Date: 10th May 2012, 8 pm
Venue: Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Jaipur
Toss: Chennai Super Kings, Bowling
Result: Chennai won by 4 wickets (11 balls to spare)
MoM: Ben Hilfenhaus
When the second timeout happened, there were four overs to go and Chennai needed 47 runs with half their side back in the dugout awaiting the outcome of a possibly close game. Dhoni had just been dismissed and Dravid had his quicks to do the job who until then had impressive figures Tait 0/8 in 3, Pankaj Singh 1/17 in 3 and Watson 1/14 in 2.
Pankaj Singh was driven for a boundary on the first ball only to come back and have Jadeja caught at long-off. 43 from 22 and just 4 wickets in hand; the Royals had done brilliant in making a mountain out of a mole after having set Chennai a modest 127 to win. A cool and composed Dravid too was animated in joy and probably believed that it was game set match. But Chennai had More-Kill when Albie and Anirudha turned the match around in just 12 deliveries.
With a boundary and two sixes a pieces and duo once again proved that it aint over until its over and how unforgiving this season has been on death bowlers, including the very best. Singh went for 17, Watson for 18 and Tait for 12 in one literally ball 5, 1NB and 5W; to set up a 4 wicket win that looked unlikely barely 10 minutes ago, leaving the Royals heart broken.
With the game being delayed with some very untimely rains in Jaipur, Dhoni won the toss and bowled. There was ample of assistance for the bowlers and the batsmen struggled and clearly found it difficult. There was moisture in the wicket and a strong breeze making it almost perfect for the fast bowlers. It was all downhill for the Royals until Binny smashed things around to lift the teams spirits courtesy a cameo. Hodge once again showed why hes amongst the best in the business taking the Royals to 126; something to defend.
The bowlers once again stood up to the task after a very successful game against Pune. The speed trio were brilliant and so were the slow bowlers in Botha and Trivedi, who bowled fantastically well to take the wickets of Bravo and Dhoni. But it was the destructive onslaught from Morkel and Anirudha thereafter and the accurate bowling of Hilfenhaus (2/8 in 4 overs) earlier on that sealed it for Chennai. Ironically, it was Hilfenhaus who went for 14 in 3 balls a few nights ago!
Brief Scores:
Rajasthan Royals: 126/6 (20) - Stuart Binny 27 (18b, 3x4, 1x6), Brad Hodge 33 (28b, 2x4, 1x6), Ben Hilfenhaus 2/8 (4), Yo Mahesh 2/21 (4)
Chennai Super Kings: 127/6 (18.1) - Suresh Raina 23 (17b, 5x4), Albie Morkel 18* (6b, 1x4, 2x6), Sid Trivedi 2/18 (4)
Halla Bol!!!