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.
Posts Tagged ‘warne’
A Royal show by the Sheikh of Tweak
April 6th, 2010Halla Bol for Rajasthan!
March 25th, 2010
Cricket has seen very few champions like Shane Warne.
He may have not been in the best bowling form in the tournament, but he is certainly leading Rajasthan’s comeback in the tournament with his superb captaincy skills.
Rajasthan’s bowling effort was a lesson. The bowlers stuck to a plan,bowling with discipline to some crafty field settings and Kings XI Punjab eventually caved in to the pressure. The hosts didn’t help their cause by throwing their wickets away with some reckless shots.
It was a sort of do-or-die match for both teams, perched at the bottom of the rankings.
And it was Rajasthan that showed more desperation and the players rose to the occasion.
With the bat, Michael Lumb gave the visitors a good start with a brisk before Australia’s Adam Voges’ fireworks at the end, 45 from 24 balls, took them to 183 for five in 20 overs.
Punjab’s top batsmen once again failed to live upto expectations.
Captain Kumar Sangakkara failed to carry after a good start (29 from 13 balls), while Yuvraj Singh, despite being dropped once, managed just 15.
Shaun Tait’s pace was too hot to handle for Punjab with the pacer taking three for 22, but the most impressive bowling isplay of the evening came from Siddharth Trivedi, who took two for 25, with good variations in pace and length.
This was Rajasthan’s second win in a row and it seems they have finally woken up after a deep slumber. While Shilpa Shetty and her team danced to Halla Bol after they deserved win, Preity Zinta’s Kings must be wondering how to change their fortunes, having won just one out of five games!!
Come on PZ- kings XI you can still do it.
