In 2008, Kolkata kick started the inaugural
match of IPL in a fabulous way. It was Brendom McCullum who set the triumphant
tone of IPL 2008 and eventually demolished Bangalore out of game. The history
was repeated yesterday in the inaugural boxing match of IPL 2013 as well but it
was Sunil Narine who spins the Kolkata to win in opener. Kolkata performance
was a dominating one for the circumstances they played as a defending champion.
Sunil Narine and Rajat Bhatia who restricted the Delhi Daredevils batsmen and
Captain Gautam Gambhir anchored the bulk of the chase.
Gautam Gambhir won the toss and elected to
field, the luck was in favour of Kolkata to had a field first in the slower
track. Delhi start was not in line with the captain’s expectation Knight Riders
snatched the initiative as early as the first ball. Unmukt Chand, an emerging
star in Indian Cricket was beaten by a lovely outswinger from Brett Lee that
knocked out off stump. Narine played a pivotal role in Knight Riders victorious
season in 2012 and his variation was confounding the batsmen. After Chand’s
dismissal things were starting to build up but one again Narine had given the
breakthough in the form of David Warner who was baffled by a sharp offspinner
and persistently proving an ace for his captain. After Warner’s departs, wickets were falling at regular
interval.
Mahela Jaywardene, however, looked in
control, customising and adapting the condition expertly to the approach the
pitch demanded, restraining himself from playing blinder and rely on touch and
go process. Mahela’s significant contribution of 66 runs helped Delhi
DareDevils to stretch the score to 128 runs.
A sense of urgency was more evident in
Gambhir’s start to the chase, as he stepped out to smack Irfan for a four and a
six in third over, the latter clearing long – on despite of fall of wicket of
Bisla at second over. Jacques Kallis at the other end was finding the boundary
with lesser effort, timing the ball gloriously. The partnership added 47 runs
in less than six overs.
Gambhir ensured a steady run flow after
losing Kallis, but again Manoj and Gambhir were re – building the innings and
later on Gambhir and Manoj fell in quick succession, but Knight Riders were in
control of the chase. Morgan and Yusuf ensured that the task was completed to
prevent further hiccup and without any fuss.
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