Decoding the Super Over

What makes the Super Over interesting? Read more about the thrilling decider.

RCB were involved in their second Super Over yesterday,and they managed to win this time. The dangerous unit were beaten by the Sunrisers Hyderabad in their first Super Over finish,but they got it right on this occasion.

The drama

A comfortably going chase turned out to be a thrilling one as the scores remained tied and result was decided through the Super Over. A flurry of wickets towards the end injected belief in the Daredevils’ unit,who did well to delay defeat at the Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore.

RCB stumble,but recover well

For Royal Challengers Bangalore,Chris Gayle and AB de Villiers were not able to start the Super Over in attacking fashion,but de Villiers’ consecutive sixes towards the end were enough for the home side.

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Umesh Yadav got his length right in the first four balls,but got it all wrong in the last two. Comfortable length balls made the job easier for de Villiers,who dispatched them with disdain and set a 16-run target for the winless Delhi Daredevils.

Pathan power not enough for Delhi

After a superb Super Over effort with the bat,RCB emulated the same with the ball and removed David Warner in the very first ball of the over.

Next man in,Irfan Pathan,continued from where he left. First ball and the southpaw played it in the gap on the leg-side. Ravi Rampaul came back strongly to pitch it right up in the popping crease.

Considering the job done,Rampaul bowled a length delivery,which Pathan scooped over fine-leg for a huge six.

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The left-hander couldn’t find the boundary on the fifth ball and the team needed 5 from the last. Rampaul didn’t do anything silly on this occasion and was right on target to castle Ben Rohrer.

What makes the Super Over a difficult proposition

For a cricketer,a Super Over is not the ideal way to decide a contest closely fought through 40 overs. The team which gets the momentum at the right time seals the decider. It is harsh to expect a batsman or bowler get everything right in those six balls. As a batsman can’t hit everything out of the park,a bowler can’t hit the right lengths on a consistent basis.

Battle of nerves

More than the cricketing skills,it is a test of mental ability,and the team with a lot of composure can seal this. For instance,RCB didn’t panic with either singles early on or Pathan’s little assault,they held their own and got the basics right when it mattered.

Numbers check

Super Overs in the IPL so far

Rajasthan Royals (18/0) vs Kolkata Knight Riders (15/1) (2009)

Kings XI Punjab (10/1) vs Chennai Super Kings (9) (2010)

Sunrisers Hyderabad (20/0) vs Royal Challengers Bangalore (15/0) (2013)

RCB (15/0) vs Delhi Daredevils(11 all out) (April,2013)