Nostalgia Cam: When Mandeep Singh was the Man of the Hour

Rains dampen the mood of a cricket fan like nothing else. The wait is often the most irritating aspect to manage. However, the blessing in disguise takes its shape if the downpour relents opening the prospect for a curtailed affair. The technological advancements over the years have ensured a remarkable reduction in the turn-around time required to pull off a game after the rain-break. Naturally, the thrill which is often inversely proportional to the duration of the cricketing action goes a few notches up.

On 2^nd May 2015, a torrential rainfall drenched the bustling Saturday evening in Bengaluru. With every passing minute, it became increasingly difficult to expect a game at the Chinnaswamy. However, much to the surprise of the fans, the rains relented and the game was reduced to a 10-over affair. 

With a team that had Gayle, Kohli, and ABD in its ranks, RCB would have fancied their chances to pocket this one, despite an onslaught by Andre Russell that helped Kolkata post 111/4 in the stipulated 10 overs.

Just over 11 runs per over. And a batting line-up that could send chills down the spine. It was going to be easy, one would assume.

But the famed batting trio had an off-day. After seven overs, all three were back in the hut and the responsibility fell on the young shoulders of a 23-year-old Mandeep Singh.

Mandeep did not disappoint, stepping up and displaying an array of strokes that delighted the home crowd. His 18-ball 45, laced with 4 boundaries and 3 sixes, took RCB past the line with 2 balls to spare.