The Kolkata Knight Riders were threatening to bury themselves in the first match itself. And given their start, few would have given them half a chance of winning the game. The Chargers though did have their cat-amongst-the-pigeons moments as well.
Technically the Kolkata Knight Riders did not have any business to even give themselves a chance for winning the match. When one considers that the three of the first four wicket partnerships were ducks, one would have to rub one’s eyes to know that they even managed to get to 161.
For that the credit must go in great deal to Angelo Matthews and Owais Shah for resurrecting what was generally considered a lost cause at four down for thirty-one. The duo played with dynamism, enterprise and a great deal of guts, something the KKR have been hurting for lack of. Matthews’ sixty-four runs from forty-six balls were enigmatic as they were emphatic while Owais Shah was sending across a point perhaps to the Delhi Daredevils for swapping him.
Shah’s fifty-eight runs were not short on value either, as they helped the duo raise a 130 run partnership that changed their feeble position to one of strength. It certainly gave the fans that turned up in hoards something to cheer about after the abysmal start.
But the Chargers, or rather, their captain, Adam Gilchrist was having none of it. Gilchrist was his usual self, although more subtle than bombastic but effective all the same. And while he was at the crease, the Chargers were cruising
Having said that, one had to find reasons to explain the bizarre shot making that followed that led the Deccan Chargers towards a dangerous downward spiral. Gilchrist himself was guilty of one, that ended his innings on fifty-four and opening the door for the Kolkata Knight Riders who gleefully accepted the mayhem of the Chargers after dropping tough catches themselves.
Herschelle Gibbs and Andrew Symonds did not fare any better, picking their shots and the Kolkata Knight Riders had to merely stand their ground because wickets were falling in a heap. All the bowlers began to share the scalps, four wickets in the space of twenty-nine runs and more were to follow.
With seventeen runs required from six balls, the Chargers game became a little more difficult at seven down. But a no ball did not hurt. The smiles were still in the KKR camp as the Chargers had let this one slip, clueless about tackling the final over, finishing on 150 for seven, when they should have finished on top.
