
RCB were involved in their second Super Over yesterday,and they managed to win this time. The dangerous unit were beaten by the Sunrisers Hyderabad in their first Super Over finish,but they got it right on this occasion.
The drama
RCB stumble,but recover well
For Royal Challengers Bangalore,Chris Gayle and AB de Villiers were not able to start the Super Over in attacking fashion,but de Villiers8217; consecutive sixes towards the end were enough for the home side.
Umesh Yadav got his length right in the first four balls,but got it all wrong in the last two. Comfortable length balls made the job easier for de Villiers,who dispatched them with disdain and set a 16-run target for the winless Delhi Daredevils.
Pathan power not enough for Delhi
After a superb Super Over effort with the bat,RCB emulated the same with the ball and removed David Warner in the very first ball of the over.
Next man in,Irfan Pathan,continued from where he left. First ball and the southpaw played it in the gap on the leg-side. Ravi Rampaul came back strongly to pitch it right up in the popping crease.
Considering the job done,Rampaul bowled a length delivery,which Pathan scooped over fine-leg for a huge six.
The left-hander couldn8217;t find the boundary on the fifth ball and the team needed 5 from the last. Rampaul didn8217;t do anything silly on this occasion and was right on target to castle Ben Rohrer.
What makes the Super Over a difficult proposition
For a cricketer,a Super Over is not the ideal way to decide a contest closely fought through 40 overs. The team which gets the momentum at the right time seals the decider. It is harsh to expect a batsman or bowler get everything right in those six balls. As a batsman can8217;t hit everything out of the park,a bowler can8217;t hit the right lengths on a consistent basis.
Battle of nerves
More than the cricketing skills,it is a test of mental ability,and the team with a lot of composure can seal this. For instance,RCB didn8217;t panic with either singles early on or Pathan8217;s little assault,they held their own and got the basics right when it mattered.
Numbers check
Super Overs in the IPL so far
Rajasthan Royals 18/0 vs Kolkata Knight Riders 15/1 2009
Kings XI Punjab 10/1 vs Chennai Super Kings 9 2010
Sunrisers Hyderabad 20/0 vs Royal Challengers Bangalore 15/0 2013
RCB 15/0 vs Delhi Daredevils11 all out April,2013