Shane Warne's Rajasthan Royals were the champions of the first edition of the IPL in 2008. However last night all the legend that is Shane Warne could do was see his side's title defence slip, after a dismal batting display in which the Royals reached 101 in their 20 over's, they were forced to find a way to defend the small total. They started off well, with Munaf Patel claiming figures of 2-15, and once the strategic time out came into play at the 10 over mark the Royals were well on top. The spinners were doing the job, with Shane Warne and Johan Botha bowling in tandem, once Shukla ran out his partner things were starting to go the Royals way, with the Knight Riders being reduced to 6-45.
Munaf Patel stiked early
There were many close calls, especially with one LBW call during Warne's spell, during which Warne bowled a flipper which was given not out by the umpire, as he deemed it to be pitching outside leg stump. However, Hawk Eye told otherwise, with the ball pitching in line and going on to take out middle stump. Such calls like this
had to go the Royals way, as it does in any defence of such a low total. A run out opportunity was missed when Shukla at the end of the 18th over during which the royals keeper, Ohja had the perfect opportunity to run out Agarkar however he missed the easiest of chances when they conceded a bye, all Ohja had to do was underarm it and hit the stumps. But this has been the way Rajasthan's season has gone, with some poor batting throughout this tournament, ultimately ending their title defence.
Shukla took the game away from Rajasthan
Defending such a small total all it would take was a good partnership to take a semi-final berth away from the defending champions of the IPL, and sadly for Warne's men Shukla and Agarkar managed to do so. Hats off to them, Shukla did well to handle his nerves, it certainly wasn't the best innings anyone has seen, especially myself, but in the end he did the job, so you have to hand it to him after seeing his side through to victory, after such a poor start from his fellow team mates at the top of the order. Hopefully they can take their form into next year, and let's hope that Warne can perform his magic once again next year.
Let's hope that the legend that is Shane Warne will lead his Royals to victory next year
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