5 IPL innings with highest strike-rates

#4 Balachandra Akhil – 385.71 vs Deccan Chargers (2008)

Akhil played domestic cricket for Karnataka in the 2000s

Not many have heard about Balachandra Akhil. He was a utility player - bowled medium pace and batted in the middle-order for Karnataka and was one of their key members for almost a decade. He was also a part of the RCB setup in the first three years and played 15 IPL games where he picked up six wickets at an economy of 7.72.

In 2008, both Royal Challengers Bangalore and Deccan Chargers had disappointing outings. At the fag end of the tournament, the two teams were battling hard not to finish with the wooden spoon and in the 51st game of the season, these teams faced off against each other.

Batting first, Deccan Chargers got to 165. Chasing more than 8 runs per over, three out of the top four RCB batsmen got into the 30s but none of them could convert it into a big score. With 25 to get in 16 balls, Akhil walked out to join Cameron White in the middle, who was looking in good touch.

But Akhil took it upon himself to finish the game as he struck a 7-ball 27 to win RCB the game with 6 balls to spare. He struck his first couple of balls for fours to get going and then hit three sixes in the 19th over to finish the game.