Picture Credit: IPL/Twitter
Cricket is a batter's game. While most of the new rules and regulations of the sport ensure making it easier for batters, the bowlers, especially in limited-overs cricket often see their rights being snatched away. There was a time when bowlers could simply intimate the opposition batters, even that is restricted to a large limit in contemporary times despite the availability of better quality safety equipment.
A similar event happened during the ongoing Indian Premier League match between Chennai Super Kings and Kolkata Knight Riders at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi. While Sam Curran had seemingly dismissed Rahul Tripathi after MS Dhoni took an outstanding one-handed catch behind the stumps, the third-umpire called it a no-ball.
In fact, Dhoni's effort went in vain as the no-ball wasn't a front foot one or even for a waist height but it was the second bouncer of the over. This meant the Tripathi not only survived but tonked the next ball, which was free over extra cover for six. On-air while the entire event happened in Abu Dhabi, commentators summed it by saying "It's a batsman's game."
Check out Dhoni's effort here:
MSD, however, was in action soon after when he grabbed the catch of the other batter Venkatesh Iyer in the first ball of the sixth over which ensured that the Men in Yellow pick 2 wickets in the powerplay overs. This happened after Ambati Rayudu, had already given Chennai a great start by running out Shubman Gill in the first over.
Notably, this is a big game for both teams. While Chennai would want to continue their winning run and even reach the top of the table and more or less ensure qualification, Kolkata would also want to further exert their dominance in the tournament by beating an in-form and well-settled side like Chennai.
This isn't the only IPL 2021 contest on Sunday. Royal Challengers Bangalore and Mumbai Indians are set to play each other later in the evening which will be another cracker-jacker of a contest. Both teams are searching for their first win in the UAE-leg and after end of the play tonight, one team would have finally ended their losing streak.