It seems the real Shane Warne has finally stood up!!!
 
Warne, also known as the Sheikh of Tweak, seems to have finally found his golden touch. The Rajasthan Royals captain bowled a brilliant spell, claiming four for 21, to lead his team to a narrow two-run victory over Deccan Chargers in a thrilling finish.
 
One of the best spinners to have graced the game, Warne was back in his elements and the Deccan lower order capitulated against his genius. After an indifferent start to the IPL, the maestro seemed to have found his range with his line and length and it was not surprising when he had a slip and a fielder at silly point during the closing stages of this tight encounter.
 
Shane Watson hit his second half-century in a row (58 from 36 balls) before Rajasthan self-destructed at the end. The visitors lost their last six wickets for a mere 29 runs in the space of 27 deliveries to be bowled out for 159 with RP Singh grabbing three for 17 in his comeback.
 
The Deccan Chargers also struggled with the bat and except for Rohit Sharma’s composed innings of 73 from 44 balls, the rest of the batsmen threw away their wickets with reckless shots.
 
Among them the few, who looked to survive, were outdone by Warne’s genius with the ball.
 
But Deccan have only themselves to blame for his defeat. With six needed off the last over with three wickets in hand including that of Rohit, the match was firmly in their grasp.
 
Siddharth Trivedi showed nerves of steel as he bowled a splendid last over, taking two wickets, while Harmeet Singh was run out.
 
Rohit’s inexperience showed up when he chipped one straight to the fielder on the cover boundary to end Deccan’s challenge.
 
As the age old adage in cricket goes, “Form is temporary, class is permanent” and how true it stands for Warne tonight.
 

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