The 9th edition of the Indian Premier League concluded last night after almost two months and 60 fiercely fought matches and awe-inspiring performances. It was an edition full of drama, swashbuckling batting, breathtaking bowling and stunning fielding.
In a thrilling finale at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, the Sunrisers Hyderabad defeated the against the home side the Royal Challengers Bangalore to lift their maiden IPL title on Sunday. This season too was no different and a lot of records were broken and created and they were followed by tweets, reactions and quotes.
During the course of the tournament, cricketers not only won hearts of the audience with their bat, ball and fielding but also with their words. Here in this piece we bring to you 10 such quotes, while some quotes light-hearted and evoke laughter, other quotes the respect a cricketer has for its compatriot and their fans.
#1 "I would be lying if I say I have moved on" – MS Dhoni on his association with CSK
"All of a sudden if you want me to say that I am very excited to play for a new team, don't give credit to CSK and the fans for the love and affection they have given us, it will be wrong.”
The Indian limited overs captain and one of the best finishers of all time, MS Dhoni admitted of having "a little different" feeling with the prospect of representing a new franchise in the IPL. He had represented Chennai Super Kings in the first eight editions of the tournament.
#2 “I want to dedicate this innings to my brother, who always supports me.” – Krunal Pandya
“That gesture (flaunt-the-biceps celebration) was to Hardik telling that I hit so many sixes. We like to pull each other's legs. When he (Pollard) came, I told him that I will attack and so he should take a single and give me the strike. I want to dedicate this innings to my parents and my brother, who always supports me,” said Krunal as he led Mumbai to a win over Delhi.
After the duo from Baroda, Irfan and Yusuf Pathan, ‘brothers in arms’ Hardik and Krunal Pandya surely made the IPL colourful with their lively presence on and off the field.
The bromance continued throughout the tournament with both of them pulling legs of each other at different moments. After scoring a match-winning 86 from just 37 balls against the Delhi Daredevils, the elder brother celebrated by pointing towards his younger sibling.
#3 “I'm not going to see him tonight, he will be very disappointed.” – Suresh Raina on MS Dhoni
After the Rising Pune Supergiants failed to defend a humongous total of 195 against fellow debutantes Gujarat Lions, it was indeed a disappointing night for the Indian captain and his one of the best friends knew it very well.
“I have been lucky to play with MS. Learned a lot from him, unfortunately, his team didn't win today. I'm not going to see him tonight. He will be very disappointed, I will meet him later," chuckled Suresh Raina
#4. “He runs so hard between the wickets and he runs for me, I run for him.” – Virat Kohli on his partnership with AB de Villiers
The magnificent batting duo holds the top spots of record partnership of the tournament with 229 in this IPL and 215 in last edition. The Indian Test captain revealed the secret of their understanding and was full of praises the South African.
“He runs so hard between the wickets and he runs for me, I run for him. We click in the middle overs where we run so well and that's the main game - to unsettle the opposition in the middle overs so that they start panicking. Wonderful again (partnership with AB) and I told (AB) that we have to take the team home. He said, 'We will'.”
#5 “I faced too many dot balls.” (laughs, when asked if that was his best innings in T20s) – AB de Villiers hitting 129 off 52 balls
“I walked out almost feeling careless, not afraid to lose wickets, but still play good cricket shots. I faced too many dot balls.” (laughs, when asked if that was his best innings in T20s)
The South African skipper was still disappointed himself after playing a demolishing inning of 129 at a strike rate of 248 against the Gujarat Lions. However, he refused to name it as his best inning in T20s. He definitely aims really high and is one of the most modest cricketers around.
#6 Aaron Finch sends a message on behalf of all other batsmen to Virat Kohli
The RCB skipper scored a century in a rain-affected 15 overs match against the Kings XI Punjab and the fearless Aussie opener was just in awe.
#7 “There is only one captain.” – Kevin Pietersen
When being about how does it feels to him to be in a team with so many national captains of their respective sides, the stylish and controversial right-hander, Kevin Pietersen made it very clear for to everyone that who is the boss.
"How does it feel to be in a team with so many captains? There is only one captain. He is wearing gloves and purple pads. We all just get on and just play. MS (Dhoni) is the skipper, he makes the decisions,'' he announced.
#8 “When Virat is chasing he is very dangerous.” – Zaheer Khan
One of the greatest Indian bowlers of all times, Zaheer Khan knew it very well that how dangerous the right-hander can be while chasing and he was in no mood to take a risk.
"We are going to bowl first. Of course,a wonderful atmosphere here. It is good to be back, it is going to be a good contest. When Virat is chasing he is very dangerous so we decided we will bowl first (smiles),” he said after opting to bowl at the toss.
#9 The Royal Challengers Bangalore is not just a team for the Big Man, it's his family.
"We get along well. Sarfaraz keeps texting me and the way he played today was fantastic. He's too young and he's like a son to me. He's definitely one for the future and one must keep an eye on him," said the self-proclaimed Universe Boss, after the youngster made a 10-ball 35 to finish the inning for RCB. The West Indian opener is very close to his IPL franchise and enjoys an overwhelming support at RCB’s home ground, the M. Chinnaswamy stadium.
#10 “It was hard for a lot of foreign players to leave India after the country showered so much love on them throughout IPL”
The ‘DJ Bravo’ expressed his love and affection for India after the Gujarat Lions campaign came to an end. His stay in the country was considerably fruitful with West Indies being victorious of the recently concluded World T20 while Gujarat Lions were the table toppers before they lost to the Sunrisers Hyderabad in the Qualifier 2. Though the West Indian all-rounder disappointed with bat scoring just 99 runs in IPL but was quite impressive with the ball and grabbed 15 wickets in his 15 innings.
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