IPL has always been known for nerve wrecking last minute finishes and surprising tactics. Many of these new strategies have been eventful and a few have backfired. However, these surprising decisions and aftermath in thrilling IPL encounters are like the crux of the biscuit.
All of us remember how Dhoni in Champions Trophy 2013 promoted Rohit Sharma as an opener and how it paid off. Such captaincy decisions have many a times altered the course of the game. Not just these decisions, there are more contributing factors that reshaped the game. Important wickets, spectacular run outs, no balls and a lot more.
List of players who have taken Hat Tricks in IPL all time: List and information on each hattrick
Here is a glimpse of few important moments in IPL last decade that revamped the games:
The unforgettable NO BALL!!
This happened during the 16th match of IPL 2013. The match was between Chennai Super Kings and Royal Challengers Bangalore. With half centuries from Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers RCB posted a target of 166. The Kings lost their openers cheaply. The middle order that rebuilt the match did not last longer. The combined efforts of middle order and the finishers made the match a thriller from dust.
CSK needed 16 runs of the last over with Jadeja on strike. Chennai were 2 runs away from winning and Bangalore were a ball away from the same. Jadeja ran a single but was caught. Kohli and the Bangalore crowd started to celebrate.
However, their happiness was short lived. The umpire declared it a no ball. This turned the tables with CSK reaching the target and were declared winners. This is considered to be one of the best last ball thrillers and of course, one unforgettable NO BALL.
Opener – Out of the syllabus
In 2017, Gautam Gambhir decided to promote a leading bowler as an opening batsman. This came as a surprise for many as the spin king of the team yet again made the team win, this time with his bat. It was none other than Sunil Narine. This happened in the game between KKR and KXIP in 2017.
Gambhir opened the game along with Narine. This decision of promoting him proved to be really useful as he scored a quick-fire 37 off just 18 balls. Also, he had yet another good day with his bowling. He conceded only 19 runs of his four over quota.
It was a very interesting gamble by KKR that put them on the victory side. Though Narine had opened earlier in Big Bash League, it was a surprise feast for the fans of IPL as it was his first time in this league.
A dive that won a thriller
In 2015, due to elections, IPL was conducted in the UAE. In a match between Bangalore and Kolkata, KKR grabbed the victory in the last over. RCB bowled well restricting KKR to 150 runs in 20 overs. Bangalore required nine runs off the last over, which was brought down to six runs in three balls. AB de Villiers was on strike and hit the fourth ball towards mid-on region. Everyone expected it to clear the ropes making it a victory for RCB.
Lynn ran in and dived backwards completing a super catch. The dive helped KKR win the game as another nail-biter was witnessed in the history of IPL.
When Pune Warriors lost winning
In 2013, Pune Warriors were chasing 120 runs against Sunrisers Hyderabad. They were in the verge of winning with a score of 101 runs. Things changed drastically, within a span of few minutes, Pune lost six wickets. Amit Mishra produced a hat-trick as Hyderabad snatched the match away from Pune. Pune Warriors lost those six wickets for just seven runs.
8 overs of Spin
Mumbai Indians are one of the most consistent teams in IPL and have the most number of wins to their name. The game changers who lead them to the playoffs in 2019 IPL are Krunal Pandya and Rahul Chahar. The eight overs of spin that they bowled paved way for the Mumbai to tie the match. They just conceded 43 runs in eight overs. Bumrah’s twin wickets saved them by breaking a quick start. What happened further are just the miracles of Mumbai’s spin attack.
The league has evolved over the years. It gets better day by day like wine. Let’s get ready to witness more miracles and spectacular performances. The IPL 2020 is hardly a few months away. Hip hip hurray!!
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