A month into the Indian Premier League's third season, and it seems the bowlers are coming into play more than ever with the pitches slowing down considerably.
Deccan Chargers' bowlers came up with a superb show and guided their team to a 13-run victory over Royal Challengers Bangalore in Nagpur on Monday.
Going into the match, champions Deccan needed to win all their remaining matches to progress to the semi-finals, and their desperation was evident against Bangalore.
After being restricted to 151 for six in their 20 overs, they did not lose heart and kept taking wickets at regular intervals to bundle out Bangalore for 138 in 19.4 ovres.
RP Singh (2 for 21), Pragyan Ojha (2 for 22) and Ryan Harris (2 for 34) played a major role with the ball, but it was youngr Harmeet Singh who made the difference.
Assigned to bowl the crucial 19th over, with Robin Uthappa looking as dangerous as ever, Harmeet repaid his captain's trust in style.
Uthappa had slammed Harris for two sixes to smash 21 runs from the previous over, but he came undone against Harmeet. The 22-year-old, who has been using the change of pace quite effectively through the tournament, once again did the trick with his leg cutter.
Uthappa, who made 34 from 20 balls, was through his shot early and bowled, thus ending Bangalore's hopes.
Dale Steyn shuffled across his stumps and tried to sweep a full delivery but missed the ball and was trapped right in front of the stumps.
Gilchrist's gamble of giving the youngster the penultimate over paid off and paved the way for Deccan's victory, which saw them jump to fifth in the standings.
Photographs: IPL/Getty Images
