5 memorable moments in IPL history

The Indian Premier League has become part of the Indian culture and tradition.

The IPL is not only about fun and entertainment but also the memories that are created while watching the games together - an evening treat by a friend just because his/her favorite team lost the game, or a sudden shout of excitement when Virat or Rohit just about cleared the fence are common happenings when the IPL season is on.

With the league being attached to emotions, here is a look at some of the memorable IPL moments from the decade-old history of the tournament.

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#1 A memorable debut - Kolkata Knight Riders vs Delhi Daredevils, May 13, 2008

Shoaib Akhtar was adjudged the Player of the Match on his IPL debut

One of the fastest bowlers in the history of the game was at his frightening best when he made his IPL debut at the Eden Gardens. The Delhi Daredevils' top 4 hopes was shattered by the Rawalpindi Express, Shoaib Akhtar, who was simply unstoppable on the day.

After the Knight Riders made just 133 runs batting first, not many gave them a chance to defend the total successfully. But the Pakistani speedster had other ideas.

With a brilliant spell of 3 overs, 4 for 11, the four scalps including the likes of Sehwag, Gambhir and de Villiers, Akhtar never let the DD chase breathe at ease and helped KKR surpass the Daredevils on the points table.

Akhtar’s spell is enough to ponder upon how much more enriching the tournament would have been if the Pakistani players were allowed to participate.

#2 Best Record for any bowler - Kings XI Punjab vs Mumbai Indians, May 18, 2013

Gilchrist celebrates after picking up a wicket

The Australian wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist was playing his last game in professional cricket, and after ensuring that they cannot lose the match, Gilchrist decided to have some fun. Since 51 runs were required of the final 6 balls of the last match that Gilchrist was playing, he decided to bowl the final over.

In a memorable turn of events, Gilchrist bowled an off-spinner to the veteran off-spinner Harbhajan Singh, who had dismissed Gilchrist many times over the course of his career. Harbhajan’s slog went straight to the long on fielder and Gilli’s Gangnam style celebration began.

With an economy and average of zero and a strike rate of a wicket per ball, Gilchrist has undoubtedly the best record for any bowler. Perhaps a fitting farewell for a legend of the game.

#3 The Gayle Storm - Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Pune Warriors, April 23, 2013

Gayle broke his way into several record books after this match

Nothing defines Chris Gayle better than this particular superhuman effort from the West Indian. He is one of the best in the business when it comes to the shortest format of the game and has the most number of runs, centuries, sixes, fastest century, and half-century.

In this match against the Pune Warriors India, Chris Gayle made a massive 175 runs in 11 overs, which included 17 sixes and 13 boundaries. It was raining sixes in Bengaluru and at one point even 200 looked within reach for the West Indian.

The Universe Boss recorded the highest individual score in this format - aided the team total to the highest ever in a T20 game (263) - scored the highest number of sixes in a T20 innings and scored the fastest hundred in a T20 encounter.

But that was not all, the southpaw who bowls with his right hand picked up two wickets in the final over of the match. The Pune Warriors, in reply, failed to come close to Gayle’s total, let alone the target.

#4 Best vs Best - Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Deccan Chargers, May 6, 2012

ABD and Steyn after an absolute masterclass by de Villiers

What makes IPL so much exciting is two countrymates against each other in a high voltage clash - AB de Villiers and Dale Steyn. Both are at the peak of their game and was arguably a battle between the best bowler and the best batsman in the world.

AB’s team, RCB, need 39 off 18 deliveries and 12 of those balls were to be bowled by Steyn who was playing for the Deccan Chargers.

But Mr. 360 was in a different zone altogether and made sure that Steyn bowled only one over.

How did he do it? AB had saved his best while facing Steyn. The scoops, the flat batted smash, the pull - everything came into play as the South African batsman scored 23 runs of Steyn’s 18th over including 2 sixes and 2 fours.

With 16 to win in 2 overs, ABD smashed 15 of the next 4 balls and helped RCB to victory, thanks to the sheer genius of de Villiers.

However, the memory that stands out is Steyn’s expression after the match was over. Sometimes when one has been outplayed by the opposition (who happens to be your friend) there is no harm in applauding. Gentleman’s game, indeed!

#5 Extra time in Cricket - Mumbai Indians vs Rajasthan Royals, May 25, 2014

Aditya Tare celebrates after hitting the winning six

When the net run rate comes into picture, silly things tend to happen. However, the Mumbai Indians and Rajasthan Royals encounter will go down in IPL folklore.

The equation was simple. Mumbai Indians needed to surpass the target of 189 within 14.3 overs to move to the next stage. At 14.3 overs, the Mumbai Indians scoreboard showed exactly 189, thanks to one of the best knocks of IPL- Corey Anderson’s 95 off 44.

The scoreboard showed that Mumbai Indians would get one more ball and only a boundary- either a six or four will grant them a place in the final four.

Aditya Tare, who came in to face his first ball, smashed a James Faulkner delivery for six as the Royals were stunned at what had just happened.

The match, though, is also remembered for something that happened just then. Rahul Dravid, who was witnessing the match from the dugout, threw away his cap in disgust and went inside. Probably the closest Dravid came to indecent behavior on the field.