When MS Dhoni heaved Yash Dayal for a huge 110m six in the first ball of the final over of the all-important RCB vs CSK tie, Dayal’s mind must have wondered to that fateful night in Ahmedabad when Rinku Singh of KKR hammered the then GT bowler for five consecutive sixes to win the match. However, although the difference being merely of a year, this was not the same Yash Dayal of 2023. The RCB pacer only gave away 1 run in the next five balls to pull RCB to the playoffs. Life had come a full circle for him on Saturday, from giving away 30 runs in an over to defending 18 runs by giving away just 7.
Same situation, different outcome
Dayal in his press conference admitted that the GT vs KKR match was going through on his mind when he went for a six in the first ball.
“When I got hit for a six in the first ball, you subconsciously start thinking about that day. Since I’ve been doing well since last season, I was thinking about bowling good balls. I was not looking at the scoreboard and was looking to bowl well. On the ground, you have to put your emotions aside and focus towards execution,” Dayal said.
Credit to RCB
He credited the RCB management for putting their faith in him after last season’s debacle.
“The incident that happened with me the last time (Going for 5 sixes in the final over), I was a bit scared after that. But since I came into the RCB set up, I’ve worked hard and delivered in matches too. All that was going through my mind was to bowl two good balls,” he said.
Dream on
The IPL has seen plenty of turnarounds for sure in all these years. But for a young bowler to make amends within a year of conceding 5 sixes in an over is stuff of dreams. And Yash Dayal would certainly be hoping this dream lasts for as long as possible.
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