The IPL final in Bangalore had it all; big sixes, scores of 200 plus and a last-over finish.
The superstars of T20 cricket – Chris Gayle, David Warner and Virat Kohli – scored more than 50 each and fans got to enjoy an exhilarating final. Almost everything went on expected lines, except the result.
The Royal Challengers were chasing at the Chinnaswamy Stadium, a scenario they were almost certain to succeed in. Even though it was a daunting target of 209, Bangalore would have backed themselves to reach the total.
And while they did score 200, it was eight runs too short. When the victory margin is so small, it becomes a matter of percentages – one shot over the fence, a misfield here or there.
For me, the difference between the two sides was an Aussie. Not Warner, but Hyderabad all-rounder Ben Cutting.
Sunrisers were placed at 184 for seven going into the final over, bowled by Shane Watson. Ten to 15 runs would have been good for Hyderabad. But Cutting had other ideas. Showing no respect to his compatriot, Cutting thrashed Watson for 24 runs, with three sixes and one boundary.
The first six that he hit off Watson went out of the ground and that gave Cutting the confidence to hit him for two more. That final over gave Hyderabad the perfect boost.
However, Bangalore quickly gained the upper hand. Gayle and Kohli batted for 10 overs and that could mean only one thing – more than 100 on board.
It was getting out of hand for Hyderabad but Cutting once again took up the challenge at a difficult moment.
Kohli was grassed at short third man of his bowling but Cutting didn’t drop his shoulders, bowling a wide off-cutter to Gayle the next ball and getting the Jamaican to slice the ball to third man.
That wicket gave the Sunrisers some breathing space. If Gayle had stayed on for a few more overs, Hyderabad could well have been out of contention. But from the 11th over onwards, Hyderabad started to turn the screw.
Cutting's IPL 9 record
- Matches: 4
- Runs: 65, Ave: 32.50, S/R: 191.17, HS: 39*
- Wickets: 5, Ave: 16.00, Econ: 7.16, BBM: 2-20
The wicket of Kohli a few overs later was a blow from which Bangalore simply couldn’t recover. What makes Hyderabad’s win remarkable is they took on the strongest batting line-up in the IPL without one of their premier new-ball bowlers, Ashish Nehra, and had a barely fit seamer, Mustafizur Rahman, in the playing XI.
Nehra has been a crucial member of T20 sides over the past few seasons (Chennai Super Kings, India and now Hyderabad). He was once again in peak form this IPL but injury ruled him out of the final stages.
Rahman just about recovered from his hamstring injury and his four overs for 37 runs on Sunday were critical because a lesser bowler might have gone for 50 or more.
And finally, the captaincy of Warner must be commended.
He was the Sunrisers’ top-scorer in the final and ended the edition with nine half-centuries from 17 matches. His consistency with the bat was as remarkable as that of Kohli and AB de Villiers and he leaves India much more confident of his batting and leadership abilities.
Australia already have a fine captain in Steven Smith but with Warner showing great maturity, they have another strong leader in the team who can provide sound advice at important junctures.
For Kohli, it was another T20 campaign where he couldn’t get his hand on the title despite exceptional batting form.
While India made it to the semi-final of the World T20 riding on his runs, Bangalore too must thank their skipper for helping them reach the IPL title clash.
Kohli will have to make do with personal accolades for now because it’s Warner who can claim to have clinched the title for his team while leading the way with the bat.