New Delhi/Calcutta: The Delhi DareDevils versus Gujarat Lions match at the Kotla was expected to be an exciting one as both the teams were in form. It turned out to be even better than exciting courtesy a nail-biting finish.
The Lions walked away winners, but only by one run. It was heartbreak for the DareDevils. And of course Chris Morris.
The win took the Lions to the top of the points table. They now have 10 points from six matches. The Kolkata Knight Riders are at No.2 having played a game less than the Lions.
South African Morris played a stunningly explosive knock. He remained not out on 82 off just 32 balls, hitting eight sixes and four boundaries. But still didn't manage to push his side over the finishing line.
Chasing a 173-run target, the DareDevils needed 14 runs off the last over. They managed 12, will Morris getting 11 of them. But even that effort was not enough for the home team. Morris, however, did win the Man of the Match award for his stupendous effort.
Quite understandably, Morris was disappointed with the loss, but at the same time he added that they will have to move on from Wednesday's defeat.
Speaking at the post-match media conference, Morris said: "There was pressure... There were not many runs on the board when I came out to bat. (Mentor) Rahul Dravid advised me to watch out for a few deliveries and then go for hitting.
"But I went for hitting straightaway as we needed to do that. I played my natural game. We were unlucky not to get the victory. But the sun will shine and tomorrow will be a new day."
All-rounder Morris didn't only shine with the bat, he did his job with the ball too - picking up two wickets. But he summed it up saying he was "lucky".
"I'm very happy with my performance, but also a little upset that we couldn't get there. I was quite lucky tonight. It was one of those nights where yorkers came out well and the runs came off the middle of the bat. I have practised my batting a lot in these last few months," Morris said.
"It hurts not to be on the winning side, especially in tight games like this... Such defeats hurt. But someone has to lose. It was definitely the best T20 game for me as a cricketer. There are a few that stand out, but this will be up there with the best ones I have been involved in," Morris added.
Victorious captain Suresh Raina admitted that when Morris was in full flow, he thought his team would lose the match. "Morris batted well. When he was batting, around the 15th over, I thought we would lose the match."
Raina gave credit to his bowlers for pulling off the stunning victory. "Credit to PK (Praveen Kumar), he bowled very well. He bowled the 19th over well and then (Dwayne) Bravo's last over was magical. PK bowled well with the new ball too, he is our main weapon," Raina said.
"You have to back yourself when you play in Delhi, a lot of sixes were hit. But one dot ball might win you the game. PK has been consistent with his yorkers. We have worked really well as a bowling unit. Credit to Heath Streak, our bowling coach, too. He has been giving a lot of tips," Raina added.
DareDevils captain Zaheer Khan, however, chose to count the positives. "A lot of positives for us. Our spinners and Morris got us back in the game. JP (Duminy) batted well too. It was anybody's game. We thought Morris would finish it.
"I am very happy with the performance, especially the way guys batted. We created opportunities. Certain things didn't go our way. There's still a long way to go in the tournament for us," Zaheer said.
Lions' Praveen revealed that with the dew factor in play, the spinners were finding it difficult.
"The dew factor was there. The spinners were not getting enough turn. So we thought about depending on the fast bowlers. The plan was to bowl as many dot balls as possible... Nothing else. I thought of bowling good yorkers also."
