They make these players only in Mumbai, don’t they?. Outrageous, audacious, cocksure. The temerity of youth. Not even an iota of respect for the opposition. Sarfaraz Khan, you beauty.
The outcome of this match will fade into oblivion and for good reasons. IPL matches are anyway dime a dozen and this one didn’t even have a result. It was nicely set up too; Royal Challengers Bangalore had done well to get to 200, especially without significant contributions from either Kohli or Gayle.
But Rajasthan Royals would have fancied their chances – they’ve chased down big scores in the past and the Chinnaswamy has a reputation for high-scoring games. Unfortunately it was not to be, as rain spoilt what would have been a very interesting chase.
Well he was just seventeen
James Faulkner is 25, has played more than 40 ODIs for Australia and is one of the key members of the Australian ODI side.
Sarfaraz Khan didn’t care much though. Off the fourth ball he faced off Faulkner, he played an uppercut for four. The next ball, Sarfaraz did something even more audacious, he switched his stance and played a reverse sweep type of shot off the back of his bat. He only got a single but the intentions were quite clear.
Then, it was the turn of Watson, Rajasthan’s captain. First ball to Sarfaraz was slashed at ferociously, eluding third man for a boundary. But the second ball was where Sarfaraz showed that he might be 17 but he is a product of the Bombay school of cocksureness. Watson, predictably angered at being hit for a four by a 17-year-old, pitched it short. Sarfaraz was right on the money, gently putting ball to bat and upper-cutting it over the wicket-keeper’s head for another boundary.
You know what I mean
The piece de resistance though came a few overs later: a McCullum-esque scoop off Dhawal Kulkarnai, again over the keeper’s head for a boundary. It wasn’t a length delivery – it was a low full toss zoning in on leg stump. But, Sarfaraz was equal to the task, making the necessary adjustment to ensure he just got enough on it to scoop towards the boundary.
Criticize the IPL all you want, but let’s give credit where it’s due: where else would you get to witness a baby-faced teenager whack some of Australia’s best bowlers all over the park?
Way beyond compare
What a turnaround for the boys from Bangalore.
Just a few days ago, they had plunged to rock bottom. Things seemed dreary around Chinnaswamy.
But they’ve bounced back empathically. This match might have been washed out, but the extra point allows RCB to leapfrog over Kolkata Knight Riders to 3rd. More importantly, things are looking up after a horror start. De Villiers looked good in his foray at the crease before being stupidly run out for 56. An ABD special doesn’t seem to be too far away.
What is heartening though is the nature in which RCB’s much-maligned middle order fought back. By sending in their top three right at the start, Bangalore were risking the innings imploding if any of them fell cheaply. At 19/2 with both Kohli and Gayle back in the pavilion, a RCB collapse seemed imminent.
That didn’t prove to be the case. Both Mandeep Sharma and Dinesh Karthik played responsible innings, playing around De Villiers to ensure the team didn’t lose momentum. Then Sarfaraz stepped up to play his gem. These are good omens for this RCB team. They seem on the verge of hitting a peak right at a critical juncture of this tournament.
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The outcome of this match will fade into oblivion and for good reasons. IPL matches are anyway dime a dozen and this one didn’t even have a result. It was nicely set up too; Royal Challengers Bangalore had done well to get to 200, especially without significant contributions from either Kohli or Gayle.
But Rajasthan Royals would have fancied their chances – they’ve chased down big scores in the past and the Chinnaswamy has a reputation for high-scoring games. Unfortunately it was not to be, as rain spoilt what would have been a very interesting chase.
Well he was just seventeen
James Faulkner is 25, has played more than 40 ODIs for Australia and is one of the key members of the Australian ODI side.
Sarfaraz Khan didn’t care much though. Off the fourth ball he faced off Faulkner, he played an uppercut for four. The next ball, Sarfaraz did something even more audacious, he switched his stance and played a reverse sweep type of shot off the back of his bat. He only got a single but the intentions were quite clear.
Then, it was the turn of Watson, Rajasthan’s captain. First ball to Sarfaraz was slashed at ferociously, eluding third man for a boundary. But the second ball was where Sarfaraz showed that he might be 17 but he is a product of the Bombay school of cocksureness. Watson, predictably angered at being hit for a four by a 17-year-old, pitched it short. Sarfaraz was right on the money, gently putting ball to bat and upper-cutting it over the wicket-keeper’s head for another boundary.
You know what I mean
The piece de resistance though came a few overs later: a McCullum-esque scoop off Dhawal Kulkarnai, again over the keeper’s head for a boundary. It wasn’t a length delivery – it was a low full toss zoning in on leg stump. But, Sarfaraz was equal to the task, making the necessary adjustment to ensure he just got enough on it to scoop towards the boundary.
Criticize the IPL all you want, but let’s give credit where it’s due: where else would you get to witness a baby-faced teenager whack some of Australia’s best bowlers all over the park?
Way beyond compare
What a turnaround for the boys from Bangalore.
Just a few days ago, they had plunged to rock bottom. Things seemed dreary around Chinnaswamy.
But they’ve bounced back empathically. This match might have been washed out, but the extra point allows RCB to leapfrog over Kolkata Knight Riders to 3rd. More importantly, things are looking up after a horror start. De Villiers looked good in his foray at the crease before being stupidly run out for 56. An ABD special doesn’t seem to be too far away.
What is heartening though is the nature in which RCB’s much-maligned middle order fought back. By sending in their top three right at the start, Bangalore were risking the innings imploding if any of them fell cheaply. At 19/2 with both Kohli and Gayle back in the pavilion, a RCB collapse seemed imminent.
That didn’t prove to be the case. Both Mandeep Sharma and Dinesh Karthik played responsible innings, playing around De Villiers to ensure the team didn’t lose momentum. Then Sarfaraz stepped up to play his gem. These are good omens for this RCB team. They seem on the verge of hitting a peak right at a critical juncture of this tournament.
