During the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2009, Deccan Chargers (DC) made an impressive comeback after a dismal inaugural season, while Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) had a troubled run with several controversies.
When the two teams clashed at Wanderers in Johannesburg, DC was the clear favorite. KKR batted first, struggling initially but managed to post a competitive total of 160, thanks to a late surge by David Hussey.
In response, DC made a strong start but slowed down later. With four overs to go, they needed 48 runs, and Andrew Symonds and Tirumalasetti Suman were batting cautiously. However, both got out, leaving Rohit Sharma to lead the chase.
Kolkata bowled very well in the 18th and 19th over, and DC had to be content with taking singles and twos. With 21 runs required in the last over, Mortaza came to bowl. Rohit hit a four off the first ball, and the second was a no-ball. This incident sparked controversy, and Kolkata lost their cool.
The match was a see-saw battle, but Rohit’s heroics ensured DC’s victory with a six off the last ball. The game symbolized the journeys of both teams that season, with DC going on to win the tournament, while KKR had a disappointing run. Rohit’s match-winning knock of 32 off 13 balls was a testament to the unpredictable nature of T20 cricket.