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Fielding errors and no-balls haunt Deccan Chargers as Sehwag's one-man show steals the show
On this day, May 5, 2011, the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad played host to a dramatic tale of redemption for Virender Sehwag. Just weeks prior, he had fallen short of a much-anticipated century in an IPL match against the Kochi Tuskers of Kerala. Here, in Hyderabad, he had another shot at glory, another chance to etch his name in the record books with his maiden T20 century.
Sehwag, a man known for his fearsome batting style and penchant for taking the attack to the bowlers, watched in disbelief as his bowling attack failed to contain the Deccan batsmen. Edges flew past outstretched fingers, and crucial wickets were gifted through no-balls.
The frustration was palpable—a reflection of the months of training and preparation seemingly evaporating with each misfield and overstep. The top order, bar Sehwag himself, crumbled under the pressure, leaving the chase seemingly out of reach.
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Viru on the charge
With the score at a precarious 25/3 after just six overs, the burden of expectation fell squarely on Sehwag's shoulders. Undeterred by the early setbacks, he began his innings cautiously, but the frustration simmered beneath the surface. The switch flicked in the seventh over. A glance at four off Ishant Sharma's bowling signalled the start of a whirlwind innings.
Sehwag, like a volcano finally erupting, unleashed a torrent of boundaries. The young Ishan Malhotra, making his IPL debut, felt the brunt of his fury as 23 runs were plundered off a single over. This was just the beginning. Veteran bowlers like Amit Mishra and Dale Steyn were treated with disdain as Sehwag dispatched them to all corners of the ground.
The frustration of the previous overs transformed into a ruthless display of power-hitting. Dropped catches by Deccan only added fuel to the fire. Sehwag brought up his century with a flourish, and two sixes off the next two balls sealed the fate of the match. His knock of 119 off just 56 deliveries, the first ever T20 century by a Delhi batsman, left the Deccan bowlers and fielders with no answer.
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The numbers
While Sehwag played the role of the lone warrior, it's important to acknowledge the missed opportunities by Deccan. Two reprieves in the previous inning, courtesy of no-balls, proved costly as Duminy capitalised on the second, contributing a crucial 55. However, Sehwag's brilliance overshadowed all else.
This match became a testament to Sehwag's ability to single-handedly change the course of a game. It was a masterclass in power hitting, a display of unwavering determination, and a reminder that even on a frustrating day, a single player can rise above the ordinary and produce the extraordinary. Sehwag's knock entered the annals of IPL history—a night where a batsman single-handedly outshone an entire opposition team.
Sehwag's knock wasn't just about the statistics—the 119 runs, the strike rate of over 212, or the fact that it was the first T20 century for a Delhi batsman. It was about his sheer audacity and his unwavering belief in his own ability to single-handedly rewrite the script of the match. It was a captain leading from the front, refusing to let his team succumb to despair.
