Kamal Ghorui
Lucknow Super Giants forced a Super Over against Kolkata Knight Riders after needing 17 runs in the final over and managing to level the scores in a dramatic finish while chasing 156. The last over, bowled by Kartik Tyagi, had everything — two waist-high no-balls, a wicket, and a last-ball six from Mohammed Shami. LSG began the over needing 17 runs. On the first ball, Tyagi bowled a slower off-cutter outside off. Shami swung and missed, but wicketkeeper Tim Seifert fumbled the take, allowing a bye and keeping Himmat Singh on strike. The second ball turned the game. Tyagi bowled a waist-high full toss that struck Himmat Singh’s bat high as he tried to pull. It was called a no-ball. The delivery gave LSG a free hit. On the next ball, Tyagi again bowled a waist-high full toss. Himmat tried to loft it and was caught by Rovman Powell at long-on, but since it was another no-ball, the dismissal did not count. There was confusion over whether Tyagi would be removed from the attack after bowling two beamers. KKR’s dugout, including Abhishek Nayar and Dwayne Bravo, discussed changing the bowler, while captain Ajinkya Rahane also spoke with the team. However, the umpires ruled that only the first beamer was dangerous and the second one was not, so Tyagi was allowed to continue. The free hit was then pulled for four by Himmat Singh to deep backward square leg. Tyagi responded on the next ball by dismissing Himmat. He bowled a length delivery outside off, and Himmat shuffled across and tried to heave it away. He did not get enough power or timing, and Rinku Singh completed the catch at deep backward square leg. Himmat made 19 off 10 balls. The next ball brought another bye after Prince Yadav missed a slower short ball and Seifert again could not collect cleanly. Tyagi then bowled a dot ball to Shami with a short-of-length delivery outside off as the batter missed his slash. That left LSG needing six off the final ball. Tyagi bowled short and wide outside off, but Shami connected with a big shot and sent it for six to take the game into a Super Over. The reactions said it all — Rinku Singh, Dwayne Bravo and Shane Watson were left stunned, while Avesh Khan was seen smiling as LSG completed the fightback.
