da bet7： The Plays of the day for the IPL match between the Kings XI Punjab and the Kolkata Knight Riders
Cricinfo staff03-May-2008
There was no drama when Sourav Ganguly and Greg Chappell met during the toss (file photo) © AFP
Maintaining appearances: Greg Chappell was the man out in themiddle with both captains for the toss. And when Sourav Ganguly’s turncame to have a chat, you’d never have guessed that the two men had beenresponsible for one of the most damaging schisms in the history of Indian sport.Those looking for any drama from the former coach and ex-captain weresorely disappointed.Any time banking: Yuvraj Singh’s dismissal was a huge blow to theKing’s XI Punjab’s hopes of a massive total. But for over a minute, no one couldeven figure out if Wriddhiman Saha had dislodged the bails in time. Thereplay from side-on was inconclusive, thanks largely to the logo of a bankthat kept twirling around the screen even as everyone tried to make out ifthe bail had come out of the groove. Talk about milking every last dollar.Son of Swampy: Sean Marsh was just four when his old man, Geoff[Swampy to his mates], made his highest one-day score. That was down theroad at Chandigarh’s Sector 16 Stadium, in a World Cup match against NewZealand. By the standards of that era, Marsh senior’s knock was a rapidone, and the son showed signs of replicating the feat before a fellowAussie, David Hussey, sent him on his way.Not quite champagne class: With wickets falling in a heap and noboundary for three overs, the crowd was getting restive even in the poshseats above the pavilion. Then, Ishant Sharma misfielded on the rope andthe drumbeats boomed out with renewed vigour. A group of men celebratedwith a spray. Not Dom Perignon, but a soft drink of a dark hue. Othersthat got soaked didn’t look too delighted.A better man?: Having reacted as though he’d been jilted by a loveron being denied an appeal against Debabrata Das, you wondered howSreesanth would react when a subsequent delivery was off-driven for four.With good grace, a word of appreciation and a handclap or two. There was anelement of theatrics when he dismissed him soon after, but it finallylooks like he’s ready to button his lip and let the ball do the talking.Middling it: No matter whether it’s a Test match, a club game in apark or the IPL, there are few finer sights than watching a quick bowlershatter the stumps. When Laxmi Ratan Shukla made room for an expansivedrive, it was VRV Singh’s turn to feel that adrenaline rush, with themiddle stump poleaxed, and the Kolkata Knight Riders down for the count.