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- Dubai 05:11 06:27 12:05 15:13 17:38 18:53
It was the day of the underdog - Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) won the IPL for the first time at the home turf of two-time winners, Chennai Super Kings (CSK).
A heroic knock of 89 by Manvinder Bisla set up the victory, but not without hiccups. Kallis was out at 69 just 8 balls off the end. KKR needed 9 off 6 balls in the last over, but they cruised past the finishing line after Shakib al Hasan and Manoj Tiwary steered Kolkata to safety.
KKR's on-field heroics, however, were overshadowed by off-field antics of KKR owner Shah Rukh Khan, who literally lost it after the win. While the joy of winning the IPL 2012 was understandable, SRK went on to "thank" Dhoni and Chennai for losing to Kolkata before apologising for "misbehaving" and then performing a cartwheel for the Chennai crowd.
His banter seemed in bad taste against a team that won the IPL twice in the past, and even as a level-headed MS Dhoni was seen waving and thanking his supporters despite the loss.
A calm Gautam Gambhir was also seen shaking hands and behaving like a sportsperson. The winning captain expressed himself with words like "Mission Accomplished," unlike what his team's owner was doing elsewhere, calling his daughter and other girls in his family as "the cheergirls of IPL".
Clearly, SRK isn't used to winning on field, and perhaps without a script to read out from, was making a mess of himself.
Earlier, CSK made 189-3 setting a tough target of 190 for KKR to win.
KKR stumbled early when captain Gautam Ghambir was out for just one run on the board. An untested Bisla was sent in. It was a good choice. Man of the match Bisla made 89 off just 48 balls, and it turned out to be a match-winning innings.
CSK seemed to be on a roll earlier last night as they hammered 189-3 in 20 overs against the Kolkata Knight Riders.
An electrified MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai was filled to capacity to support the men in yellow lift the Indian Premier League trophy for the third time.
First it was Murali Vijay and then Suresh Raina and Michael Hussey who led Chennai's attack against the visitors. Vijay (42 off 32), Raina (73 off 38) and Hussey (54 off 43) powered CSK to a daunting total against KKR.
KKR skipper Gautam Gambhir said that it was about completing a mission they had embarked upon when the tournament started 54 days back.
"There is only one word that comes to my mind. Mission accomplished. We had strong belief in our team. We knew when the big day will come the guys would deliver. I want to thank our fans back in Kolkata, who has stood by the team during tough situations. We have done it for them," Gambhir said at the post-match presentation ceremony.
Asked about Manvinder Bisla's blistering knock, the skipper said, "Bisla today showed that what character is all about. I have always maintained that a captain is as good as his team. It's a successful team that makes a successful captain. When I selected Bisla, I knew that we had quality in our dressing room."
Gambhir also didn't forget to mention the contribution of Laxmipathy Balaji who missed out due to injury.
"Bala has been the unsung hero of our team. One can't forget his contribution. When we left for the stadium, I told him that we wanted to do it for him."
Man of the match Bisla said: "I am feeling very happy that I played my part. I replaced Brendon who is a class player. His record speaks for himself. Due to Balaji's injury, we had to leave him out, I am lucky that I got a chance. Till the last ball, it did not feel like we had made it. I don't think I have hit as well, good to play this in the finals to help win it for my team."
Bisla said that there wasn't any specific plan chasing a stiff target.
"There was no plan. We wanted to go out there and enjoy. After Gambhir got out, I felt a tad tensed but after getting one or two to the fence, I got the confidence. Kallis is a legend, batting along side him was a great opportunity, he asked me to keep it simple and get going."
CSK captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni felt that the pitch became better for batting in the second session.
"I thought the ball started coming on slightly better in the second half. Bisla and Kallis got the partnerships KKR needed."
Dhoni didn't feel that 190 wasn't enough.
"Cricket is a game of plus ten and minus ten. It is always like that. Under the conditions, we batted well. It was a bit slower in the first innings. Batsmen did a good job. Not to forget, we could have looked for 200 and ended up with 170. Our bowlers were not getting reverse swing. Then it becomes easy for the fast bowlers to execute the wide yorkers. Still, I am happy with our performance," Dhoni said.
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