Can it be called a thriller ? - a low scoring match – what looked like a certain win – suddenly towards the end 15 dot balls – 2 wickets and the last wicket pair making some runs in the midst of high drama – all the ingredients of a thriller – India lost or perhaps WI allowed the match to slip out of it hands.
India does not often win a thriller but today at Barbati it was different. Cuttack is the former capital city of Orissa. The city has lineage to the Ganga dynasty founded by King Ananta-Varman Chodaganga Deva (1078–1147), grandson of the Chola king Virarajendra Chola and nephew of emperor Kulothunga Chola I. Anantavarman is credited for having built the famous Jagannath Temple of Puri in Orissa. The barabati fort was built by the Ganga dynasty and there lies the modern Barbati stadium. The city is in the Mahanadi river delta and hence fertile. .Orissa is officially Odisha from Nov 2011 – the modern name of ancient Kalinga kingdom. The Barbati stadium is the home ground of Orissa Cricket Team. Way back in Jan 1982, it hosted the third One dayer in India against England, when India won comfortably.
Today, Rohit Sharma was the man of the match; he anchored a good innings when all others struggled to score but left softly at a crucial juncture putting pressure on everybody. Chasing a modest 211, India got off to a good start – lost Parthiv Patel at 31 at 4.1 – soon they were looking down the barrel losing 5 wickets for 59 in 11.2 overs (Parthiv, Gambhir, Kohli, Sehwag and Raina gone) A grand partnership of 83 between Ravindra Jadeja and Rohit saved them. Ashwin added another 17, then there was another good partnership of 42 runs… between Rohit and Vinay Kumar.
After 45 overs, Indians were totally on target – Rohit 72 not out; Vinay Kumar 18 not out – 11 runs required off 30 balls and to boot all – Martin came on to bowl. 46th over - First ball was not scored; second an innocuous one out side the leg – a straight one, hit the pad changed direction and found Rohit’s stumps. – no more runs in that over.
Still 11 required off 24 balls now – Darren Sammy 47th over and off the first ball – Vinay goes for a hit and hits it straight to mid off. In walks Umesh Yadav to partner Varun Aaron – another maiden. From 11 off 30, it is is 11 off 18 – the last wicket is more concern. In fact Aaron refuses to run a single even when the ball went to fine leg and we are confused with the strange strategy.
Martin continues to bowl his gentle breaks. 1-2-3 no runs – though it appears that Aaron is keen on taking a single ! 4th they a run a single – a run after 15 balls !! – another run by Umesh – an appeal for run out as Aaron just about manages to get back. Now heading for a tight finish : 9 off 12 balls – the last pair battling out and both have little experience at this level.
First ball of Darren Sammy, Umesh gets a single; second was wide and short, Aaron cracks it for a four behind square. Third Aaron runs a single, turns at the bowler end, slips, gets back – comic ! – its all happening there. 4th no run as Umesh leaves it outside off. Off the 5th the unexpected or the most expected happens, Umesh Yadav, a rabbit on drives, beats mid on and gets a boundary.
Indians have won !!
sheer delight WI way - Andre Russel & Darren Bravo
courtesy : cricinfo.com
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