Friday, April 12, 2013

PWI Win At Last


Cricinfo tells me that win against RR on 11/4/13 came after 11 consecutive losses in IPL (9 last season and 2 this season) for Pune. 11 consecutive losses for one of the strongest teams on paper! A proof in itself?

Before toss, both the teams were almost even with odds in f/o PW being 1.9. After the toss, the odds came down to 1.65 even though RR won the toss and decided to bat first, considered to be a distinct advantage on the given pitch/ground. The ostensible reason could be Watson and Shukla not playing for RR. 

With an important wicket of Kusal Perera off the first ball, the odds came down to 1.5. With  the substantial 2nd wicket partnership, the same went up to 1.95 or so with score at 81/1. After the fall of 2nd wicket, quick wickets fell and Pune remained comfortable favourites with odds hardly going above 1.6 in their favour after fall of 3rd wicket at 85. At the end of RR innings with score at 145, the odds in f/o Pune were a mere 1.55, though as per commentators/experts 140 was a good score on this pitch, and RR having bowled wonderfully to restrict KKR in the last match.

Rahane came on the mic and said that the wicket was going to get slower and slower to make stroke making difficult. Shastri emphasized this point while commentating. And we know what followed. The match was over in 4 overs with PWI 51/0. A great contrast to the batting so far in the tournament by them. 

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