Kochi Tuskers Kerala 98 for 2 (Hodge 33*) beat Rajasthan Royals 97 (Menaria 31, Hodge 4-13, Sreesanth 2-16) by eight wickets.
The huge eight-wicket victory by Kochi Tuskers Kerala in their penultimate match at the Holkar Stadium meant Rajastan Royals have now lost all hopes of reaching the playoff stage. They have now joined the 'losers' list of Delhi Daredevils, Pune Warriors, Deccan Chargers and the Tuskers.
Tuskers produced a clinical performance but their outstanding show was too late to save them from staying in the hunt for playoffs. Brad Hodge, known more for his batting prowess, produced one of the most impressive bowling performances of this edition to bag four wickets as Rajasthan Royals were bundled out for mere 97.
Thanks to Hodge's remarkable spell of 4-13, Kochi looked a completely different side compared to Friday when they lost a high-scoring encounter against Kings XI Punjab by a margin of six wickets at the same venue.
A couple of days back the same bowling attack, barring the exception of RP Singh, was thrashed mercilessly by the Dinesh Karthik and Company. But on Sunday, they were spot on from the word go.
Brendon McCullum came out obsessed with improving his team's net run-rate, charging at Shaun Tait first ball. Tait didn't do himself any favours, bowling two no-balls in the first over. One of them - when he cut the side crease - had bowled McCullum. After hitting Tait for a four and six in the first over, McCullum proceeded to treat Oram as a club bowler, nonchalantly flicking him for three straight sixes. When MCullum fell for a 12-ball 29, it was important for Kochi to keep scoring fast. Hodge and Parthiv Patel didn't disappoint, ending the chase in 7.2 overs. It was the second-biggest win in terms of balls remaining in IPLs and the fourth-biggest in all Twenty20 matches. Hodge made the day memorable for himself when he excelled with the willow too as Tuskers romped home in just 7.2 overs. He hammered an unbeaten 33 off just 17 balls and in the company of Parthiv Patel (21 not out) and knocked out the required runs with utmost ease.
Earlier, taking a cue from Adam Gilchrist, who had put the Tuskers in after winning the toss on Friday, Mahela Jayawardene decided to bowl first.
Kochi stay mathematically alive with a thumping win
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| Kochi Tuskers Kerala beat Rajasthan Royals by 8 wickets : Hodge 4-13 |
Tuskers produced a clinical performance but their outstanding show was too late to save them from staying in the hunt for playoffs. Brad Hodge, known more for his batting prowess, produced one of the most impressive bowling performances of this edition to bag four wickets as Rajasthan Royals were bundled out for mere 97.
Thanks to Hodge's remarkable spell of 4-13, Kochi looked a completely different side compared to Friday when they lost a high-scoring encounter against Kings XI Punjab by a margin of six wickets at the same venue.
A couple of days back the same bowling attack, barring the exception of RP Singh, was thrashed mercilessly by the Dinesh Karthik and Company. But on Sunday, they were spot on from the word go.
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| Brendon McCullum |
Earlier, taking a cue from Adam Gilchrist, who had put the Tuskers in after winning the toss on Friday, Mahela Jayawardene decided to bowl first.
Kochi stay mathematically alive with a thumping win
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