A match up of teams with big hitters on a small ground is usually an interesting one. This one promised even more since both teams were coming to the game with impressive wins in their last games. The toss was won by Rajasthan Royals (The Wild Wild West team of the IPL). Captain Smith elected to field first, hoping to pick up early wickets. However, the hope remained a hope as Agarwal and Rahul forged a 183 runs partnership for Kings 11 Punjab. After Agarwal's departure, who scored a 106 of 50 balls with 7 6s, Kings 11 could not capitalize much till Pooran came to the party with a 25 of only 8 balls. That inning could never have happened if Uthappa had taken his catch early on. As they say "whatever happens, happens for the good" - those runs laid the foundation for an exciting chase.
In the 2nd innings, Royals were expected to come out blazing by going for big shots. The early departure of Buttler only brought in the man-in-form Samson. Samson-Smith crafted a valuable partnership nullifying the hard work done by Agarwal for Kings 11. Smith's departure brough in Tewatia who began to stall the momentum. Samson decided to take the bowlers on his own and succeeded. One of his hits was miraculously saved by Pooran from going for a 6, one of the best piece of fielding efforts of all time. Once Samson's heroic effort ended, it was left up to Tewatia to make amends. As if a magical power had entered his bat, Tewatia too made one of the best individual comebacks in the history of IPL by smashing 5 6s of Cottrell's over. The man who had stalled the momentum energized the Royals to make the team arrive at the doorsteps of victory. In the fitting end to this memorable game, Curran dispatched M Ashwin for a 4 to take the Royals over the line. Samson was named the Man of the Match for his power knock.
Overall, a memorable day for cricket with interesting innings by Agarwal, Pooran, Smith, Samson and Tewatia. Pooran also made that magical fielding attempt. Nothing much was expected of the bowlers on this ground but they played their part in making this one of the most memorable games and, if I am not wrong, the highest chase ever in IPL's history. Cheers to cricket!
