Rajasthan vs. Delhi

While IPL league may have reached to the midst of its myriad, there doesn't seem to be an end to its fever. Let people call it marketing gimmick, impure form of cricket or even anything or everything except cricket but numbers do speak their own language, people are turning up in huge numbers to check out IPL cricket this season.

I happened to come across yet another action packed thriller between Delhi and Rajasthan Royal's. Delhi batting first, posted a not so competitive score of 156/7 with almost equal contribution from everyone who came on to bat!! Probably that call it teamwork, there isn't much of a difference between 39 off 16 balls (Maharoof) and 31 off 23 balls (triveni) when no player could manage to cross the threshold figure of half century even! Nevertheless the Delhi team probably content with the score came to field under the leadership of Viru Praji. Action continued while the Delhi horrors turning into reality with shining star Watson playing fireworks on shewag's head and with each stroke sailing Rajasthan off tough waters in the sea of fielders . While the wickets off the other end kept falling , Watson didn't let loose the strings until last few overs which turned thrilling as ever .

The score was 120/4 in 16th over when the fifth wicket fell with Mascarenhas down (at 9 off 8 balls) off sehwg's delivery which he completely missed knocking off his leg stump. The match seemed turning and you could see Sehwag in deep tension biting his nails. In 17th over McGrarth was brough back thinking if he could do some wonder. Shane Warne and Watson were on the crease and RR required 19 off 24 balls. McGrath started with some good deliveries but was not supported by the field. Dropped catch off his 4th ball added to the some smooth sailing even in turbulent waters, at least for a while. So far so good, things seems pretty easy until Mahrrof was brought into attack. 18th over, Sehwag was trying all his options and this time bowling change and skillful bowling did the trick. Even with just 7 runs required off 12 balls, Shane Warne lost his middle wicket on the very first ball and the pressure again seems building up a little. 2nd ball and Watson was attempted runout. Umpire says NO but Sewag seemed visibly distraught over the decision. He seemed to be in a conformational mode and umpire after some verbal exchange of words gave the decision to Third Umpire. Oops, Watson was out and 2 continuous wickets. 1 run came out of 5 balls with a new player Rawat on crease. Is Delhi back into action? Not for long, dreams were shattered when brilliant stroke came out of last ball and scoreboard reached 155/7 in 19 overs. Finally in the last over with just 2 runs required, Rawat hit 4 off first ball and Rajashthan Roayals won yet another match leading the tournament with 7 wins off 9 matches. For Delhi, they could have defended the total had there been some better team coordination and fielding.

The drama is not yet over, more to come in next few weeks. Happy IPL!!