Remember the IPL game where a teenager scored 99, a West Indian powerhouse dragged his team back from the dead, and a South African pacer sealed the deal with a yorker so good it made physics cry?
There are thrillers, and then there's what unfolded on the night of March 30, 2019. The 10th match of that season between the Delhi Capitals and the Kolkata Knight Riders wasn't just another fixture—it felt like a cinematic saga, scripted to perfection, edited with twists, and culminating in a Super Over that required ice in the veins.
Credit: India.com
From Prithvi Shaw's silky 99 to Andre Russell's powerful assault and, finally, Kagiso Rabada's precise Super Over, this game showcased every flavour the IPL promises but rarely delivers in one night.
But let's not rush to the climax just yet. The drama started well before the tie-breaker.
Kolkata's innings began on the back foot. With the dangerous Sunil Narine unavailable, KKR's powerplay fizzled out. The scoreboard showed a dismal 61 for 5 in the ninth over—Russell and Dinesh Karthik, the last recognised hitters, were all they had left.
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Then, the madness began. In the final 10.5 overs, KKR smashed 124 runs. That's more than 11.5 runs per over on average. Russell powered 62 off 28 balls, while Karthik contributed a classy 50 off 36. The turnaround started with Russell swatting Sandip Lamichhane for two sixes in the 12th over and reached its peak in Harshal Patel's 17-run penultimate over, with Russell at his menacing best.
At 185 for 8, KKR had created a mountain after crawling through the first half. They were back in the contest—fired up and dangerous.
What followed was a touch of poetry. Prithvi Shaw wasn't just batting; he was painting. He stroked 12 boundaries and 3 sixes on his way to 99 off 55 balls. Everything looked fluent—pulls, drives, late dabs, and effortless lofts. Delhi cruised to 116 for 2 in 12 overs, keeping the required run rate under control.
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Then came the nervy nudge. Rishabh Pant fell for 11, and Shaw's scoop to short third ended his dream ton at 99, making him the only player to be dismissed on that score in IPL history. The innings began to unravel, shifting from 170 for 3 to 185 for 6. Delhi needed just 15 off 14 but still managed to crawl, fumble, and fall into a tie.
Credit: India Times
How? Credit Kuldeep Yadav. After leaking 33 in his first two overs, the Chinaman returned with figures of 2 for 41, bowling the most crucial 18th and 20th overs. Prasidh Krishna's final over gave away just five. The Capitals needed two from the last ball—but miscommunication and a sharp throw from Robin Uthappa forced the Super Over.
The pressure was sky-high. Delhi entered with Shreyash Iyer and Pant. They managed 10 off Prasidh Krishna—barely enough, it seemed, especially with Russell and Karthik coming in.
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Then, Rabada arrived. First ball: Russell somehow managed a four. Second ball: middle stump gone. A toe-crushing yorker took down Russell. Third ball: dot. Fourth: Karthik attempted a cheeky ramp, but Iyer had a fine leg in place. Final ball: Uthappa needed a four, but Rabada nailed another yorker, and the ball couldn't pierce the infield.
Credit: ESPNcricinfo
Kolkata managed 7 for 1. Delhi, 10 for 1. Match over. Drama sealed.
This was more than a draw; it showcased contrasts. Delhi was 170 for 3 but faltered, while Kolkata thrived at 61 for 5. Prithvi Shaw's 99 was for nought, Russell's 62 was in vain, and Rabada made IPL history with an incredible Super Over—six balls, one boundary, one wicket, and seven runs. That night embodied IPL: chaos, comebacks, heartbreaks, and heroics—all in 40 overs plus six more balls.
