MetroMaaZa 18

Jacques Kallis must have lost count how many times he has done this for South Africa.On Tuesday at the Bullring, it was Kallis’ turn to do it for Royal Challengers.135 was a tricky chase on a difficult wicket against Team Delhi and Kallis, opening the batting, had to bring all his experience into play to keep alive the Royal Challengers dream.

He found partners at crucial moments of the game and that helped him anchor the chase at the other end. While Rahul Dravid brought all his maturity into play to chip in with a valuable 38, Ross Taylor (25 off 12 balls) gave Royal Challengers the much-needed momentum.Taylor walked in after Dravid got out, but he didn’t lose any time to put a few into the galleries to bring the pressure down.After Taylor was dismissed, Kallis had the company of veteran Mark Boucher. They knew it was just a matter of hanging in there.The big shots came at the right time and now Royal Challengers, with 14 points, play a virtual quarterfinal against Team Hyderabad on Thursday for a semis spot.

Earlier, a double blow in the first over by Praveen Kumar had put Delhi in a spot.Virender Sehwag couldn’t keep his flick down while Mithun Manhas gloved at attempted hook to leave the Royal Challengers on a high.With the pitch having something in it for the pacemen, Gautam Gambhir (27) and AB de Villiers (28) knew there was no point going for big shots.They took their time against Praveen and Kallis to lend a platfrom to Delhi from where they could put up a fight.

But the Royal Challengers looked a determined lot and kept taking the wickets at the right intervals which ensured that Delhi never ran away to a big score. While a dangerous-looking De Villiers missed a cut off Van der Merwe to lose his off bail, Anil Kumble (2-24) brought his experience into play to make life a touch difficult for Team Delhi.

It was left to Dinesh Karthik (31) and Farveez Maharoof (20 n.o.) to keep it going so that the bowlers at least have something to bowl at. Karthik kept looking for the gaps, taking those singles while Maharoof tried to go for the big shot just when the opportunity presented itself. But in the end, it was Kallis who called the shots to take Royal Challengers closer to semis.

Video Source: DVD
Host: Zshare
Chapters: 20

Toss

1st Inning: Delhi Daredevils
part 1
part 2
part 3
part 4
part 5
part 6
part 7
part 8
part 9
part 10
part 11
part 12
part 13
part 14
part 15
part 16
part 17
part 18
part 19
part 20

Alternate 1st innings:
part 1
part 2

2nd Inning: Bangalore Royal Challengers
part 1
part 2
part 3
part 4
part 5
part 6
part 7
part 8
part 9
part 10
part 11
part 12
part 13
part 14
part 15
part 16
part 17
part 18
part 19

Alternate 2nd innings:
part 1
part 2

Presentation Ceremony