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Much like the 2003 Cricket World Cup when Mark Boucher had played out a ball thinking the Proteas had crossed the scheduled Duckworth Lewis target, Dabang Delhi’s Kashiling Adake had a moment of indecision last night. Much like the aforementioned event, the hosts again succumbed and failed to register what should have been a comfortable win.
In what was the buzzer raid last night, the Titans from Hyderabad kept a high line, not letting Kashi cross the bonus line. The star raider however claimed to have touched Deepak Nivas Hooda and out of buoyancy, didn’t cross the half line, assuming he had done enough to seal a win for his team. The referees, however, after a review, decided in favour of the Titans and the Dabangs had to settle for 3 points instead of the 5 that they would have pocketed had Kashi’s claim stood.
Irrespective of that decision, the moustache twirling raider from Maharashtra had a brilliant day! A tournament record 24 points stand testimony to the same. In process, he also scored 200 points in the league over the last 2 seasons and thus adding to what was a ceremonious night.
Addressing the media right after the game, he said, “It was amazing to be lifted by my teammates and paroled across the court. I would have wanted to finish on a winning note though – there is no greater satisfaction than helping your team win and if I have one regret from tonight, it has to be finishing tied on points with the Telegu Titans.”
Upon asked if they formulated a specific plan for the team which thrashed them in the season opener, he replied, “Not really, we actually had a really poor game against Jaipur (Pink Panthers) and the focus was to regroup and return to winning ways.”
Return to winning ways, they did, well almost! The result however ensured the Dabangs remained just 5 points aloof the elusive playoff spots. If Kashi and co. can pursue the same kind of passion over the next couple of games and Jaipur and Patna endure losses, there is a case for us to see more of this Maratha warrior. That, as most of us would agree after last night, would deem great for onlookers and the league alike!
