IPL has been home to some of the most unbelievable sporting moments. The quality of cricket and the level of competitiveness is what separates IPL from all the other leagues in the world. Today we look at the top 5 most jaw-dropping moments in the history of IPL.
Yusuf goes ballistic:
This was game number 54 in the 2014 edition of the Indian Premier League between Kolkata Knight Riders and Sunrisers Hyderabad. Kolkata had already qualified for the playoffs, while Hyderabad was out of contention so this match wasn’t of much importance contextually. But here’s the catch, Kolkata had the chance to move to the second place ahead of Chennai Super Kings, if they chase the score set by Hyderabad in 15.2 overs. And, Kolkata did it in style on the back of Yusuf Pathan's destructive 72 off 22, breaking the record for the fastest fifty in IPL and finishing the chase in 14.2 overs. Kolkata cashed in on the momentum and went on to win their second IPL title.
The Royal choke:
Another classic from the 2014 edition between Rajasthan Royals and Mumbai Indians. This was the last league match for both the teams and a place in the playoffs was on the line. Mumbai was behind Rajasthan in net run rate, so they needed to chase down the target set by Rajasthan in 14.3 overs. Rajasthan scored a well made 189 with the help of some clean hitting by Sanju Samson and Karun Nair. Corey Anderson anchored Mumbai's innings, supported by cameos from Ambati Rayudu and Michael Hussey. The equation was 8 off two balls for Mumbai to book a place in the playoffs, when Rayudu hit one over deep square leg for six. What followed was a thrilling spectacle, as Rayudu was run out the next ball attempting a second. The scores were tied and the match referee passed on the information that a boundary off the next ball will see Mumbai through. Faulkner bowled a low full toss which was dispatched for a six by Aditya Tare and all of Mumbai were on their feet. This match is one for the ages.
BMac's eruption:
April 18, 2008, the inaugural match of the Indian Premier League. The tournament could not have gotten a better advertisement than Brendan McCullum's unbeaten 158, playing for Kolkata Knight Riders against Royal Challengers Bangalore. McCullum forced Bangalore into submission with his robust and destructive hitting, which included 10 fours and 13 maximums. He pummel Bangalore’s helpless bowlers all round the park and helped Kolkata finish on 222/3 single handedly. Bangalore was all out for a paltry 82 in their attempt to chase the target with only a single batsman making runs in double digits. This match will always be remembered for Brendan McCullum’s onslaught.
Gayle Storm in Bangalore:
Christopher Henry Gayle displayed once again why he is the greatest T20 bat in the history of the game. Match number 31 of the Indian Premier League 2013 between Royal Challengers Bangalore and Pune Warriors India turned into a bloodbath for the Pune bowlers as Gayle clobbered his way to the fastest century(30 balls) in T20s. He also shattered the records for the highest individual score(175*) and most sixes in an innings in T20s. Bangalore scored a mammoth 263/5, which again, is a record for the highest team total in T20s and restricted Pune to 133/9 with a clinical performance with the ball. The crowd at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium got their penny’s worth.
Bangalore's Kohlapse:
Royal Challengers Bangalore collapsed to a meager 49 in spectacular fashion against Kolkata Knight Riders in the Indian Premier League, 2017. Kolkata was off to a flier, thanks to Sunil Narine's 34 off 17, scoring the fastest team fifty of the season. Bangalore came back with the ball and bowled out Kolkata for 132, which was a sub par score on the flat Edens Garden pitch. The batting line up of Chris Gayle, Virat Kohli, AB de Villiers was expected to chase this without much agitation, but what ensued was a spineless display of batting with not a single batsman scoring in double digits. It was a reflection of Bangalore’s horrible season, as they finished at the bottom of the table with only 3 wins in 14 games. Their debacle with the bat still holds the record for the lowest innings total in Indian Premier League's history.
These were some of the moment's which made us drop our jaws and gaze in disbelief. One of the wonders of T20 cricket is how a moment’s negligence can cost so much and be the difference between victory and defeat. We look forward to some more of these moments in the next edition of the Indian Premier League.
