OTD | Deccan Chargers beat Royal Challengers Bangalore to lift their only IPL title in Johannesburg in 2009

Deccan Chargers is a defunct Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise that played just five seasons. However, that brief stint was enough for the Hyderabad-based franchise to make an impact in the cash-rich league. After enduring a horror campaign in the inaugural edition (2008), finishing bottom of the points table, the Chargers won their maiden title the following year. 

Led by former Australian wicket keeper-batter Adam Gilchrist, the team featured superstars like Herschelle Gibbs, Rohit Sharma and VVS Laxman. They opened their campaign with an eight-wicket win over Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and went on to finish the league stage in fourth place. They marched into the final with a comprehensive six-wicket win over Delhi Capitals (formerly Delhi Capitals).  

On 24 May 2009, the Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg hosted a thrilling final between the Chargers and Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB – formerly Royal Challengers Bangalore). RCB had a dominant run and were considered favourites to win the title. The Red Army restricted the Chargers to 143-6 on the back of a brilliant spell by captain Anil Kumble (4/16 in four overs). 

Captain Anil Kumble’s individual brilliance could not help RCB  

Invited to bat first, the Hyderabad side suffered an early setback as the in-form Gilchrist was dismissed for a three-ball duck in the very first over. It was Kumble who drew first blood and the leg-spinner went on to claim three more, including the wicket of current India captain Rohit Sharma. Opener Gibbs’ unbeaten 53 and brief cameos from Andrew Symonds (33) and Rohit (24) helped them to go past 140 runs. 

In reply, RCB lost Jacques Kallis in the powerplay and the star all-rounder sparked a collapse. Roelof van der Merwe (32) and Ross Taylor (27) tried to pull them out of danger but the opposition bowlers kept applying pressure with regular wickets. Eventually, RCB were restricted to 137/9 and the Chargers clinched the coveted title with a thrilling six-run victory.   

Pragyan Ojha and Symonds were the pick of the bowlers as the duo took three and two wickets, respectively. Although RCB lost the match, Anil Kumble was named Player of the Match for his outstanding spell.