The Indian Premier League has got off to a grand start with a lot of close finishes and some quality cricket on display. Here are the best moments of IPL week one.
1. Albie Morkel—so close, yet so far.
In the game between the Chennai Super Kings and Delhi Daredevils, Albie Morkel nearly single-handedly took Delhi to victory. DD were on a 10-game losing streak and were looking to start the tournament on a winning note. In the last over, 19 runs were required and it came down to six needed off one delivery. DJ Bravo bowled a length delivery and Albie lofted it towards wide long off, but unfortunately, the ball fell six feet within the boundary ropes and Delhi fell short by two runs. It was a case of so being so close, yet so far.
- Harbhajan Singh and Anureet Singh’s sweet encounter
We were enthralled and entertained by some belligerent hitting from Harbhajan Singh. The game looked all over for the Mumbai Indians but Harbhajan Singh had other ideas and reignited some spark in the game. The best part was the engaging battle between Harbhajan and Anureet Singh, cheekily called the two paajis. Harbhajan launched the young Anureet for three consecutive sixes in an over but eventually Anureet got the better of him in the final over and it was nice to see the senior paaji Harbhajan appreciate Anureet’s efforts.
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CCacJsJUwAA__BQ.jpg:large
- Brendon McCullum’s scintillating and dazzling batting.
Chennai Super Kings got off to a great start and entered Ishant Sharma into the attack. He had been India’s best fast bowler on their tour of Australia, and had missed the World Cup with a knee injury. Brendon McCullum or Baz as he is fondly known just ripped him apart. Ishant delivered several no balls and even the crowd got into the action by screaming “We want no ball”. I was lucky to be in the crowd that day and witnessed some mind boggling and outrageous batting. He played lap shots, ferocious pulls and basically tormented the SRH bowling line up.
http://img.cricketcb.com/i/news/fw/600×500/stories/2015/apr/11/prv_aaedd_1428761261.jpg
- Deepak Hooda—IPL’s new superstar?
Rajasthan Royals were in a precarious position of 78-4 when 19 year-old Deepak Hooda walked out to bat. The Royals still needed 107 off 56 balls and with four wickets down it looked unattainable. But, this 19 year-old removed all the doubts and just blazed away to a match winning knock of 55 off 24 balls. It was once again a case of Rajasthan Royals backing an unknown youngster and giving him the freedom to play in his way. This has often happened with the Royals in the last seven seasons and once again we could have a new superstar in our hands.
- Tim Southee and Karun Nair’s catch
Rajasthan Royals’ duo Tim Southee and Karun Nair showed an incredible bit of skill and teamwork to take an outstanding catch and prevent a six for the Rajasthan Royals. The game was as good as done and just when things were meandering on, Southee and Karun Nair did something spectacular. It was an astonishing and assisted hokey-pokey catch. They saved a sure boundary and ended up plucking out one of the greatest ever catches we have ever seen on a cricket field. This catch will remain in the minds of many for years to come and played on YouTube on a loop.
http://india.arshkapoor.netdna-cdn.com/lwos-content/uploads/2015/04/CCP9tOKUkAEwgEq.jpg
