RC Editor

Two matches and a bunch of Royal Challengers living upto their reputation to register victories for their respective teams. That could sum up the first day of the Super 8 stage of the T20 World Cup. But if there was a “Challengers” instinct revealed on this day, it was Kevin Pietersen’s innings – where he challenged his own limitations to shrug off a bad tenor with the bat and emerged triumphant not only for himself, but also for team England on the day.

As the tournament entered the business end, the best of the teams are fighting it out for the coveted place in the semifinals and eventually to be the World Champions in the shortest format of the game.

RC Editor

Two matches and a bunch of Royal Challengers living upto their reputation to register victories for their respective teams. That could sum up the first day of the Super 8 stage of the T20 World Cup. But if there was a “Challengers” instinct revealed on this day, it was Kevin Pietersen’s innings – where he challenged his own limitations to shrug off a bad tenor with the bat and emerged triumphant not only for himself, but also for team England on the day.

As the tournament entered the business end, the best of the teams are fighting it out for the coveted place in the semifinals and eventually to be the World Champions in the shortest format of the game.

Pietersen the big Challenger…

Team RC had their share of glory when Kevin Pietersen picked form for England in a crucial match to oust Pakistan though Ross Taylor of New Zealand failed to muster the muscles required to do the encore against South Africa.

Pietersen was in his elements to hammer 73 off 52 balls on a wicket that was juicy enough to pack the willow on a white-leather hunt. When this lanky Challengers is on song, it’s a treat to watch. Very few in world cricket can match the charisma and the glamour Pietersen carry when he bats with strokes galore. Pakistan was sadly on the receiving end yesterday at his exquisite ground strokes elegant lofted ones. If that wasn’t enough to prove his supremacy in the field, then figure this out – he brought out a blinder in the deep to shunt out Umer Akmal’s enterprising innings in the middle.

…while others chip in

Eoin Morgan, the other big ticket Challenger in England’s rank failed to connect well with the bat. However, other Challengers in the field, Jacques Kallis and Dale Steyn shone in their respective departments for South Africa to register a facile victory over New Zealand. Kallis made heavy use of the long handle to provide a solid platform for Albie Morkel and AB de Villiers to launch an all out attack during the death overs. He then kept his word as world’s leading all rounder by bowling tight to give away a miserly 23 runs off his 4 overs. Steyn, on the other hand, used his express speed to good effect and kept one end cool to return with figures of 25 off 4 overs – quiet a mean figure in T20.

Man of the Match Morkel wielded the willow along with de Villiers to take the Proteas to 170 which was quiet a heavy total for the Black Caps. Even Boom Boom Ross Taylor couldn’t save the day for his country. He showed glimpses of his form during his short stay of 16 deliveries, but the pressure of scoring almost 15 every over proved too much for him, eventually.

A frank admission – I expected a lot from a potential Steyn – Taylor duel. But that wasn’t there to cherish. I satisfied myself with KP’s innings all the while. In the meantime, I wait with baited breath when India faces Australia a few hours from now.