Royal Challengers Pacer Umesh Yadav turned the IPL clash against Kings XI Pinjab on its head with a dream over in which he ended up with three wickets.
Batting first, Kings XI Punjab openers KL Rahul and Mayank Agarwal gave the visitors the perfect start at Bengaluru as they raced away to 32-0 within three overs.
Yadav himself had an expensive opening over where he went for nine runs. But what would happen in his next over might well be the pivotal moment of the match.
With the very first delivery, Yadav had Agarwal caught behind excellently by a diving Quinton de Kock to give Royal Challengers their breakthrough. Up next for the visitors was Australia’s Aaron Finch, a man who has been enjoying a purple patch with the bat for some time now.
Wow, I am trying to remember the last time I saw Umesh Yadav on fire like this. This is serious fast bowling.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) April 13, 2018
The Aussie was greeted with a first-ball dismissal in his very first match of IPL 2018 after Yadav wrapped him on the pads. Finch’s hopeful review of the decision would prove futile as the replays confirmed what was apparent to the naked guy.
With two in two, Yadav had Yuvraj Singh to contend with for the hat-trick ball but the veteran batsman was untroubled as he hit a crisp drive towards cover. After another dot-ball followed, the Indian pacer had Yuvraj in trouble with his fifth delivery. The Kings XI batsman’s attempted pull just sailed over the fielder at the boundary for a four.
W W . . 4 W
Umesh Yadav is cleaning up the #KXIP batting line-up! Mayank, Finch and Yuvi are back in the hut! #RCBvKXIP
— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) April 13, 2018
Yadav however, would have the last laugh as he sent in a ripper of a fuller-delivery that was too quick for Yuvraj’s defence as it shattered the middle-stump.
From 32-0, Yadav over had left Kings XI reeling at 36-3 by the time he was done as Royal Challengers came roaring back into the clash.