did the positional thing- bowl the right angle at the right pace, cramming the batsman from room a bit- and before they could come to terms with the angles, the over was done and gone with just a few singles!
Sure, part time bowlers have a place in a limited overs format, but to bring one on just to do the basics- against a Yuvraj in full flow, when 3 overs remain, was a positional shot (as in chess- one move that changes a lot), and in this case by just cutting momentum- not forcing anything.
Suddenly Yuvraj and Jayawardene could only get singles, and the last over by Balaji was also more of a flighted one (with about 20 runs to get, he was given the buffer).
Brilliant!
Saumil
Mumbai
8 May 2009
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