Set to score 144 by Deccan Chargers in the final of the second edition of the 20-20 tournament, Challengers missed the target by just six runs, with the star-studded team folding up for 137/9 in an exciting match that went down the wire.
Cricket-crazy fans, who were glued to the TV in homes, bars and restaurants to watch the final live were disappointed that their favourite team could not match the skills of its rivals.
Excitement built up when Challengers restricted Chargers to 143, with skipper and local lad Anil Kumble bagging four wickets for 16 runs after winning the toss and electing to field.
“It's unfortunate the Challengers could not win the final even after restricting the Chargers to a low score. I think it's a royal let down by the team that made it to the final after earlier defeating Chennai Super Kings and Delhi Daredevils,” lamented N. Shiv Kumar (26), a techie, who lost a bet with his friends.
In the first edition of the IPL last summer, Chargers were at the bottom of the eight-team league, while Challengers, owned by the city-based business mogul Vijay Mallya's flagship firm UB Ltd, finished seventh.
“Our plans to party all-night have gone awry as we were hoping the Challengers would pull it off in the final overs. Alas! It was not to be. Though regrettable, we are glad that the team had at least made it to the final this time,” a sportive Syed Rizwan told IANS on the phone before signing off for the day.
In the downtown central business district, the bustling Brigade Road and M.G. Road were forlorn, as crowds that had thronged the eating joints and pubs during the match, melted away after the Challengers lost the mind game to the Chargers.
--Indo-Asian News Service
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