Duke Jeyaraj on the last over between Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Kings XI Punjab in Dharamshala, 18 April 2010, easily the most exciting game in IPL-111, and perhaps one of the most iconic final overs ever in IPL History as one hits the rewind button on 12 years of IPL (as on April 2020).
They were just an over away from possible elimination – despite having quality players to flaunt,
16 runs in the last over – that’s what Chennai Super Kings needed stay in the hunt,
Irfan Pathan ran into bowl with determination, Dhoni’s efforts to get those runs, to blunt,
The onlookers couldn’t move – be it a person young or old, or be it an uncle or an aunt,
After Dhoni crashed the first ball for four – 12 required off 5 balls was the new count,
When the next ball he miscued for a brace, Chennai’s semi-final chances none could totally discount,
The next two balls Dhoni smacked over the fence – Irfan Pathan’s ego to bruise and affront!
The super cool Skipper then celebrated with a rare, never-seen-before upper cut stunt!
It was as if he knew that Chennai would go on to win the IPL 3, up-front!
“Dhoni scores 28 out of 29 runs required in the last 2 overs” – that’s what the papers reported in big font!
What Dhoni did atop that stadium in 5000-feet high Dharamshala’s mount,
Reminded me of Jesus who willingly took cuts on his body atop mount Golgotha, to open a fount,
A fount filled with sinless, precious blood that would take away sin of all, who into it, would in repentance and faith, even today, dismount!
(Rev. Dr. Duke Jeyaraj, the author of this poem, is the founder of Grabbing the Google Generation from Gehenna Mission, the G4 Mission. This is a reader-supported ministry. Find out more at http://www.dukev.org. WhatsApp Duke at +91-8886040605).
