MATCH TURNS DEW TO SPIN

Pacers rely on slow bouncers early on but spinners steal the show on a dewless night

- SWAROOP SWAMINATHAN

THE multiple smoke machines around the MA Chidambaram Stadium had just let out smoke for a third time in the Rajasthan innings. At some level, it also seemed poetic. Their innings was seemingly going up in flames. Chasing 176 against Hyderabad to earn the right to play in the Indian Premier League (IPL) final against Kolkata on Sunday, they were in a jam. Sanju Samson, who had got off to a sedate start, tried to take on the part-time spin of Abhishek Sharma.

The end result was a sliding catch by Aiden Markram at long on for a 11-ball 10. An acceptable 1/66 off 7.3 overs had become 3/66 in a five-ball stretch thanks to the exploits of two genteel left-arm finger spinners — Shahbaz Ahmed and Abhishek.