Royal Challengers Survive A Dhoni Assault To Win By A Whisker

Super Kings skipper almost pulls it off with an incredible knock; Parthiv proves the game-changer, runs out Shardul off the final delivery

- Shreedutta Chidananda

For a moment, it seemed as if M.S. Dhoni had clubbed Royal Challengers Bangalore to another impossible defeat. With 26 needed offa breathless final over, Dhoni had sent Umesh Yadav soaring over the ropes three times, leaving his side two to score off the final ball.

It was the same old story again, it felt: Dhoni and Chennai Super Kings ambushing aside at the death. Except Umesh had other ideas.

Slower ball

A slower ball beat Dhoni and as the batsmen tried to steal a bye, wicketkeeper Parthiv Patel hit the stumps with a direct hit. RCB sneaked home by one run, recording a precious third win in Vivo IPL-12.

Chasing 162 for victory, CSK needed 70 off the last five overs, a task it very nearly accomplished. Dhoni finished unbeaten on 84 (48b, 5x4, 7x6), with echoes of his knock here last year.

Eyebrows raised

Questions will be asked of his decision to farm the strike in the penultimate over, with Dwayne Bravo for company, but CSK fell short only by the smallest of margins.

Dale Steyn, whose second stint at RCB had begun in emphatic fashion at Eden Gardens, made early inroads yet again. He struck twice in the first over, having Shane Watson edged to slip before bowling Suresh Raina first ball with a delightful yorker.