Dadagiri In Delhi
By Gaurang
April 22 2012
Ganguly led underdogs Pune Warriors to a win over the league leaders, Delhi Daredevils, in a thrilling game witnessed by a record crowd at the Feroz Shah Kotla
This was the Pune Warrior's fourth win this season in the IPL, more than they won in the entire tournament last time, and it is only about a third of the way through. But until today, Ganguly's contribution was mostly as captain and leader, and not as performer, though to be fair, he did lay the foundations in a couple of wins with his steady batting at three in the batting order.
But today, he turned the clock back by it seemed a dozen years, when he first helped Jesse Ryder, who has looked a completely different player under Ganguly, consolidate and then lay a strong platform after the early fall of Robin Uthappa, for a final flourish by Steve Smith who smashed 34 off 13 balls.
Then he marshalled his resources well in the field, from picking Alfonso Thomas to start, getting the dangerous Jaywardene to miscue one gently into the cover, to his gutsy, some would say foolishly risky, decision to bring himself on to bowl when his gamble of having Jesse Ryder bowl turned into a disaster as the pudgy Kiwi was pummelled for 18 off one over by the aggressive pair of Kevin Pietersen and Virender Sehwag.
The first ball he bowled turned the match, as he castled Pietersen with a gentle in dipper that straightened a fraction and kept low. The celebration after that stunning blow, was vintage Ganguly. He ran it seemed a mile with a huge grin on his face with his fist in the air, and his heart on his sleeve.
Next he induced Irfan Pathan to take a big swipe, but only managing to sky it to Jesse Ryder, who never looked like dropping it, even when he was nearly blinded for a second by a teammate who ran in front of him. When Murali Kartik had Virender Sehwag caught and bowled, it was all over, except for the shouting for Delhi. Clearly Pune fans, neturals, and even some Delhi diehards had to grudgingly acknowledge it was Dadagiri in Delhi.
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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2012:05:01:21:19:03 by Birbal.
the mind is as alert and the passion like the younger days....
It was a joy to see him huff and puff and scamper, but compeye and not wanting to give up.... and get 41 runs against the 145kph pace of Morkel and Yadav...purely on desire, adrenalin and the memory of old days even when his body and reflexes aren't there.
and then in the field his victory charge on clean bowling Pietersen....and the famous dada brand captaincy.....emotions on the sleeve, clapping and waving, swearing.....and leading victory against a decidedly superior side on paper.
It is a joy watching Ganguly.....
just like it was a joy watching passionate Warne's captaincy in IPL-1 and 2
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2012:04:21:19:08:59 by shilpa.
their defeats have been very narrow and wins quite good over much higher rated sides on paper
41 runs, 2 wickets, 1 catch and smart captaincy. man of match
dropping samules and bringing in thomas is smart move. ac thomas is the best T20 seamer. never saw anyone dominating him
Liked one of the commentators comment.. Dada's hair was like his own personal cape as he ran like a 18 year old taking his first wicket when he bowled KP....
Starred as captain, batsman, bowler. Doesn't get any better. Against a team like Delhi, at that.
because he went out early...and with the recent debacles.....his aura has grown brighter