Match 50 – Royals vs Warriors

After , extremely boring matches with teams getting all out for scores like 79 and 80, having huge batting line-ups on paper, you know this would never happen with Rajasthan Royals when the Gentleman himself, Rahul Dravid is in the team.
So here we are with Match no. 50 with Pune vs Rajasthan.
A lot of reasons to follow this match and some of the reasons being Rahul Dravid rolling back the years, Shilpa Shetty dancing and so on like that. How much ever you support a team or how much ever you hate a team, you just cannot wish for Royals to lose. Amazing young talent in the team who are performing much higher than their ability – Royals were bowling first in this match.
Awesome batting display by the opening pair with Robin Uthappa playing the innings this IPL which everyone has been hoping from him this year. Aaron Finch as usual was with his destructive self in shredding the ball. Scoring 97 runs for the opening partnership, Finch got bowled of a delivery which kept low of Kevon Cooper. In came the most awaited player of this team, Yuvraj Singh.
In cricket, there are sixes and then there are Yuvi’s Sixes. He showed us one of them before getting dismissed for a mere 15. Mitchell Marsh then took in the place at the center and got a well played 35 off 21 deliveries. Pune finished the innings with a six and with 178 on the board.
And now Rahul Dravid and Ajinkya Rahane made their way out for Royals innings to start.
Rahul Dravid has always been the man who has led the team from the front. Full of aggression and passion for the game, he still approaches the game as he did 10 years back. Never takes a delivery lightly or judges the ball only by its credit.
Played a very well innings for his half century. Making 98 for the opening partnership and Dravid departed making way for Shane Watson. Rahane on the other side batted like a boss. Watson did not last long but the score needed was 50 runs of last 30 balls with 8 wickets in hand. Should not have been difficult for the Royals.
But then Rahane mis-hit one shot and departed. Stuart Binny and Hodge made slow progress. 29 required of 18. 12 of them to be bowled by Wayne Parnell.
So 11 of Parnell’s first 6, gives Royals 18 of last 2 overs now. Were we having an exciting finish here?
Some big blows from Stuart Binny got Royals home. Just 5 needed of last 6 from Parnell. Should have been a cakewalk for the Royals  for sure.
The young sensation on the crease, Samson gave a regulation catch to a fielder and departs. Now 4 of 4 required. It will be kid stuff if royals don’t win here without hiccups.
James Faulkner does it for them. Life-saver. Wins with 1 ball to spare.
This is what is expected of IPL. The Salman Khan movies of cricket.
Stay tuned for more masala than your kitchen here.

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