 Rajasthan Royals plunge Deccan Chargers to third successive defeat
25th Apr 2008 08:00 IST
Agencies
Earlier, Symonds hit the fastest hundred of the tournament through some lusty hitting and weaved 111-run fourth-wicket stand with Rohit Sharma (36).
Symonds hit an unbeaten 117-run knock, studded with seven sixes and 11 boundaries off 53 balls, making full use of a dropped chance at the individual score of 75.
Pathan failed to latch on a catch off Siddharth Trivedi at point giving the Australian a chance to notch up his hundred in just 47 balls.
And he did it in style by lofting the rival skipper Warne for a huge long-on six, during his superb innings, which made the rival bowlers look like ordinary.
Pacer Munaf Patel and spin-great Warne bore the brunt of the Symonds fury as they conceded 55 and 47 runs in their quota of four overs.
Chargers' skipper Laxman came to open the batting with Australian Adam Gilchrist and the duo put on 22 for the first wicket before Pathan's double strike in the third over.
Royals skipper Warne brought in Pathan early in the innings and the bowler responded with two wickets in an eventful over.
Pathan dismissed the dangerous Gilchrist (13) on the second ball of the over as the Australian came forward, got deceived in the air, and was stumped by wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal.
Afridi then joined his skipper and hit a six and a boundary before handing a catch to Jadeja at mid-on while attempting a big shot.
Laxman (16) and Symonds then put on 43 runs for the third-wicket, which not only helped hosts to recover from 32/2 but set the platform for the big score.
Laxman became victim of Warne as he offered a caught and bowled chance while flicking, which the leggie accepted gleefully. |
