Shoaib leads Delhi drubbing
Shoaib Akhtar made a dramatic IPL debut taking four wickets in a blistering new-ball spell to consign the Delhi Daredevils to their fourth straight defeat
Shoaib Akhtar made a dramatic IPL debut taking four wickets in a blistering new-ball spell to consign the Delhi Daredevils to their fourth straight defeat
Shah Rukh and several other black shirts rush onto the field. They all crowd around Shoaib, the wrecker in chief after his spell of 4 for 11. He wasn't even required for his fourth over. That just goes to show what a great team effort this was. Shah Rukh gives him a big hug and his team-mates try to lift him up. They give up eventually! They do a walk of honour around the field and one can understand the elation. Not many would have given them a sure shot chance of defending 133. Eden Gardens went quiet but soon erupted when Shoaib sent back Sehwag and there was no looking back after that. The fielding was sharp and accurate and the number of direct hits, to go with the two run-outs, kept the pressure on Delhi. It all clicked. Kolkata have edged out Delhi in the points table and are now in fourth place. Stay with us for the presentation.
Here's Sehwag: "Our bowlers did well but our batting let us down. Shoaib bowled really well and we didn't plan properly for facing him. Dilshan's dismissal was crucial and we didn't recover after that."
Ganguly: "Shoaib showed a lot of character. It's one of the best wins in my career. I hope the national selectors were watching me (diving and sliding in the field). We've asked Shah Rukh to bat in the nets for us in case we need him!"
Shoaib is the Man of the Match. Shah Rukh gives him a bear hug and Shoaib actually lifts him up. Here's what he said: "I'm just there to enjoy my game. I've got no point to prove to anyone. I've had a stressful few months and I'd like to thank everybody in the dressing room. Shah Rukh has been like a brother giving me a lot of advice. All the guys played really well."
I just love it sometimes when bowlers have their say, especially in this format of the game. Shoaib was back at a venue where he has tasted success before and it was only fitting that he was named Man of the Match. I loved bringing this game to you. On behalf of Raymond and Raghav, this is Kanishkaa signing off for the night. Cheers!
VY Mahesh b Shukla 3 (6b 0x4 0x6) SR: 50
PJ Sangwan c Hussey b Shukla 0 (1b 0x4 0x6) SR: 0
A Mishra c Sharma b Shukla 31 (32b 3x4 0x6) SR: 96.87
Shah Rukh Khan signals to the crowd to keep cheering
30 to get off 18 balls. Shukla comes in to the attack
With Kolkata defending a low total, Shoaib removed Virender Sehwag off the second ball of the innings, dismissed Gautam Gambhir in his next over and then took two more off successive balls in his third
Shoaib Akhtar made a dramatic IPL debut taking four wickets in a blistering new-ball spell to consign the Delhi Daredevils to their fourth straight defeat