RR beats PWI - Ajit Chandila - who ?

Faridabad is an industrial  city in the south-east of Haryana state sharing its border  with New Delhi.  There are lots of factories and has considerable worker population.  It has two Railway stations – the Faridabad NIT and Old Faridabad station.    The road to Mathura from Delhi passes through this town.  It is a well planned city with neatly laid roads with parallel roads and crossings symmetrically made. 

As I have been writing, this IPL has been more entertaining than others.  – so many new players have emerged successful and many matches are fought intensely.  A major part is over – 60 matches out of 72 preliminary gone.  On a Sunday afternoon, relaxedly watched Rajasthan Royals play Pune Warriors and in the end it was not defeat but disgrace for the Subrata Roy sponsored team.

One cannot be faulted for not recognizing or not knowing Chandila.  I too was surprised when this offie opened the bowling.  Many spinners do open the bowling in IPL – but still this man bowled 4 overs on the trot and by the time he finished his spell, was sort of assured of the Man of the Match.  Born in 1983, he hails from Faridabad and had earlier played for Delhi Daredevils. 

Rahane takes the catch from Botha 

Photo courtesy : http://www.iplt20.com/

Before that, an outstanding fielding effort deserves greater mention.  It was the last ball of the 18^th over and the result was foregone conclusion.  Rahul Sharma swung at a slower one from Shane Watson and the ball was soaring over long-off.  Johan Botha jumped in the air, got hold of the ball, the momentum was taking him out – realizing, he threw the ball towards the other fielder running in – not sure whether it was by chance or by choice, Ajinkya Rahane was running in took the ball and completed the catch.  Record books will read R Sharma caught Rahane b Watson – but all credit to Botha for that stupendous effort. 

Playing first Rajasthan Royals sailed to a strong position with half-centuries by Watson and Rahane.   A target was certainly challenging enough but the way Pune folded is regrettable.   Ganguly walked with Jesse Ryder and little known Chandila came on to bowl the first over.  3^rd ball there was a vociferous appeal against Ganguly turned out.  Off the 5^th Jesse Ryder lofted and gave a catch to mid-on; the next ball Sreevats Goswami (who was on air speaking to the commentary team) made a neat stumping to rattle Ganguly.   Much was to follow.  Of the 3^rd over, Sreevats was to effect another stumping beating Uthappa  and providing Chandila his hat-trick, incidentally, the first of this IPL season.

Chandila rejoices on his hat-trick

Photo courtesy - http://www.iplt20.com/

Somewhere around heard that Rahane has hit most no. of boundaries this season and earlier heard that Irfan Pathan has given most fours (not sure whether this season or overall IPL !! – dubious fame to the overpaid allrounder).  In the 5^th over, Chandila had another wicket – this time Majumdar hitting back to the  bowler.  His figures of 4-0-13-4 earned him the Man of the Match

With regards – S. Sampathkumar