Watch: Karn Sharma smashed Mitchell Starc for three sixes in the final over of RCB’s run-chase against KKR at the Eden Gardens today (April 21) to bring the visitors right back in the game.
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RCB were chasing 223 for what would have been the third-highest run-chase in IPL history. They were going well through the middle overs courtesy of fifties by Rajat Patidar and Will Jacks. Dinesh Karthik kept the game alive at the death, until his wicket off the last ball of the 19th over all but sealed the game in KKR’s favour.
RCB needed 21 off the last over, with No.9 batter Karn Sharma and No.10 batter Mohammed Siraj at the crease. Mitchell Starc started with a wide yorker, which Karn extraordinarily sliced over backward point for a six.
The next ball was similar, but this time Karn got a thin edge to the wicketkeeper. Luckily for him, replays showed the ball bounce just short of wicketkeeper Phil Salt’s gloves.
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Starc missed the yorker next ball and dished out a half-volley outside off, which Karn duly smashed over extra cover for the second six of the over to bring the equation down to nine off three balls.
The next ball was almost an action replay of the first ball of the over, a near-yorker sliced over backward point for another six. Suddenly, RCB just needed three off the last two balls and the game was now theirs to lose.
Unfortunately for them, Karn hit the next ball straight back to Starc. No.11 Lockie Ferguson hit out, but was run out attempting a second run off the last ball. KKR eventually won the game by one run. Starc finished with figures of 55-1 from three overs.
