‘Would be lying to say we thought of win at half-time’
stint with Justin Langer at Perth, I had seen Coulter-Nile train with Western Australia state team. He is a mean looking guy, strong as an ox.
We didn’t speak a word as I passed on the ball to him. He knew his job and I knew mine. The Aussie bowled like a wind and I supported him with attacking fields.
My being under the helmet was more of a statement than a catching position.
And then there was another sight which would have pleased every supporter of Indian cricket. An Indian fast bowler Umesh Yadav having ‘Boss of Universe’ Chris Gayle ducking and weaving was highlight of the game. Add to all this, our catching was top-drawer.
The journey from woeful to wonderful took Kolkata Knight Riders 9.4 overs.
“Obviously we were little bit down halfway. We knew we were a little bit under par to say the least. But the captain asked us to show some intent and some pride. The opening bowlers set the tone. The fact is that they came out firing, took some early wickets and really got us back in the game. From there on, it was just trying to put the ball in right areas. I think I would be lying to say that we came at the halftime saying that we would definitely win the game,” said Chris Woakes who finished with a spell (2-0-6-3) that included wickets of Chris Gayle, Stuart Binny and Samuel Badree.
Nathan Coulter-Nile’s start to showing ‘intent’ came with a huge no-ball but the free hit gave an indication of things to come. It was fast and climbing which Gayle pulled but couldn’t keep down. The next ball swung and Gayle again couldn’t put bat to it. Then, with two slips in place, Virat Kohli reached for a ball moving away from him.
But even when Mandeep Singh cut Umesh Yadav straight to Manish Pandey, few could foretell what was in store. Though Yadav was bowling fast and getting movement in air, AB de Villiers hit the innings’ first four and, it seemed, RCB were on their way.
Coulter-Nile bowled a boundary ball and De Villiers duly said ‘thank you’ with another four. But then, Coulter-Nile bounced the South African and foxed by the extra pace, his pull climbed into the night sky and into Robin Uthappa’s gloves.
With deliveries aimed at his body, into the blockhole and teasing Gayle and Kedar Jadhav outside the off-stump, Yadav then bowled perhaps his best over of IPL 10. KKR had started believing in miracles and it showed in their body language.
Coulter-Nile got Jadhav with one that looked to have stopped and at 24/4, the Eden too started thinking it wasn’t impossible.
When Woakes got Gayle with another short-pitched delivery that came faster than expected, KKR knew their fifth victory was around the corner. “The fact that we got those three early (Kohli, AB and Gayle) made a big difference for us defending the total,” said Woakes.
GETTING IT DONE At the break, I told them whoever dropped on intent would never play for KKR