Kolkata Knight Riders Secure IPL Title with Stunning Manvinder Bisla Performance In 2012
Kolkata Knight Riders clinched the IPL title from the Chennai Super Kings’ grasp, with Manvinder Bisla’s remarkable performance stealing the spotlight.
Little-known Manvinder Bisla gave the standout effort as Kolkata Knight Riders forced the Chennai Super Kings to give up the IPL crown.
Chennai Super Kings 190 for 3 (Raina 73, Hussey 54, Vijay 42) lost to Kolkata Knight Riders 192 for 5 (Bisla 89, Kallis 69) by five wickets.
Both teams featured some of the biggest stars in the world of cricket, and there was a galaxy of former Indian cricket players in attendance. The biggest show came from little-known Manvinder Bisla, as Kolkata Knight Riders defeated Chennai Super Kings to win the IPL trophy.After missing out on a Ranji Trophy team the previous season, Bisla made light of his 106 lifetime Twenty20 strike rate by playing a jack-in-the-box innings that helped clear what had appeared to be a daunting Super Kings total.
For the third time in a row, a batsman for the Super Kings who appeared to be out of form performed brilliantly (this time it was Suresh Raina), and the cornerstone of the Knight Riders’ batting attack, Gautam Gambhir, was dismissed in the opening over, giving the Super Kings the opportunity to win the title for the third consecutive year.
When Bisla stepped in, everything was different. He was able to dent Super Kings with a series of lofted extra cover drives, either by dancing down the track to get near to the pitch of the ball or by jumping beyond leg to make room for almost every ball he encountered. The first indication that the defending champions were in peril came when Bisla launched the Knight Riders’ innings with four consecutive off-side fours against Albie Morkel in the fourth over.
In order to give Bisla the upper hand over regular wicketkeeper-batsman Brendon McCullum, the seasoned Jacques Kallis stroked the singles to give Bisla the majority of the strike. Bisla displayed no symptoms of letting the pressure of the moment get to him.
In the subsequent over, a slower one from Dwayne Bravo was hammered for six, and R Ashwin, who has been a major contributor to the Super Kings‘ victories for the previous three seasons, was blasted over his head for a pair of elegant sixes. The Knight Riders were in control after 30 minutes of Bisla’s fireworks, and even the normally nonchalant MS Dhoni was lecturing his side angrily during the time-out.
Bisla appeared to have a century at his disposal, but Morkel’s slower one saw him through, holing out to point for 89. Then Kallis went from being vigilant to being wallop. Although it was decided not to move Laxmi Shukla up to No. 4, Kallis struck one of the most impressive strokes of the game, a lofted drive that split extra cover and long off for four.
Subsequently, there was a heart-stopping moment when Kallis struck the ball towards deep midwicket, and Michael Hussey managed to make a difficult catch but was unable to stop himself from sailing over the rope.
Also Read: IPL Winners List From 2008 to 2023: Records, Teams, and Historic Moments
The awful 2012 season for Yusuf Pathan eventually came to a fitting end as he was dismissed for 1 after top-edged a sweep. Ben Hilfenhaus reappeared for his last over in the 19th over, after taking out Gambhir early and bowling a probing spell with the new ball. He added more spice to the match by forcing a straining Kallis to slice a catch to sweeper cover. By delivering a full throw that was no-balled for height and then another full toss that Shakib Al Hasan skillfully scooped for four, Hilfenhaus undid that.
Knight Riders needed nine to get into the final over of the tournament. Despite some frantic running and only two singles off the first two balls, Manoj Tiwary’s two boundaries behind square leg broke the five-season trophy drought and set off scenes of raucous jubilation.
During the game’s first half, the Chennai crowd was the ones having fun. People were left wondering if Knight Riders had erred in their judgment by selecting an unimpressive Brett Lee for the championship match after performances by M Vijay and Michael Hussey. A combined 87 runs in the first half of the innings between Vijay and Hussey brought back memories of their 159-run opening partnership that decimated Royal Challengers Bangalore in the previous season’s championship.
Raina then assumed control and produced his greatest inning of the year. Weak in the short ball game? Raina’s first boundary came off Kallis with a powerful six over midwicket. What is Sunil Narine’s mystery? Raina slog-swept into the grandstands, then dropped the ball close to the sightscreen while Narine received his priciest stats of the competition.
Knight Riders held their own in the field against Super Kings, unlike Delhi Daredevils who had faded two days earlier. Shakib made an incredible catch in deep to give them their first lead, and many outfield dives were made to stop further runs. They carried that same never-say-die mentality into the batter’s box as well.
Knight Riders demonstrated why they had only dropped two of their preceding 12 games and that they were capable of winning even on days when Gambhir and Narine, two of their main players, weren’t feeling well. There had been a lot written about those two in the stacks of articles leading up to the final, but almost anyone mentioned Bisla. After this game, especially in Kolkata, people won’t be asking, “Manvinder Bisla who?” too much because a title had been elusive for five dramatic seasons.
From Wanderer to Superstar: Manvinder Bisla’s Journey
Manvinder Bisla’s meteoric rise in the cricketing world culminated in a stunning performance during the IPL final, etching his name into the annals of cricket history. Known for his wanderlust across various teams in the Ranji Trophy and IPL, Bisla’s journey embodies perseverance and seizing the right opportunities at the right time.
Born in Hisar, Haryana, Bisla initially made waves in the cricketing scene, representing India Under-19 before venturing into Ranji Trophy with Himachal Pradesh. His relentless pursuit of success led him to Jammu & Kashmir briefly, showcasing his ambition and modern-day approach to the game.
Despite the traditional emphasis on loyalty to one’s association in Indian cricket, Bisla’s hunger for success transcended boundaries. This ambition was evident as he continually sought new challenges and opportunities, demonstrating a spirit akin to modern cricketing greats. Bisla’s journey wasn’t without setbacks, facing near-misses with the national team and grappling with injuries that momentarily halted his progress.
However, his resilience and team-centric approach never wavered, earning praise for his competitive spirit and leadership qualities on and off the field.
The turning point arrived on May 27 during the IPL final when fate intervened, thrusting Bisla into the spotlight. His innings resonated with the finesse of Jacques Kallis, showcasing his adaptability and prowess under pressure. This stellar performance not only earned accolades from commentators but also garnered gratitude from team owners and fans alike.
After years of restlessness and uncertainty, Bisla’s triumph in the IPL final marked a new chapter in his career. No longer a wanderer, he had found a home in the hearts of cricket enthusiasts worldwide. His journey serves as a testament to the rewards of perseverance, talent, and seizing the moment when destiny knocks.
