From darkness to Knights

Finally, as the lights returned, two unlikely heroes, David Hussey and Laxmi Ratan Shukla, got back on the pitch for Kolkata Knight Riders, needing 22 runs off 20 balls to consign VVS Laxman’s Deccan Chargers to defeat.

In the end, it was the Bollywood Badshah who had the last laugh, but not before some heart-in-the-mouth moments. The tenacious Australian Hussey proved his mettle when it mattered most, smashing a six, a four, and another six to see Knight Riders through to a five-wicket win with six balls to spare. Deccan Chargers had fought hard on a devil of a pitch, thanks largely to heroic bowling efforts from Chaminda Vaas (2/9), RP Singh (1/15) and Pragyan Ojha (2/18), but came up just short.

In stark contrast to the IPL’s tournament opener in Bangalore, here was one low-scoring match on a nightmare of a pitch. Luckily, though, it threw up the most thrilling contest of the tournament as yet.

For a brief while, it appeared that Adam Gilchrist had taken stock of the situation, pummeling Ajit Agarkar for two lusty sixes and a racy four in the sixth over. But he flattered to deceive, holing out in the deep off the Murali Kartik. After Gilchrist’s departure at 47/3, the hosts caught Laxman & Co by the scruff of the neck. As a restrained Andrew Symonds helplessly looked on from the non-striker’s end, wickets kept tumbling at the other end.

Kartik emerged as the best pick, finishing with 3/17, Ishant produced yet another gem, conceding just 9 runs off 3 overs. But the...