Did Laxmipati Balaji bowl the worst last over of his life?

Not only worst of his life, but in IPL history too. There were no such player that could press before the delivery, like Pollard or Tendulkar himself. A mere Franklin and A. Rayadu but they could able to steal required 21 runs (they scored 23) with luck and with Gambhir's wrong strategy. Balaji is the last over specialist in KKR so Gambhir didn't decide to change the plan. Had tried to deliver yorkers they could have worked. I couldn't understand why Gambhir didn't keep a third man and why Balaji didn't try to bowl wicket to wicket, at least he could have tried for yorkers. Yusuf Pathan was the only spinner left who had quota left after bowling a nice spell (0-7) in 1 over. But they didn't want to take risk as both the players were stroke players and could have gone for sixers. So, last option was Balaji but his focus was not right. What did they learn from Wasim Akram I don't understand, and why they don't apply themselves and drown the millions heart. Whatever, forget the past and they should try to win back to back matches to reach the final despite losing a berth for easier road to final and a ticket to champions trophy. The batsmen did a fine job, a competitive 175 after collective effort. Had Tiwary lasted few more overs they could compile nearly 200 as Tiwary was in flow of runs. Jackque played a responsible innings and helped them a lot to score 175. Thanks to Bhatia, Ten Doeschate and Yusuf Pathan for their sparks.

Do you still have a doubt?

I think Gauti made a mistake by having Balaji bowl the crucial last over when Balaji was not bowling well in the match and was under the pump the whole day. Moreover, Mumbai had some batting left and would have come hard in the final over anyway. And, so with some luck to go with some bad bowling courtesy Balaji, Mumbai Indians were able to score a thrilling victory. Balaji tried too many things. He should have focused better and executed his plans better by bowling to his strengths (cutters, slower ones), by bowling on target with varying pace, providing no room to free their arms to go under the ball or to cut the ball. Players are also humans and can fail under pressure. Balaji himself looked anguished. I am sure he will work on mental aspect of his game to become a better bowler in future.

He should give a capital punishment by his owner(Shah Rukh Khan) whats the hell he has done in yesterday match just disgusting ok he bowl all 5 deliver in wrong place not a big deal but he make me laugh and angry in same time when he bowled fultoss to naydu at the last bowled whoops what could i say about that

In cricket anything can happen. May be Balaji would have learnt not to bowl as he did yesterday. But I remember one match - may be you would have been a small boy-- about 10/12 years ago - that was a match in middle east-Indian Vs Pakistan-final - last ball 4 runs required - Chetan Sharma bowled a full toss which Javed Miandad hit six and they won. It happens in cricket. Mumbai Indians are good players. But they have not been performing to that extent. They have regained form. Balaji bowled badly. He will bowl similarly in further matches also. that is cricket,.have a good day

Yes, this was the worst last over he's ever bowled in his life & never forgets this moment. He could've got 2 good balls in block hole & that would have turned the match in KKR's way. 21 runs off 1 over is not easy & a bowler like Balaji couldn't gave away more than required that is 23 runs from his last over. He was bowling to Franklin not of big reputation, but he scored 4 boundaries from the first 4 balls. If I were in Gambir's place, I would've given bowling to Yusuf Pathan instead of Balaji. KKR lost a good chance to move up to 2nd place.

I do not think that balaji has done a big mistake in IPL 2011. You see this is T2o format. There are two hitters at the crease. You can't expect the batsmen stay at crease and tried to hit for maximum. Hitters may come front, go right and left side to get them into good position to knock maximum. A bowler keep all those thins into their mind before delivering the ball.Though he tried for yorkers it all went as low full toss, but the batsman could not hit well, all went by edge. not keeping the third man and long fine leg causing the victory to Mubmai Indians. I think Franklin could make his timing well while hitting, if his timing was good, KKR would have won the match. but i should say that last he bowled to Rayudu was worst one.

Don't think like that there is still more worst over to come in his life........haha just joking. Might be it his worst if he didn't do more of like that in future. He bowled badly due to the pressure and he was not pitching any ball on right place he must not give the full toss or what ever you say hit me wherever like that. The ball he give was deserve the treatement from franlin and rayadu.

Yesterday was completely ridiculous Balaji was really good this season its seams he have to carry the fame nehra carried once recently