Cape Town, April 24 (Inditop) Rajasthan Royals captain Shane Warne had warned of unleashing a ‘wild thing’ in this year’s Indian Premier League. Kamran Khan proved true to the nickname given by his captain as he saw the team through in two tense overs against Kolkata Knight Riders.
Warne’s surprise choice of Kamran, who is still to play first class cricket, for the last over of the innings and then the Super Over raised many eyebrows. But the 18-year-old rookie showed a cool temperament and loads of guile to stop the Knight Riders from scoring six runs off the last over despite an in-form Sourav Ganguly looking good to reach the victory target.
Kamran’s first ball was a wide but he then came back strongly to dismiss Yashpal Singh and Ganguly and then effect a run-out on the last ball to stop Ishant Sharma from taking the winning run.
Warne again picked Kamran over other seasoned bowlers including himself for the Super Over and the left-arm slinger allowed big-hitter Chris Gayle only 15 runs.
The Australian spin magician was thrilled with Kamran’s performance.
“We thought about Yusuf and myself as spin options. But I thought if a couple of deliveries went, then the ball would have got wet because it’s pretty dewy. Kamran gave six runs off the last over and I thought he did well to hold his nerve,” Warne said.
Warne also lauded Pathan for smashing 18 runs from the first four balls of the Super Over to hand Royals the first win of the season.
“Yusuf Pathan was fantastic. To have walked out and clubbed two sixes like that, was well done.”
rounak