MUMBAI – Ravindra Jadeja smashed a record-equalling 37 runs in an over, including five sixes, and claimed three wickets with the ball as Chennai Super Kings spectacularly ended Royal Challenger Bangalore's unbeaten start to the Indian Premier League on Sunday.
Boosted by Jadeja's antics, Chennai reached 191 for four and then kept Bangalore to 122 for nine to knock Virat Kohli's side off the top of the table.
Delhi Capitals beat Sunrisers Hyderabad in a super over showdown, after both scored 159 from their 20 overs, to also go ahead of Bangalore.
ALSO READ: WATCH: Ravindra Jadeja smashes 37 runs in single IPL over
Bangalore won their first four games of the season but were stunned by Jadeja's final-over blitz, which equalled the IPL record of 37 runs in one over hit by West Indies star Chris Gayle for Bangalore in 2011.
After being dropped before scoring, Jadeja smashed his runs off Harshal Patel, who had earlier been the star of Bangalore's bowling, taking three wickets.
The 32-year-old hit the first two off length balls for sixes that already put the bowler on edge.
ALSO READ: Rajasthan Royals move off bottom of IPL with Kolkata Knight Riders win
Patel's third effort was a no-ball that Jadeja also bludgeoned over the ropes while earning a free hit. The repeat ball also went for six over deep square leg, taking Jadeja past 50.
Big effort in the field today to go past #RCB. This is one victory that @ChennaiIPL will cherish for a long time! https://t.co/9lEz0r9hZo #SRHvDC #VIVOIPL pic.twitter.com/7N3a1y4OmI
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) April 25, 2021
He took two runs off the fourth ball -- when he was nearly caught -- and hit another six off a full toss for the fifth ball, before sending the final ball of the innings for a four which bounced close to the boundary line.
Super over scramble
Jadeja finished on 62 from 28 balls. With his three wickets for 13 in the Bangalore innings and a direct-hit runout of Daniel Christian, he had no competition for man of the match.
Jadeja missed India's recent series against England through injury but has immediately proved his worth.
"I've been working hard on my fitness, skill, everything. Luckily it paid off," said Jadeja.
ALSO READ: Virat Kohli reaches 6,000-run IPL landmark as Bangalore stay undefeated
"One guy completely beat us," commented Kohli. "Today his skill was there for everyone to see."
Kohli added that there would be no fallout for Patel, who has been a key wicket-taker this year. "We will continue to back him," said the captain.
Bangalore openers Devdutt Padikkal and Kohli picked up the challenge, making 44 off the first three overs before Kohli (8) was caught by wicketkeeper M.S. Dhoni off England bowler Sam Curran.
Padikkal made 34 off 15 balls before he went in the next over.
Apart from Glenn Maxwell's 22, Kyle Jamieson's 16 and tailender Mohammed Siraj's 12, no other Bangalore player got into double figures.
ALSO READ: Faf Du Plessis and Jonny Bairstow power Chennai and Hyderabad to crucial IPL wins
Chennai, unbeaten since losing their first game, now lead the eight-team league by a better run rate ahead of Delhi and Bangalore. All three sides have eight points.
Delhi's thrilling win over Hyderabad in Chennai produced the season's first super over playoff.
The first Super Over-thriller of #VIVOIPL goes @DelhiCapitals way! 👌👌@RishabhPant17 & Co. secured their fourth win of the season after edging out #SRH. 👏👏#SRHvDC
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) April 25, 2021
Scorecard 👉 https://t.co/9lEz0r9hZo pic.twitter.com/RdV4ZbH9tJ
Opener Prithvi Shaw made 53 off 39 balls, while captain Rishabh Pant and Australian Steve Smith backed up with innings of 37 and 34 as Delhi made 159 for four.
After Jonny Bairstow hit a quickfire 38 off 18 balls Kane Williamson kept Hyderabad in the hunt with an unbeaten 66 that included eight fours.
ALSO READ: Moeen Ali stars for Chennai in Dhoni's 200th game as captain
Hyderabad had to score 16 off the last over and Jagadeesha Suchith scrambled a leg bye off the final ball to force a super over with 159 for seven.
David Warner and Williamson managed seven off their six balls.
Shikhar Dhawan took a leg bye off the final ball to secure the win for Delhi.
AFP