It was a top-of-the-table clash as Chennai Super Kings took on the Royal Challengers Bangalore at Wankhede on Sunday. After winning the toss, M.S Dhoni decided to bat first, hoping that the pitch will slow down in the second half of the game. The move raised a few eyebrows as teams batting second have a very good record at the Wankhede.
The move was justified by the CSK openers as both Ruturaj Gaikwad and Faf du Plessis stitched together an opening stand of 74 runs. And with Raina striking some meaty blows, a total in excess of 200 looked well on the cards. However, RCB came storming back into the game with 3 wickets in quick succession. At one stage, it looked as if CSK would set a target of around the 170 mark for RCB.
Ravindra Jadeja though had some other plans. The southpaw from Saurashtra hammered a wonderful 62 of just 28 balls to set a daunting target of 192 for RCB. His innings included 4 fours and 5 sixes. He smashed the purple cap holder-Harshal Patel for a massive 37 runs of the last over, hitting 5 sixes and a four in the process. Patel was the pick of the bowlers before the last over and had taken 3 wickets from his 3 overs till then.
Jadeja equalled the record for most runs scored in an over – Chris Gayle had got 37 against Parameswaran during the 2011 campaign. The record for the highest score in an over remains at 38 which were scored by Scott Styris against James Fuller for Sussex in 2012. Interestingly, Jadeja was dropped at the score of 0 by Dan Christian who put down a dolly of the bowling of Washington Sundar at deep midwicket.
Twitteratti had a field day as they were dazzled by some belligerent hitting from Jadeja. Here are some of the reactions:
Uff! 37! What a tournament Jadeja is having. I think #CSK have enough.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) April 25, 2021
Ball 6 aur run 37. Only Sir Jadeja can do it. Unbelievable hitting against the purple cap holder. #CSKvRCB
— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) April 25, 2021
6,6,6+Nb, 6,2,6,4 by Jadeja in the 20th over against the purple cap holder – 37 runs – the game changer.
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) April 25, 2021
2013: Two to win off one ball, gets caught, CSK still win
Sir Jadeja for a reason ? pic.twitter.com/8dfWyK9RH1
— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) April 25, 2021
2013: Two to win off one ball, gets caught, CSK still win
Wow, that was crazy from Ravindra Jadeja. Nearly 20% of the team score coming in the final over. Whistle Podu @ChennaiIPL #CSKvRCB
— Venkatesh Prasad (@venkateshprasad) April 25, 2021
Sir Ravindra Jadeja after smashing 37 run in a over against Highest Wicket Taker & Purple cap holder in IPL – Harshal Patel!#CSKvRCB pic.twitter.com/zvMrPAeZlQ
— Vishal Verma (@VishalVerma_9) April 25, 2021
The game of cricket and second chances.
Jadeja was 21(19).
Then: 4 1 6 6 6 6 2 6 4
41 RUNS IN NEXT 9 BALLS!
Remember Jadeja was dropped on 0, Sir for a reason!
— Nikhil ? (@CricCrazyNIKS) April 25, 2021
That face you make When Jadeja hits 37 off 6 balls while you need 6 overs to score same runs #IPL2021 #jadeja pic.twitter.com/NkO3L6JQZ3
— Gautam (@Gkumaarrrr) April 25, 2021
RECORD ALERT????
Most runs scored by a batsman off a bowler in an over in IPL:
37 – Ravindra Jadeja off Harshal Patel, 2021*
36 – Gayle off Parameswaran, 2011
32 – Raina off Awana, Mumbai, 2014#CSKvRCB #Master #Ipl2021 pic.twitter.com/SlY9NonQhK— ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? (@Itz_MersalArasu) April 25, 2021
