Maheen Sabeeh
It was a do or die match for Kolkata Knight Riders. The favourites of the Indian Premier League series (thanks to Shahrukh Khan’s aggressive marketing and star power), Kolkata Knight Riders needed to win this game to have a shot at the semi-finals.
After two successive wins, Kolkata Knight Riders lost four matches.
Sourav Ganguly and guys pulled up their socks and after an inspiring effort, won last two games.
But the game on Tuesday night was the one that was crucial for them to win. However initially, things didn’t go as well as Shahrukh or Sourav would’ve wanted.
Delhi Daredevils bowled first and restricted Sourav Ganguly’s men to 133 runs in 20 overs. For a Tw
enty20 game, 133 runs are just not a good score to defend.
It was the night when Shoaib Akhtar was making his debut entry in IPL and the man has a following that goes way beyond Pakistan.
With a ban (currently suspended) still hanging over his head and incredibly low few months, all eyes were on Shoaib Akhtar. Most importantly, Shoaib, for the sake of his own career, needed to win. Pakistan Cricket Board was surely watching.
Shahrukh Khan needed to win this match or his team would’ve said goodbye to the series. Sourav Ganguly, the son of Kolkata needed Shoaib to come through.
And what a comeback… what a thrashing Shoaib gave to Delhi Daredevils.
Opening the bowling attack for Kolkata Knight Riders with the entire stadium packed to its peak, chanting his name “Shoaib, Shoaib” he never lost his cool.
In his first over, Shoaib took a wicket and blew Virender Sehwag, the man who can hit sixes with just a flick of the bat.
Then there was Gautam Gambhir who looked really dangerous because the guy isn’t one who scares easy, even from someone as powerful as Shoaib Akhar.
But in Shoaib’s second over, he became the second victim. More chants, more cheers from the crowd with Shahrukh Khan dancing in the aisles with fans all around him. It was an important wicket and everybody knew. But the game wasn’t over and neither was Shoaib’s spell.
This was Shoaib Akhtar in his element. Aggressive, impressive and ultimately unmatchable.
His third over came and bang! AB De Villiers fell next and in the same over Manoj Tiwary also fell to a trapping LBW.
And throughout Shahrukh was first in aisles and later right near the field behaving like a true cheerleader, asking the fans to clap on every ball, every run that was saved and they did just that.
It showed just what a following Shoaib has around the world. Every run-up was electric, every bowl fiery and every wicket, a call for celebration.
Delhi Daredevil’s top battling order came crumbling down to 32-4 and those were the wickets that changed the game. Delhi Daredevils came under pressure and suddenly Kolkata Knight Riders were the ruling side, beating one after the other. And yes, they won big time and now have a full-shot at the semi-finals.
When he took his fourth wicket, Shoaib ran around the field in his signature arm-outstretched airplane celebration and there was no looking back.
He clinched the wickets that were needed and made a difference.
When Sourav Ganguly came onto the stage after the match was over and was asked about Shoaib Akhar, he said “He came to the country with lots (of things) happening behind him. But he showed a lot of character.”
Shoaib Akhtar ripped through Delhi Daredevils and not surprisingly he picked up ‘Man of the Match’ award, which was presented to him by Shahrukh Khan, who hugged him and then in a moment of complete festivity and all smiles, hung onto Shoaib who in return picked up King Khan with just one hand while the crowds cheered them on.
Speaking after the match, Shoaib Akhtar commented, “I just wanted to win the game. For me, my team is the most important thing. Kolkata is my home team. Eden Gardens is my home ground. Sharing the dressing room with Shahrukh Khan and Sourav (Ganguly) was fantastic. They backed me. And I am really happy to perform. They put faith in me. And I am happy to deliver.”
And that’s just the thing. SRK and Ganguly put faith in him, not pressure.
This was Shoaib Akhtar’s first match since November 2007 and he delivered like a pro. All he needed was a little bit of faith and IPL, in particular Shahrukh and Sourav Ganguly gave it to him.
When Shoaib does return home, he has a battle ahead of him.
The man is a star and an incredible bowler who can turn things around like magic. He showed off his skill once again. So here’s hoping that his return does not mean an exit… because that will definitely be a loss to all of us!
too good