Opening the batting for Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) against Delhi Capitals (DC), Ajinkya Rahane could have been sent back to the pavilion in the first over itself, if not for the Decision Review System (DRS).
After DC set a massive target of 216 to chase down for KKR, Bangladeshi pacer Mustafizur Rahman was tasked with bowling the first over for the Delhi-based outfit. Picking the right line and length against the Indian batter, Rahman almost picked up his wicket on the first ball itself after Rahane was late in getting his bat down.
The ball travelled to the wicketkeeper as everyone on the field heard a sound, prompting the umpire to raise his finger. However, the player appealed the decision, and the third umpire found out that there was no bat involved at all.
Rahane was still not in the clear after his close escape. Rahman almost got his man via an LBW in the second ball as well, after the ball was deemed to have hit his pads, but another DRS confirmed that the ball had in fact taken a thick inside edge, saving the Mumbai batter yet again.
If that was not enough action for both teams in the first three balls, Rahane should have returned to the pavilion in the third ball for a legitimate wicket that was not picked up by either the fielding team or the wicketkeeper.
Rahane edged the third ball while attempting a drive away from the body but neither the bowler nor the wicketkeeper appealed. DC skipper Rishabh Pant failed to hear the faint edge as he gestured and Delhi chose not to take the review.
After the 33-year-old opener survived the initial scare, Rahane handed the reins of the hard-hitting to Venkatesh Iyer, who hit 18 runs off just eight balls before being dismissed by Khaleel Ahmed. He soon followed Venkatesh to the pavilion after his mistimed shot off Khaleel's bowling found the safe hands of Shardul Thakur. Rahane managed to score eight runs in 14 balls before losing his wicket. The veteran Indian batter is likely to be replaced after four disappointing scores on the trot.
