Ahmedabad: In one of the most dramatic turnarounds in the history of IPL, Rajasthan Royals today came from nowhere to register an improbable 10-run victory against Kolkata Knight Riders in an encounter which saw fortunes fluctuating from one team to the other till the very end.
Chasing a victory target of 171, KKR were sailing along at 121 for no loss with Gautam Gambhir (54) and Robin Uthappa (65) cruising along before losing an incredible six wickets for addition of two runs in a space of nine deliveries (eight legal ones).
Shane Watson (3/21) and Pravin Tambe (3/26), including a hat-trick, scripted a remarkable collapse which the jam-packed Motera will remember for a long time to come.
The Shah Rukh Khan co-owned outfit never recovered from that telling blow as they were restricted to 160 for six in the stipulated 20 overs, losing their fifth game in the tournament. With a defeat like this, it will be very difficult for KKR to make a comeback. Rajasthan with 10 points from seven games stay firmly in contention for a semi-final berth.
It was a complete harakiri by the KKR batsmen as they snatched defeat from the jaws of victory with some mindless batting.
Watson scripted the turnaround at the start of the 15th over. Gambhir tried to loft him over extra cover but only got a thickish edge which was pouched by Sanju Samson.
With the third ball of the over, Uthappa who was in belligerent mood flicked one straight down Rajat Bhatia's throat. After a gap of another delivery Watson bowled a perfect leg-cutter to send Andre Russell (0)'s middle-stump cartwheeling.
Suddenly from 121 for no loss, KKR slumped to 122 for three but the drama was far from over.
The 43-year-old Tambe then pulled the rabbit out of the hat as he first bowled a wide googly which fooled Manish Pandey (0), who was stumped wide down leg-side.
Yusuf Pathan (0), who has forgotten when he last played a good knock, gave a simple return catch to Tambe. The wily old fox completed his hat-trick when his flipper found Ryan ten Doeschate (0) plumb in-front as KKR were now down in the dumps at 123 for six. It was as good as over for them at that point.
Watson kept his cool as he bowled a brilliant final over when 17 runs were required giving away only six runs.
