Ahmedabad, March 27: Three wins in a row and now we have a turnaround in the fortunes of Rajasthan Royals. Many believed, and quite rightly so, that Shane Warne no longer remained the monarch of all he surveyed. His team lost their first three games and looked like a bunch of warriors who don’t enjoy a scarp anymore.
All this has changed over the past week! It started on Saturday when they beat Knight Riders in Ahmedabad and then humbled Kings XI Punjab at Mohali. On Friday, they pulled off their biggest win when they downed defending champions Deccan Chargers by eight wickets.
Has Shane Warne once again triggered belief in his men? At least he has brought Yusuf Pathan back to his marauding self. Yusuf made an unbeaten 73 at No.3. The knock consumed just 34 balls. After grounding to dust the Chargers bowlers, Yusuf hit spinner Rahul Sharma for two sixes in the last over when 10 was required off 30 balls.
He raised is hand in triumph. Themost dangerous finisher in the IPL, found his touch again. It also meant the Royals were once again looking like a champion outfit.
The Royals, powered by Pathan and Michael Lumb, successfully chased the 149-run target set by the Adam Gilchrist and Co. Royals were positive from the word go and their body language was that of a team ready to win.
Deccan Chargers’ RP Singh conceded 22 runs in his first two overs. Opener Naman Ojha fell soon, but Warne ensured that the initiative remained with the Royals by sending in Pathan at No.3. Pathan’s family witnessed his blitzkrieg from the president’s gallery. Gilchrist rotated his bowlers but without much success.
A mix-up between Lumb (45 runs 32b; 7×4) and Pathan in the 12th over saw the former run out. However, Pathan ensured that the Royals applecart wasn’t toppled.
Earlier, the Royals’s decision to rest Munaf Patel and give Sumit Narwal an opportunity turned fruitful when Haryana-born pacer gave a perfect start.
Adam Gilchrist miscued to Yusuf Pathan off Narwal in very first over. VVS Laxman found the pace of Shaun Tait too hot to handle and provided Yusuf his second catch of the day.
Herschelle Gibbs and Andrew Symonds steadied the innings. That’s when Warne decided to take matters into his own hands. Gibbs was cruising till Warne lured him with flight and then turn and wicketkeeper Naman Ojha pulled off a neat stumping. It was a classic-kind of dismissal from the master craftsman who was getting his act together.
Then Symonds was found short of his ground while batting with Rohit Sharma. Chargers fell to 71-4.But best efforts from Sharma failed to take Deccan to safety.
–Agencies–