So, 175 runs to be chased...without Maxwell. We shall see how this pans out. Big boundaries, low floodlights messing with the catches and a Kohli who's hungry to win. Sounds delicious, until BLR's bowling comes back to mind to kill a contest. Binny to start, no slip
Rahul and Kohli got the team off to a good start as they breezed to a fifty run stand. But the introduction of spin saw them lose their way as they toppled from 63-0 to 67-3 in a space of 8 balls. de Villiers and Baby had no option other than rebuilding. They did well to ensure that no more damage was done and kept the rate ticking along before AB decided that IT WAS TIME. Soon, Sandeep and Mohit found out that this man is a different beast and executing plans at the death isn't quite the same. But just when AB looked to be going into overdrive, he sliced one straight to short third man. His wicket chopped off around 15-20 runs from where BLR could have ended. Still, they have put the runs on the board and Punjab have to get them.
19.6 -
Sandeep Sharma to Sachin Baby, out Sachin Baby Run Out!! 1 run completed. And there's a wicket off the last ball too! Sachin Baby slams this slower full ball to long-on and calls for two. Binny responds but Miller was too quick to get to the ball, sends in a flat throw to Saha who catches Baby short. Wasn't even in the frame. Sachin Baby run out (D Miller/W Saha) 33(29) [4s-1]
Sandeep Sharma to Sachin Baby, THAT'S OUT!! Run Out!!
Stuart Binny, right handed bat, comes to the crease
19.5 -
Sandeep Sharma to Head, out Caught by Vijay!! Brilliant catch from the skipper! Kept his eyes on the ball, ran all around it and managed to clasp it with both hands. It was full and wide, Head went for the loft and skied it into orbit. Vijay from cover, ran back and ensured he didn't lose sight of the ball. Took it over his right shoulder. Head c Vijay b Sandeep Sharma 11(7) [4s-1]
Sandeep Sharma to Head, THAT'S OUT!! Caught!!
19.4 -
Sandeep Sharma to Head, 2 runs, serves width outside off and Head looks to flay that over cover, another mistimed shot that fetches him a couple of runs
19.3 -
Sandeep Sharma to Head, FOUR, kept it full and straight but Head was up for it. Lets the ball dip and swats it straight down the ground
19.3 -
Sandeep Sharma to Head, wide, slower one bowled well outside the tramline, Head swings and misses
19.2 -
Sandeep Sharma to Head, 2 runs, low full toss outside off, Head goes too hard on the loft and mistimes it towards an onrushing long-off
19.1 -
Sandeep Sharma to Head, 2 runs, fuller, slower outside off, Head stoops low and looks to go big through cover. Should have been a single but Vijay looks to stop the ball one-handed and ends up conceding an extra run
Must say, PUN's death bowling has been really exceptional. Mohit Sharma and Sandeep Sharma, in particular, have done well in tandem
18.6 -
Mohit Sharma to Sachin Baby, 2 runs, too full and straight, Sachin Baby slogs and it goes off the thick inside half towards deep backward square
18.6 -
Mohit Sharma to Sachin Baby, wide, full and down leg, but this time it didn't clip the pads
18.5 -
Mohit Sharma to Head, 1 run, another full toss and Head fails to put that away, heaves but didn't get the timing right, another single in the same region
18.4 -
Mohit Sharma to Sachin Baby, 1 run, full toss outside off, Sachin Baby wasn't expecting that, drags the pull off the toe-end along the ground, a single to deep mid-wicket
18.4 -
Mohit Sharma to Sachin Baby, wide, probably he expected Sachin Baby to move around the crease for this one too. But, the batsman didn't move. Stood still and kept his eyes on the ball, bowled full and down leg, flicked the pad en route to Saha. But umpire Kumar Dharmasena thinks otherwise
18.3 -
Mohit Sharma to Sachin Baby, no run, sees Sachin Baby standing outside leg-stump and ups his pace this time, nutmegs him beating the wild bat swing. Superb delivery!
18.2 -
Mohit Sharma to Sachin Baby, no run, follows Sachin Baby who was backing away, bowls a low full toss at the pads, played back towards the bowler
18.1 -
Mohit Sharma to Sachin Baby, 2 runs, rolled his fingers over this short delivery, Sachin Baby stays back and pulls behind square leg. Anureet Singh throws himself at deep backward square and flicks the ball back to save a couple of runs
17.6 -
Sandeep Sharma to Head, no run, the slower one cut across Head who flays his hands, but fails to get willow on leather
Travis Head, left handed bat, comes to the crease
17.5 -
Sandeep Sharma to de Villiers, out Caught by Cariappa!! Gone! PUN can breathe a sigh of relief now. Was a yorker outside off and AB was looking to dab it over short third man. Took it on the half-volley and opened his bat face late, but erred in timing. Off the toe-end and spoons a simple catch to Cariappa who accepts it gleefully. de Villiers c Cariappa b Sandeep Sharma 64(35) [4s-5 6s-2]
Sandeep Sharma to de Villiers, THAT'S OUT!! Caught!!
17.4 -
Sandeep Sharma to Sachin Baby, 1 run, full toss and tilting in towards middle and leg, Sachin Baby chips it down to long-on
17.3 -
Sandeep Sharma to de Villiers, 1 run, the slower short one outside off, bounces more than AB expected, he chops the pull into the off-side and sneaks in a quick single
17.2 -
Sandeep Sharma to de Villiers, FOUR, full toss again, this time from over the wicket though, doesn't matter as AB spanks it wide of long-off
17.1 -
Sandeep Sharma to de Villiers, SIX, and what does AB do? He backs away a long, long way...is waiting for the slower one to arrive and when it does, he smack-bangs the scoop over the fine leg fence. Coming to the delivery: Sandeep Sharma came in from round the wicket and bowled a full toss. Read that again, a full toss to AB
Still 18 balls to go. How much can BLR get? I reckon anything around 170 will be a safe total
16.6 -
Mohit Sharma to de Villiers, 1 run, off-pace delivery, short and just around off, AB swivels and pulls through mid-wicket
16.5 -
Mohit Sharma to de Villiers, FOUR, another AB special. Fifty for him, gets down quickly and takes the slower one on the half-volley and scoops it behind square. Rocketed away to the fence!
16.4 -
Mohit Sharma to de Villiers, FOUR, the slower short one outside off, doesn't intimidate AB who backs away and slaps it straight down the ground. Clean hit!
16.3 -
Mohit Sharma to de Villiers, 2 runs, another slower one that refuses to rise, bowled at 108ks. AB had to wait for an eternity, ends up chopping it through mid-off. Behardien swoops in and sends a laser-like throw at the bowler's end. Had that hit Sachin Baby would have been a goner
16.2 -
Mohit Sharma to de Villiers, 2 runs, gets his yorker right, on and around off, de Villiers brings his bat down in time. Drives it off the toe-end wide of extra cover
16.1 -
Mohit Sharma to Sachin Baby, 1 run, sees Sachin Baby backing away and tucks him up for room. The off-cutter around middle, Baby seeks to drive it on the up. Meekly chips over cover and hustles for a single
Mohit Sharma [1.0-0-11-0] is back into the attack
Mohit Sharma to bowl now. Mind you! He still has 3 overs left
15.6 -
Sandeep Sharma to de Villiers, 2 runs, full on the stumps, de Villiers steps to leg and drives it to deep cover, another couple on offer and that takes AB into the 40s
15.5 -
Sandeep Sharma to de Villiers, FOUR, backs away early and smashes this through extra cover, AB is unleashing. Watchout fellas!
15.4 -
Sandeep Sharma to de Villiers, 2 runs, fuller one drifting in towards middle, de Villiers digs it wide of long-on and calls for two
15.3 -
Sandeep Sharma to de Villiers, SIX, that's a AB classic! Sinks on one knee and takes the slower one on the full to lap-slap it over the fine leg fence. All the way for a maximum. Brings up the 50-run stand too
15.2 -
Sandeep Sharma to Sachin Baby, 1 run, slower, shorter, wider at 126ks. Sachin Baby stays put and brings his bottom hand into play, driven through extra cover
15.1 -
Sandeep Sharma to de Villiers, 1 run, nails the yorker first ball, de Villiers can't do much about it, manages to squeeze it into the leg-side for a single
Sandeep Sharma [1.0-0-9-0] is back into the attack
Strategic time-out! Final 5 overs coming up, de Villiers will be the key for BLR. PUN have been so good in the death overs (in the last 3 games). Can they continue the same trend? Sandeep Sharma trundles in...
14.6 -
Axar to Sachin Baby, 2 runs, splays one on leg-stump, Sachin Baby swipes through mid-wicket. Miller gets across and dives, but a fumble allows an extra run
14.5 -
Axar to de Villiers, 1 run, slips one full around off, de Villiers drives to long-off
14.4 -
Axar to Sachin Baby, 1 run, quicker and flatter on middle, Sachin Baby tries to repeat the same shot but he didn't get all of it this time, drags it off the bottom half towards deep mid-wicket
14.3 -
Axar to Sachin Baby, FOUR, touch short and Sachin Baby is so good with that slog sweep. At least seems so. Drops to one knee and picks the gap at mid-wicket, timed the shot to perfection and gets the desired result
14.2 -
Axar to Sachin Baby, 2 runs, another arm-ball, angled well outside off, Sachin Baby thumps it over extra cover, hard hands
14.1 -
Axar to de Villiers, 1 run, goes on with the arm and stops a touch around off, de Villiers angles his bat to glide it towards point
Axar Patel [3.0-0-16-1] is back into the attack
The ball is holding up a little bit and spinners are getting some purchase. Axar to continue...
13.6 -
Cariappa to Sachin Baby, no run, the quicker one outside off, Sachin Baby slashes hard and misses
13.5 -
Cariappa to Sachin Baby, 2 runs, gets into nice position early. Knelt down and timed the sweep but there is protection in the deep. Fielder from mid-wicket does well to run to his left and dives to keep it down to two
Cariappa pulls out of his delivery stride. Has to reload that again
13.4 -
Cariappa to Sachin Baby, 2 runs, this one spins away outside off, Sachin Baby steps to leg and drives hard wide of extra cover
13.3 -
Cariappa to de Villiers, 1 run, skidder outside off, eased to long-off
13.2 -
Cariappa to Sachin Baby, 1 run, might have slipped out of his hand! A full toss outside off but Sachin Baby lets it go scot-free, meekly chips it down to long-off. A missed opportunity that
13.1 -
Cariappa to de Villiers, 1 run, floater bowled full around off, de Villiers keeps his front leg out of the way as he leans into a drive towards long-off
12.6 -
Stoinis to Sachin Baby, 2 runs, gets too straight again, Sachin Baby picks it off his pads to send the clip fine, a double towards fine leg to cap off the over
12.5 -
Stoinis to de Villiers, 1 run, attacking the stumps again, AB laps one to fine leg and is off for a single, sensible stuff!
12.4 -
Stoinis to de Villiers, FOUR, cannot give so much width to AB. He will smash that all day. Camped on the back foot and clobbered it through covers
12.3 -
Stoinis to Sachin Baby, 1 run, fullish on the stumps, Sachin Baby lifts it towards long-on, nice extension of the arms
Mahela Jayawardene speaking on skype reckons KOL have a better chance of winning this T20 League. Also speaks about Kohli's form and adds "He is someone who knows his gameplan and executes it very well."
12.2 -
Stoinis to de Villiers, 1 run, 133ks length on middle and leg, de Villiers closes his bat face on the drive, a single to long-on
12.1 -
Stoinis to Sachin Baby, 1 run, the off-cutter just outside off, Sachin Baby shuffled across and wristed it in front of mid-wicket, wanted a second, but there was never one there
Marcus Stoinis [2.0-0-25-0] is back into the attack
Stoinis is back for his second burst
11.6 -
Cariappa to Sachin Baby, 1 run, sits on one knee and uses the pace of the delivery to lap it towards short fine
11.5 -
Cariappa to Sachin Baby, no run, flatter and skids on outside off, Sachin Baby biffs hard after getting low, straight back at the bowler though
11.4 -
Cariappa to de Villiers, 1 run, the leggie outside off, de Villiers throws his hands on the drive, square on the off-side for a single
11.3 -
Cariappa to Sachin Baby, 1 run, floated full on leg, Sachin Baby crouches low and nudges through mid-wicket
11.2 -
Cariappa to de Villiers, 1 run, slows this one up and bowls it outside off, de Villiers drives through cover and is happy with a single
11.1 -
Cariappa to de Villiers, 2 runs, 100ks, seam-up sprayed down leg, de Villiers gets across and flicks to fine leg. Was a poor delivery and Cariappa got away with that
KC Cariappa [1.0-0-3-2] is back into the attack
10.6 -
Axar to de Villiers, 1 run, sits back and stabs this quicker one towards cover
10.5 -
Axar to de Villiers, 2 runs, steps back and pulls along the ground through mid-wicket
10.4 -
Axar to de Villiers, 2 runs, skids on from a fullish length, AB drives wide of long-off
10.3 -
Axar to de Villiers, no run, driven towards cover
10.2 -
Axar to de Villiers, no run, the slider from Axar Patel. de Villiers went too far inside the crease, was looking to pull but the ball didn't rise much. Gets an inside edge onto his pad. Could have easily gone onto hit the stumps, lucky!
10.1 -
Axar to Sachin Baby, 1 run, straighter one, Sachin Baby tucks to square leg and scampers for an easy single
9.6 -
Anureet Singh to Sachin Baby, 1 run, another slower delivery, which has been the order so far, Baby turns it to square leg and picks up a single
9.5 -
Anureet Singh to Sachin Baby, 2 runs, off-pace delivery which Baby dropped in front of cover point, set off for a quick single. The throw had no backing up at the striker's end and that allows an overthrow as well
9.4 -
Anureet Singh to Sachin Baby, no run, perhaps a leg-cutter, Baby was on the back foot, hurriedly defends in the end
9.3 -
Anureet Singh to de Villiers, 1 run, de Villiers gets a little stride forward and then punches this length ball to long-off
9.2 -
Anureet Singh to de Villiers, 2 runs, short ball and de Villiers hangs back to pull it to deep mid-wicket for a couple of runs
9.1 -
Anureet Singh to de Villiers, no run, slower ball outside off, de Villiers drives to the right of extra cover, who dives and saves a few runs for his side
Anureet Singh [2.0-0-9-0] is back into the attack
8.6 -
Axar to Sachin Baby, no run, Patel has been coming over the wicket for Baby, keeps it on the stumps for Baby who wrists the defence back to the bowler
8.5 -
Axar to Sachin Baby, no run, slow floater around off, Baby push-drives to short cover
Slip in place
Sachin Baby, left handed bat, comes to the crease
8.4 -
Axar to Watson, out Bowled!! All of a sudden Punjab are back in it and now it is the turn of Patel to get on the wickets chart. Short slow ball on the stumps, did not rise much as Watson wanted to pull it, was too early on the shot. The ball crashes into middle and leg. With that the players will take a time-out as well. Watson b Axar 1(3)
Axar to Watson, THAT'S OUT!! Bowled!!
8.3 -
Axar to de Villiers, 1 run, arm-ball, de Villiers accounts for the angle and then punches to long-off
8.2 -
Axar to Watson, 1 run, flat and quick on the stumps, Watson punches it to long-on
8.1 -
Axar to de Villiers, 1 run, de Villiers moves leg-side and drives in front of sweeper cover
Axar Patel [1.0-0-7-0] is back into the attack
7.6 -
Cariappa to Watson, no run, how well does he vary the pace! Once again for the new man, cut his pace and kept it around off. Watson defends off the front foot
Shane Watson, right handed bat, comes to the crease
7.5 -
Cariappa to Kohli, out Caught by Vijay!! And another one! Big one. Kohli it is. Cariappa has devoured Kohli. What a blow this is! Kohli took a step forward but was not quite to the pitch of the ball, went with the shot anyway and spooned to Vijay at short cover. Kohli c Vijay b Cariappa 20(21) [4s-2]
Cariappa to Kohli, THAT'S OUT!! Caught!!
7.4 -
Cariappa to de Villiers, 1 run, slows it against ABD and keeps it on the pads, he moves across and works to mid-wicket
AB de Villiers, right handed bat, comes to the crease
7.3 -
Cariappa to Rahul, out Bowled!! Mystery spinner provides the breakthrough Punjab needed desperately. Rahul wanted to sweep it after moving across, this was a quicker seam-up delivery that eluded his shot and bowled him around his legs. Rahul b Cariappa 42(25) [4s-6 6s-1]
Cariappa to Rahul, THAT'S OUT!! Bowled!!
7.2 -
Cariappa to Kohli, 1 run, no turn whatsoever as Cariappa keeps it on the stumps, Kohli drives it softly to long-off
7.1 -
Cariappa to Rahul, 1 run, floater on the stumps, Rahul has no issues in easing it to long-on
KC Cariappa, right-arm off break, comes into the attack
6.6 -
Stoinis to Kohli, 2 runs, Stoinis bowls a full toss and also gave a bit of room this time. It was enough for Kohli to let his arms take over on the drive, sends it to the right of Miller at sweeper cover for a couple of runs
6.5 -
Stoinis to Kohli, no run, tight lines from Stoinis, keeps it on a length and on the stumps, Kohli nurdles to Amla at mid-wicket
6.4 -
Stoinis to Rahul, 1 run, Marcus once again rolled his fingers on this delivery, Rahul was shaping for a drive through the off-side, closed his wrists at the last moment and nudged towards long-on
6.3 -
Stoinis to Kohli, 1 run, short of a fuller length on the stumps, Kohli prods across and wrists the drive to long-on
6.2 -
Stoinis to Kohli, no run, looked like another off pace delivery, Kohli works to mid-wicket, where a diving effort denies him a single
6.1 -
Stoinis to Rahul, 1 run, slower delivery outside off, kept a bit low as well. Rahul waits and steers to third man for a single
Marcus Stoinis [1.0-0-20-0] is back into the attack
5.6 -
Axar to Kohli, no run, pushes this one to the left of the bowler, was in the air for a while but away from the reach of Axar
5.5 -
Axar to Kohli, 2 runs, this is excellent running between the two, Kohli softly nudged this one through mid-wicket, fielder had to come in from the deep and that allowed the duo to add another run
5.4 -
Axar to Kohli, no run, flatter and quicker on the stumps, Kohli defends back to the bowler
5.3 -
Axar to Rahul, 1 run, works this flatter delivery towards mid-wicket and adds a single to the total
5.2 -
Axar to Rahul, no run, Rahul tries to go for the sweep shot but does not connect, was struck on the pad but well outside off
5.1 -
Axar to Rahul, FOUR, use of the feet straightaway against the spinner, there was no long-on in place and that helped Rahul. Uses his wrists as he lifts it over the fielder at mid-on, one bounce over the ropes
Axar Patel, left-arm orthodox, comes into the attack
4.6 -
Anureet Singh to Kohli, no run, good length delivery on the stumps, Kohli punches straight to the fielder at mid-wicket
4.5 -
Anureet Singh to Rahul, 1 run, similar delivery but this time Rahul smartly moved to leg-side and gave himself some space to run it down to third man for a single
4.4 -
Anureet Singh to Rahul, no run, off cutter? Perhaps, right on the stumps, Rahul stands in his crease and defends towards the off-side
4.3 -
Anureet Singh to Rahul, 2 runs, Rahul works this softly towards mid-wicket where the fielder fumbled and that was enough for both these to add the second as well
4.2 -
Anureet Singh to Kohli, 1 run, easy one for Kohli, does not have to do much, waits and taps this length delivery past point towards third man for a single
4.1 -
Anureet Singh to Rahul, 1 run, Saha is up to the stumps, back of a length delivery from Anureet, Rahul punches to the left of extra cover and picks up a single
Anureet Singh [1.0-0-4-0] is back into the attack
There is a gentle breeze blowing at this moment
3.6 -
Stoinis to Rahul, 1 run, Stoinis is forced to shorten the length this time, allows Rahul the time to get across and work it towards backward square leg for a single
3.5 -
Stoinis to Rahul, FOUR, brute followed by cuteness. Almost fetches it off the keeper's gloves, waited and waited some more before steering this delivery into the third man fence
3.4 -
Stoinis to Rahul, SIX, steps down the track and moves leg-side to make a bit of room, throws his bat on it and times it well. The ball carried way over the sweeper cover fence
3.3 -
Stoinis to Rahul, FOUR, slower short ball and Rahul did not look in control of the pull shot, was in the air for a while but there was no fielder at deep mid-wicket and it raced away to the fence
3.2 -
Stoinis to Rahul, FOUR, this is not going to help, shortish ball down the leg-side, Rahul whips it past the keeper into the fine leg fence
3.1 -
Stoinis to Kohli, 1 run, back of a length delivery on the stumps, Kohli works around the corner for a single
Marcus Stoinis, right-arm medium, comes into the attack
2.6 -
Mohit Sharma to Kohli, 1 run, what has he done? Stoinis drops Kohli. Kohli moved leg side after coming down the track and once again tried to flay the drive on the up, the ball held up a bit and came late, making the drive go in the air towards Stoinis at backward point, who could not latch onto it as he moved to his left
2.5 -
Mohit Sharma to Kohli, FOUR, the ball is not coming nicely onto the bat. Once again Kohli was early on the drive, took the bottom hand off the bat as he drove it on the up, the ball was in the air for a while but away from the reach of the man at cover
2.4 -
Mohit Sharma to Rahul, 1 run, strays in line this time and bowls on the pads of Rahul. But the length was a bit better and that will save Mohit, Rahul flicks it towards deep square leg
2.3 -
Mohit Sharma to Rahul, no run, Sharma goes touch fuller this time and keeps it around off, Rahul defends off the outer part of the bat towards backward point
2.2 -
Mohit Sharma to Rahul, FOUR, uppish but that will do. Some room outside off and Rahul opened the face of the bat on the punch, got it past the fielder at backward point, third man had no chance to his right
2.1 -
Mohit Sharma to Rahul, no run, oh movement off the pitch, Rahul flayed his bat at it, was lucky that he did not get an edge
2.1 -
Mohit Sharma to Rahul, wide, tennis ball like bounce on this short ball that rose a lot more than Mohit intended, called a wide
Mohit Sharma, right-arm medium, comes into the attack
The other Sharma to bowl now. Mohit has the ball
1.6 -
Anureet Singh to Rahul, 1 run, just about enough width outside off to open the face of the bat to run this one down to third man for a single
1.5 -
Anureet Singh to Rahul, no run, Saha is up to the stumps and that is not allowling Rahul to use his front foot much. Was forced to defend this length delivery back to the bowler
1.4 -
Anureet Singh to Kohli, 1 run, length delivery outside off, Kohli does not venture out, stays in his crease and dabs it to third man
Saha is up to the stumps
1.3 -
Anureet Singh to Rahul, 1 run, touch short outside off, Rahul wanted to cut it, ended up chopping into the ground. The ball rolled towards the wicket-keeper
1.2 -
Anureet Singh to Kohli, 1 run, Anureet dragged back the length around off, Kohli dabs to third man. Ran the first one hard but there was never a couple on offer
1.1 -
Anureet Singh to Kohli, no run, keeps it full outside off, enticing Kohli to drive. Kohli did so but could not find the gap past point
Anureet Singh, right-arm fast medium, comes into the attack
No slip for Anureet
0.6 -
Sandeep Sharma to Rahul, no run, shortens the length a bit this time, Rahul wanted to steal a single after tapping it towards cover point. Kohli was not interested, sent back in time
0.5 -
Sandeep Sharma to Rahul, FOUR, half volley and that is a gift for Rahul, who obliges. Gets forward and caresses the drive past cover
0.4 -
Sandeep Sharma to Kohli, 1 run, fuller on the pads of Kohli, he prods across and clips to deep square leg
0.3 -
Sandeep Sharma to Kohli, no run, this one nipped in a bit off the surface, Kohli defends back
0.2 -
Sandeep Sharma to Kohli, FOUR, bit of width on offer and that is enough for Kohli to get off the mark, stays on the back foot and cuts through the cover region with ease. Finding the gap has always been easy for him
0.1 -
Sandeep Sharma to Kohli, no run, good length ball on the stumps, Kohli gets across and works to the right of mid-on
Kohli and Rahul are at the crease. Kohli is on strike. Sandeep Sharma will open the attack
As good a humdinger as they come. And you could argue that BLR got out of jail in the end. This loss might well bury PUN's hopes of qualification as they now have 7 losses against their name. But full credit to them for making a good fist of it. There is an evident wave of resurgence since Vijay has taken over. Anyway, that's all we have to offer from this one. This is Sagar Chawla bidding goodbye on behalf of Abhishek Chaudhary, Raju Peethala, Pratyush Sinha, and our scorer Venki. Ciao!
"It's definitely nice to get a bit of momentum for the BLR. We have had our ups and downs throughout the tournament. It was as close as it gets, but nice to put smiles on a lot of faces. At the top of the mark, I want to be clear about what I want to bowl. Have no doubts. Then think about how to execute when I'm running in. It's about trying to preempt what the batsman will do. With the quality of batsmen in this era, it's quite challenging," says Watson who is Man of the Match
"Poker face. Absolute poker face [him not showing emotions in the final overs]. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't tense. We can't complain. Beggars are not choosers. Just happy with the two points. I would credit Vijay the way he batted. The wicket wasn't easy in the middle period. But he picked his areas. KL was going well so I thought of hanging there. Losing two wickets in an over is always criminal. I thrive on building the innings, it was criminal of me to get out in the same over. No one better than AB in the death overs, the way he executed those yorkers over square leg for sixes. No one would have been able to do that. Credit to Jordan, everyone has off days. But he was able to hold his composure off the final two balls," says a relieved (as much as anything) Kohli.
"It went to the last over so it's a good game of cricket. A lot of positives for us like the batting aspect. Even the bowlers did a good job to keep them to 170-ish. Just asked my bowlers to stick to their lines and it took an AB to do what he did. All I told Stoinis was to take the game deep and not attempt fancy shots. Just back your strengths. That's what Stoinis did but unfortunately he couldn't take us over the line. Everyone is maintaining a good environment which is important for us to finish well," says an apparently disappointed Vijay.
Heartbreak comes in different shapes and sizes. For Punjab it came in the form of Shane Watson. The Aussie, choked Punjab by devouring Vijay, who looked all set to see his side home with a brilliant batting effort up front. Despite losing Vijay, Punjab were in it when the Aussie came to bowl the 19th over with the hosts needing 24. But Watson allowed only 7 runs in the penultimate over to make the equation too tough to tackle in the end. One must feel for Stoinis too, who did everything right but missed out on two full tosses in the end. Earlier, Punjab started patiently and Vijay continued to build partnerships to keep his side in the game. But in the end, it was just not Punjab's day, who are all but out of the reckoning for a place in the playoffs.
19.6 -
Jordan to Stoinis, 2 runs, and full-toss Jordan has done the trick. Not one has he drilled in the blockhole, but it doesn't matter now. Oh Stoinis, he did so many right things but missed out on two full bungers back to back. Loses his shape trying to butcher it into the Himalayas but mistimes it to deep mid-wicket. Kohli is roaring his guts out. Easy man, easy. Phew, I'm exhausted!
A boundary needed off the final ball.
19.5 -
Jordan to Stoinis, 2 runs, oh he's missed out on a full toss. Oh sheesh! His bottom hand came off and he could only slice it to deep cover. Then runs as hell to get back
19.4 -
Jordan to Stoinis, no run, anyone saw the Game of Thrones episode today? I didn't. But hell I'm ready now. What drama! The plot keeps thickening. Stoinis moves across to get in the position to scoop. Seeing him move, Jordan bowls it wide outside off. Stoinis tries to adjust and dab it away but misses. It's well over the tramline but the umpire's arms stay tucked as Stoinis had moved
Only a hit away. 6 needed off 3.
19.3 -
Jordan to Stoinis, SIX, Marcus Stoinis, you freaking beast! Takes a couple of steps down the track and launches a length ball over long-off. Just about clears the ropes. Preity Zinta looks like she's having a stroke
19.2 -
Jordan to Stoinis, FOUR, Stoinis keeps BLR hearts pounding. What a shot! Ventured to the leg-side as everyone in the off-side, save long off, was up in the ring. Then drills a half-volley from middle stump through the covers
19.1 -
Jordan to Behardien, 1 run, oh Jordan gets away with a full toss. Behardien finds the man at deep backward square with a mistimed slog
17 required off the final over! Do the home side have a hero? And what am I seeing here? Holy Jon Snow! The ball has been tossed over to Chris Jordan who has looked terribly off colour since coming to India.
18.6 -
Watson to Behardien, 1 run, good grief, what a time to nail the yorker. Right up there in the blockhole just outside off, and Behardien can only jam it to long-off
18.5 -
Watson to Stoinis, 1 run, look at the emotions out there. Stoinis groans in anguish as he knows he's missed out. Full ball, right in the slot just outside off. Stoinis tries to slog it with all his might but the bat twists in his hands and he swats it tamely down to long-on
18.4 -
Watson to Stoinis, no run, oh this is unnerving! This time he tries to back away and ramp a short ball over the keeper but he misses out
18.3 -
Watson to Stoinis, FOUR, full toss, full toss, and it's been put in the grave! Stoinis backs away and carves it past backward point. Skimmed off the turf
18.2 -
Watson to Behardien, 1 run, Behardien is hurried by a short ball, it catches his splice on the pull and spoons up. No one behind square in the ring though and he gets away
18.1 -
Watson to Behardien, no run, spears in a full ball just outside off which whistles past Behardien's outside edge as he attempts an inside out loft. Dot!
24 needed from 12! Who can keep their nerve? That's all what this is about.
17.6 -
Jordan to Stoinis, FOUR, oh yes, brilliant! Much needed boundary this as it keeps the equation in their favour. Stoinis is quickly into position for the scoop, bends across off and laps the full ball over short fine
17.5 -
Jordan to Stoinis, 2 runs, Stoinis shuffles across to a full ball and flicks it nicely through the mid-wicket region. There's a definite couple on offer here with the ground the fielder has to make. And they complete it without fuss
17.4 -
Jordan to Behardien, 1 run, that's the third full toss in a row. Can't quite call it a low one either. Behardien slaps it past a diving extra-cover but how good is AB! Hoverboards across from long-off and keeps them to a single
17.3 -
Jordan to Stoinis, 1 run, another low full toss, bends back in on middle and leg, Stoinis drills it to long-on
17.2 -
Jordan to Behardien, 1 run, full toss angled in on middle, driven to long-on
17.1 -
Jordan to Behardien, FOUR, don't look at Kohli. Just don't. He'd kill you with just a glare. Short and wide outside off, Behardien cuts it smoothly through the point region, Head gets there from deep cover and lets it through his hands. Oh dear!
Farhaan Behardien, right handed bat, comes to the crease
Chris Jordan [2.0-0-24-0] is back into the attack
16.6 -
Watson to Vijay, out Caught by Chahal!! Here's the opportunity, here's the opportunity .. and Chahal makes no mistake at deep square leg. Banged in short by Watson, might have rolled his fingers across as it seemed to have held up on Vijay's heave. It causes him to mistime it in the air. Chahal sees it all the way and awkwardly cups it in front of his chest before tumbling down. Vijay c Chahal b Watson 89(57) [4s-12 6s-1]
Watson to Vijay, THAT'S OUT!! Caught!!
16.5 -
Watson to Vijay, no run, Watson executes the wide yorker well, but isn't that wide of the tramlines? Umm, a close shave
16.4 -
Watson to Vijay, no run, backs away a long way and is bestowed with a short and wide one as a gift for his footwork. But fails to connect with the upper-cut
16.3 -
Watson to Vijay, 2 runs, oh that looked so good in real time. But it didn't go very far. That's because he got it off the bottom of the bat. Cleared his front leg to make room and lofted an overpitched delivery inside out over extra-cover. A brace
16.2 -
Watson to Stoinis, 1 run, short ball which is rolled down to deep mid-wicket with a controlled pull
16.1 -
Watson to Stoinis, no run, short ball outside off, there's a lot of width on offer and Stoinis tries to make good of it with a dab down to third man. But the bounce is too much for him. Fizzes over his top-edge
Shane Watson [2.0-0-12-1] is back into the attack
Vijay is playing a real gem here and if he stays the course, PUN will be home in no time. BLR have a strategic time-out here to think things over. 40 needed off 4 overs.
15.6 -
Chahal to Vijay, 2 runs, clipped through the mid-wicket region and it's placed in the pocket for a couple
15.5 -
Chahal to Vijay, FOUR, what was that! This is like a candidate failing a driving test in India. Never happens. Vijay, for once, pulls out the reverse sweep. And the shortish length helps his cause. Biffs it past short third man
15.4 -
Chahal to Stoinis, 1 run, hops out of the crease and works a single down to long-on
15.3 -
Chahal to Vijay, 1 run, quicker googly fired in to follow Vijay's movements, clipped through mid-wicket
15.2 -
Chahal to Vijay, FOUR, oh stop doing this already! Too many poor balls. A rank bad long-hop on leg-stump, Vijay bends his knees and whacks it past a diving short fine leg
15.1 -
Chahal to Stoinis, 1 run, flatter leg-break skidding on from middle, nudged to long-on
Yuzvendra Chahal [3.0-0-17-2] is back into the attack
14.6 -
Aaron to Vijay, no run, slower back of a length delivery outside off which bounces more and beats his dab
14.5 -
Aaron to Vijay, FOUR, he is able to find the boundary off most overs. This one shouldn't have crossed the ropes though. Not after Jordan did all the hard work by getting there with a dive, but it sneaks through. Low full toss outside off which is drilled hard by Vijay and gets to the fence
14.4 -
Aaron to Vijay, 2 runs, now he backs away and lofts a length ball in the air. Gets it more towards the cue end and is lucky that it drops short and wide of Kohli at long-off
14.3 -
Aaron to Vijay, no run, Vijay has walked well across off to whip a full ball but hits it straight to square leg. Stoinis is already halfway down and would have been gone with a direct-hit
14.2 -
Aaron to Vijay, 2 runs, stays flat-footed to a length ball outside off, and pats it through the point region. Huge square boundaries here, and that enables a second
14.1 -
Aaron to Stoinis, 1 run, good pace on this one but it's misdirected down leg, Stoinis rises on his toes and glances it down to fine leg
Varun Aaron [2.0-0-16-0] is back into the attack
13.6 -
I Abdulla to Vijay, no run, what was he doing there? Shortish and slowish drifting down leg, Vijay is puzzled by the lack of pace and just can't decide when to bring the bat down on the flick. Raps him on the pad in the end, but going well down leg
13.5 -
I Abdulla to Vijay, FOUR, back to back boundaries! Slightly more air on this one but it's too full. Vijay drills a punch straight of long-on and it simply rockets off his bat. One bounce and over the ropes
13.4 -
I Abdulla to Vijay, FOUR, not at all what Vijay intended, but who cares. Abdulla fires this one wider, and Vijay tries to fetch it with a massive slog. He's nowhere near it but the resultant outside edge zooms away past short third man
13.3 -
I Abdulla to Stoinis, 1 run, darts it short outside off, cut away to sweeper cover
13.2 -
I Abdulla to Stoinis, no run, whips one to the right of Abdulla off the back foot, but is denied a single by an adorable dive
13.1 -
I Abdulla to Vijay, leg byes, 1 run, fires one in with the arm and hits the pads of Vijay as he misses a flick. Still gets a leg-bye
Iqbal Abdulla [2.0-0-17-0] is back into the attack
72 needed from 42. At this ground, it can be done (easily, if I might add). BLR need a slew of wickets.
12.6 -
Jordan to Vijay, 1 run, languidly drives a full ball to deep cover
12.5 -
Jordan to Vijay, FOUR, the second boundary off the Jordan over. His induction into the T20 League is certainly not going as per plan. A rough couple of games now. It might be speaking too soon though as he still has a couple of overs. Anyway, he bowls this one full on the pads and is flicked past square leg with those rubber wrists
12.4 -
Jordan to Stoinis, 1 run, stands upright to a short of length delivery which doesn't get up much, somehow forces a pull behind square. It's Kohli there in the deep and they dare not take him on
12.3 -
Jordan to Stoinis, no run, pitched up just outside off, driven to mid-off
12.2 -
Jordan to Vijay, 1 run, follows a backing-away Vijay with a yorker and induces a thick inside edge through square leg
12.1 -
Jordan to Vijay, FOUR, he's picked his spot there, over mid-off. Looked like he decided beforehand that the ball needs to go there no matter what the length. Clears his front leg to a good length delivery and lifts it through the line. Such a true surface
Chris Jordan [1.0-0-13-0] is back into the attack
11.6 -
Watson to Vijay, 1 run, weee, look at from where he has picked that up. Length ball well wide of off, Vijay moves across and wrists it down to long-on. No idea how he managed that, but nevertheless, gets to his fifty. Now to carry on!
11.5 -
Watson to Stoinis, 1 run, punches this half-volley down to long-on
11.4 -
Watson to Vijay, 1 run, tailing yorker on off which is jammed back to Watson who makes an unforced error and fumbles to allow a single
11.3 -
Watson to Vijay, no run, Vijay can't afford to throw his wicket here. His team can't afford for him to do that. Tries to whip a ramp over the keeper's head with a lot of wristwork. Fails to connect altogether. There was sufficient height on the ball to be attemptng it, but just the simple matter of laying bat on it which wasn't executed
11.2 -
Watson to Stoinis, 1 run, length ball on middle, 128ks, clipped through square leg
11.1 -
Watson to Vijay, 1 run, short of length off-cutter which is tucked off the chest through mid-wicket.
Shane Watson [1.0-0-7-1] is back into the attack
Marcus Stoinis, right handed bat, comes to the crease
10.6 -
Chahal to D Miller, out Stumped!! Chahal is on fire here. Another stumping. He cleverly drifts this one well wide of off, and draws Miller forward and across. Miller has to lunge out for it in the end and his back foot is dragged out of the crease. The ball simply skids on, beats the outside edge and presents an easy stumping to Rahul, who makes no mistake this time. Two in two! This changes things. D Miller st Rahul b Chahal 0(1)
Chahal to D Miller, THAT'S OUT!! Stumped!!
David Miller, left handed bat, comes to the crease
10.5 -
Chahal to W Saha, out Run Out!! Saha has missed one after coming down the track, and Rahul fails to collect cleanly (missed out on a stumping chance). But has he made up for it in time? Oh yes he has. But wait a minute. From the side-on replays it's clear that the ball popped out of his gloves and knocked into the grille of the helmet. But as the third umpire points out correctly, the appeal is not for a catch so the run out is STILahore ON. Yes. Saha has to go. In looking for a big hit, he yorked himself. So nearly got away with it, but not to be. Rahul redeems himself. W Saha run out (Rahul) 16(13) [4s-1]
Chahal to W Saha, THAT'S OUT!! Run Out!!
10.4 -
Chahal to W Saha, 2 runs, the fielders in the ring on the off-side are all square or behind square to enable sweeper cover to be straight. Saha powers the cut and runs back for two
10.3 -
Chahal to Vijay, 1 run, softly cuts one to cover-point and hustles to the other end. Easily home even if there was a direct hit
10.2 -
Chahal to W Saha, 1 run, shortish from Chahal and he's been pulled away down to long-on
10.1 -
Chahal to Vijay, 1 run, could have landed in trouble in choosing to sweep a very full ball, lucky to get an underedge down to short fine
Yuzvendra Chahal [2.0-0-12-0] is back into the attack
9.6 -
I Abdulla to W Saha, 2 runs, clips to mid-wicket. The throw back to the non-striker's end is an off-balanced one and it's an easy couple
9.5 -
I Abdulla to W Saha, no run, slower delivery wide of off, Saha leans across with an open stance and drives straight to the fielder
9.4 -
I Abdulla to Vijay, 1 run, fired on leg-stump, Vijay stayed put and stabbed it to long-on
9.3 -
I Abdulla to W Saha, 1 run, good Saha. Give the strike back to him. Skips out and wrists it to long-on
9.2 -
I Abdulla to Vijay, 1 run, gets low enough to render this quicker delivery impotent, cocks his wrists and clips it through mid-wicket
9.1 -
I Abdulla to Vijay, FOUR, that's from the refrigerator of awesomeness. Sees the loop on this one, skips down whilst making room and chips this over extra cover
8.6 -
Aaron to Vijay, 1 run, punches this to mid-on and runs
8.5 -
Aaron to Vijay, SIX, wow. That's as good as it gets. Short ball splayed on top of leg-stump, Vijay rises up, rotates and picks it up with a pull over deep backward square leg. Nothing fancy wrist-roll etc. Pure class
8.4 -
Aaron to Vijay, no run, wanted to flat-bat over Aaron's head. But something else happened. The ball darts away off the pitch, takes the toe-end and drops short of mid-off
8.3 -
Aaron to W Saha, 1 run, slow ball this time, Saha read it right off the turf and rolls wrists on this clip behind square
8.2 -
Aaron to Vijay, 1 run, winds up seeing the angle down leg and tucks it to fine leg
8.1 -
Aaron to Vijay, no run, that's an overdoing of self-service. Backs away to make room, ends up making too much and Aaron makes it worse with a full-wide ball
7.6 -
I Abdulla to Vijay, 1 run, uses his wrists and clips a single to long-on. 8 runs off it but a good over
7.5 -
I Abdulla to W Saha, 1 run, walks into the delivery and presents a straight bat. Push-ironed to long-off, you can say
7.4 -
I Abdulla to Vijay, 1 run, skids on quick allowing a tuck through mid-wicket
7.3 -
I Abdulla to Vijay, 2 runs, takes a step back looking at the bounce and punches it all closed-bat to long-on
7.2 -
I Abdulla to Vijay, 2 runs, flatter this time, on the pads and Vijay times his clip just in time. Round the corner for a double
7.1 -
I Abdulla to W Saha, 1 run, loops it slow, Saha is cramped for drive and skews it off the outside half through cover
Iqbal Abdulla, left-arm orthodox, comes into the attack
6.6 -
Aaron to W Saha, 1 run, extra bounce again. An opened-up Saha takes his bottom hand off to chop it into the pitch and runs a single to third man
6.5 -
Aaron to Vijay, 1 run, tucks a delivery from the pads to deep mid-wicket
6.4 -
Aaron to Vijay, no run, hits the deck with a short ball and Vijay prefers to sway out of the line. Is he the best non-player of the bouncer now?
6.3 -
Aaron to Vijay, no run, the pitch is slow or I am just too fond of his batting. Had enough time to crouch, let the fullish delivery arrive and open-bat it to cover-point
6.2 -
Aaron to W Saha, 1 run, hops with the extra bounce on this length ball and slots it to third man with an open blade
6.1 -
Aaron to W Saha, FOUR, mediocres this with width again, Saha slices the cut and pipes it well wide of third man
Varun Aaron, right-arm fast, comes into the attack
Time-out! A good powerplay this!
5.6 -
Watson to Vijay, FOUR, lovely shot. Stepped aside to make room for this length ball, opened the bat face - serenely again. What else do you use for a Monk? - and punches it behind backward point
5.5 -
Watson to Vijay, no run, and now Vijay has been foxed by a cutter. Is drawn into it with a shuffle, given the width, and sees the ball dart past his outside edge
5.4 -
Watson to W Saha, 1 run, rose on his toes, allows the ball some room to come right in and then dabs it to third man
Wriddhiman Saha, right handed bat, comes to the crease
5.3 -
Watson to Amla, out Caught by Binny!! Save the date. Amla is out to a Watson bouncer. He looked ready for it surprisingly. Was on the back foot, slapped a pull straightaway but didn't roll his wrists. Binny timed his hop at mid-wicket and caught it. Amla c Binny b Watson 21(20) [4s-2]
Watson to Amla, THAT'S OUT!! Caught!!
5.2 -
Watson to Amla, no run, gets the width on this shortish ball, slices the punch serenely but finds backward point
5.1 -
Watson to Amla, 2 runs, length ball whacked across the line to deep mid-wicket
Shane Watson, right-arm fast medium, comes into the attack
4.6 -
Chahal to Amla, 1 run, misses the tuck on this delivery drfiting in, the ball rolls to short cover as Amla decides to take the extra. Chahal runs across, picks it up and fires a direct hit at the bowler's end. Amla just managed to drag his bat in, as the Third Umpire ruled too
Run out check...Amla looks safe.. Not out!
4.5 -
Chahal to Amla, FOUR, slightly short, slightly turning away and Amla opened his punch to loft it between backward point and cover-point
4.4 -
Chahal to Vijay, leg byes, 1 run, kneels down to take toll on this delivery sliding across. Misses and the ball rolls away to allow a leg bye
4.3 -
Chahal to Amla, 1 run, he's mixing it well here. Slows down the pace and Amla mistimes the whip to mid-on
4.2 -
Chahal to Amla, no run, tries to cut a flipper but is beaten by the extra bounce
4.1 -
Chahal to Amla, no run, drifts across full and Amla shuffles across with it, clips and it falls short of mid-on
Yuzvendra Chahal [1.0-0-6-0] is back into the attack
3.6 -
Binny to Vijay, FOUR, someone get hold of those wrists. Fullish delivery outside off, lured Vijay with a shuffle and then it was awesomeness. Brought his bat down and clubbed it through wide mid-on
3.5 -
Binny to Amla, 1 run, nothing much for Binny tonight. Amla takes his front leg out and forces it to mid-off. Straight to him and just a single on sale on this occasion
3.4 -
Binny to Vijay, 1 run, was uneasy in the crease when the ball arrived, held himself and then checked his slap through point
3.4 -
Binny to Vijay, wide, loops over his head. Binny went too short and it's been given as a wide for height
3.3 -
Binny to Amla, 1 run, soft hands, early eyes, late execution and a single to third man
3.2 -
Binny to Vijay, 1 run, not pretty. Uses his feet, gets too close to the pitch and toe-ends the loft over cover-point. Sweeper cover runs in too to catch but it dropped bang in between the two fielders
3.1 -
Binny to Vijay, 2 runs, softener on leg-stump, Vijay half-turns and trims it to deep square leg with a clip
Stuart Binny [1.0-0-5-0] is back into the attack
2.6 -
Jordan to Vijay, 1 run, goes full, keeps it around off and Vijay times his pat back to Jordan
2.5 -
Jordan to Vijay, FOUR, shot! Vijay, you gentle bully boy! Just a tame short of length delivery, pings off the surface quick and Vijay picks it up across the line. Just a swat and it just bounced inside the cow corner fence to rob him off a six. Mohali's big ground, you butcher!
2.4 -
Jordan to Amla, 1 run, shuffled across early, got himself cramped on the cut and used his wrists to place it to third man
2.3 -
Jordan to Vijay, 1 run, touch player, they say. Allows the length ball to come in and belatedly tucks it to deep square leg. All wrists
2.3 -
Jordan to Vijay, wide, splays it down leg, called a wide
2.2 -
Jordan to Vijay, FOUR, that's a bad ball. Short and wide, Vijay doesn't even move. Should have. Manages to loft it off the toe-end and it has enough legs to swoop to the deep cover fences
2.1 -
Jordan to Amla, 1 run, Jordan into the attack and he has Manchester with him. Pings it short, gets it to rise and Amla sways back and gyrates with a pull round the corner
Chris Jordan, right-arm medium, comes into the attack
1.6 -
Chahal to Amla, 1 run, turns away like a poor man's legbreak. Slow, low and Amla whips it to mid-on to keep strike
1.5 -
Chahal to Amla, no run, good bounce on the stumps, Amla waits for it and then stabs it to cover
1.4 -
Chahal to Vijay, leg byes, 1 run, no turn at all. Slides through with the angle, Vijay misses his tuck and the ball frisks the pad for a leg bye
1.3 -
Chahal to Vijay, no run, drifts it across on leg, the fuller length befuddles Vijay who messes up with the clip. Mistimed towards where FSL would have been? No, off the pad
1.2 -
Chahal to Amla, 1 run, goes shorter, gets it to hold and bounce up and Amla uses his wrists to tuck it to mid-on for a single
1.1 -
Chahal to Amla, FOUR, drifts this across, the ball slides on to make it worse and Amla manages to tickle this to the fine leg fence
Yuzvendra Chahal, right-arm leg break, comes into the attack
Okay, spin early. Here's Chahal without a slip
0.6 -
Binny to Amla, 1 run, good shoulders on this back of a length delivery, Amla hops across to get inside the line and tucks it round the corner
0.5 -
Binny to Vijay, 1 run, stays full outside off, Vijay fetches this and whips it to mid-on
0.4 -
Binny to Amla, 1 run, intends to be fuller, gets the swing as a reward immediately. The curl takes it wide and Amla gets the room to lean across and caress this to deep point
0.3 -
Binny to Amla, no run, pounds it short this time, gets it to ricochet high despite the scarcity of pace on that and Amla rises in time to splice the defence back
0.2 -
Binny to Vijay, 1 run, hits a length this time, slightly wide of off and Vijay opens the bat on a defensive drive to point
No slip for him, remember
0.1 -
Binny to Amla, 1 run, can you believe? He starts with a back of a length delivery on off-stump. That's not why he has been given the new ball. Amla rises tall and wrists it into the leg-side
Amla and Vijay are at the crease. Amla is on strike. Binny will open the attack