Harshal Patel failed ‘Mankad’ Attempt Proves Costly as RCB Loses Last-Ball Thriller
11.04.2023: The Lucknow Super Giants managed to escape with a one-wicket win off the last ball against the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in match number 15 of IPL 2023. Chasing an uphill 213-run task, Marcus Stoinis and Nicholas Pooran played identical blinders, while IPL cult-hero Ayush Badoni provided a supporting hand in the thrilling run-chase.
Interestingly, the Super Giants were cruising towards an easy win at one stage, before Nicholas Pooran’s untimely dismissal allowed the RCB to pile on the pressure against their lower order.
With the equation down to five runs from the final six balls, RCB veteran Harshal Patel delivered a tight last over, claiming two wickets and conceding just four runs off the first five deliveries. He also attempted a non-strikers runout, albeit unsuccessfully, off the last ball. Harshal Patel misses non-striker’s runout at deciding juncture.
Harshal Patel attempted to run Super Giants number 10 Ravi Bishnoi out at the non-striker's end when one run was required off the last ball of the match. However, the speedster faltered in his follow-up and missed the stumps. He eventually dislodged the stumps in his follow-through after the missed attempt, however, it was not counted as bowlers are not allowed to throw after attempting a non-strikers runout.
As it turned out, number 11 Avesh Khan ran a bye off the final legal delivery, this time due to a fielding fumble from wicketkeeper Dinesh Karthik. After much drama on the field, it was KL Rahul’s visiting drawcards that took home the crucial two points. The close defeat marked another blow for RCB after a promising start to their IPL 2023 campaign. Despite steamrolling five-time winners Mumbai Indians by eight wickets in their tournament opener, they have now succumbed to successive defeats, against KKR and LSG respectively.
Faf du Plessis, Virat Kohli, and co. will now go up against the Delhi Capitals on April 15.
