Sport | Cricket
Warne clinches thriller for Rajasthan Royals
Shane Warne scripted a thrilling win for Rajasthan Royals with a massive six off the penultimate ball, as Deccan Chargers were defeated by three wickets in the IPL match onThursday.
- IANS
- Published: 22:28 April 24, 2008
- Image Credit:
Hyderabad: Captain Shane Warne scripted a thrilling win for Rajasthan Royals with a massive six off the penultimate ball, as Deccan Chargers were defeated by three wickets in an Indian Premier League (IPL) Twenty20 match here Thursday night.
Chasing a target of 215, Royals needed 17 runs in the last over and Warne single-handedly snatched the match away from the home team. The legendry Australian leg-spinner hit his compatriot Andrew Symonds for four, six and six in the last over to seal the match in the favour of the Royals at the Rajiv Gandhi International stadium.
Royals made 217 for the loss of seven in 19.5 overs.
Earlier in the day, Symonds' fiery 117 off 53 balls helped the hosts score 214/5 but then he negated his brilliant work by bowling the final over of the day, as Warne spanked him all over the ground to steal the show with his 22 off nine deliveries.
It was going to be a tough chase for the Royals, but Graeme Smith (71, 45 balls) and Yusuf Pathan (61, 28 balls) set the base for the other batsmen. Mohammed Kaif also played a crucial role in the middle overs with his 34 off 16 balls to help Warne and Co. register their second win in the league.
During the home team's innings, Symonds broke all the shackles with the fastest century of the tournament and proved that he is worthy of his top billing.
He got a life on 76 when he was dropped by Pathan, but it was a flawless innings from the burly all-rounder.
While Symonds fired, other big names in the team like Adam Gilchrist, Shahid Afridi and V.V.S. Laxman continued their poor form. Warne strangled the Royals' batsmen with his clever bowling and also picked up two wickets but as Symonds came out to bat he ran out of strategies.
A similar script unfolded, when Warne came out to bat and his big hits made Symonds look like a lost soul.
Chargers desperately needed a win but with the loss they are again in troubled waters.
Share this article
More from Cricket
More from Sport
Popular in Sport
-
Sport
A round with Pacquiao
In the ring with Manny Pacquiao to see what makes this boxer tick
Sport Editor's choice
-
'We'll play like world champions'
Afridi confident Pakistan can win against New Zealand in Twenty20 matches
-
Underdog Cotto exudes confidence
Puerto Rican ready for speedy Pacquiao in Saturday's welterweight bout
-
Excitement building ahead of qualifier
There is nothing bigger than this, team's captain Nelsen says ahead of Saturday's sellout playoff against Bahrain
