IPL 2016: Top 7 moments of the tournament

So, that’s it. A tournament that spanned for almost 2 months is over in what seems like a blink of the eye. The IPL 2016 started off with a lot of one-sided affairs that became displeasing to seekers of entertainment.

However, as the competition gradually progressed, we got some fantastic games that made fans chew on their nails.

Be it AB de Villiers’ furious innings of 129 or Mustafizur’s art of bowling with brilliance in death overs, we have seen it all in the IPL. The tournament provided some glorious moments that will forever be stitched to the minds of fans.

And here are the top 7 moments from this year’s IPL…

---

#1 Mustafizur to Russell

There is no better sight for a bowler than watching a batsman lose his stumps to a delivery he bowled. However, if something tops that, it is witnessing the batsman fall to the ground while trying to defend his wicket.

Something like this happened with Sunrisers Hyderabad took on Kolkata Knight Riders.

Andre Russell was the most important player for KKR. His incredible power hitting in the final part of the innings is well complemented by his ability to bowl in the right areas. So when Mustafizur Rahman crashed his stumps while also making him taste the pitch, it was a sight to behold.

The 20-year old Bangladeshi bowled a solid yorker. The pace of it perhaps stunned the West Indian as he was completely out of position and desperately brought his bat down to stop the ball, falling over in the process.

#2 Virat/AB fury

Scoring 247 runs in a 50 over game provides a competitive target to defend. However, scoring that in a T20 game is another level of unreality entirely.

That is what Virat kohli and AB de Villiers did as they churned the ocean to weave a maelstrom that destroyed the Gujarat Lions.

Chris Gayle was out early, leaving AB de Villiers to partner up with Virat Kohli. While the latter was taking his time to build up his innings, the former came down all-guns-blazing from the very first ball itself.

In the end, the South African was unbeaten at 129 while playing just 52 balls. The Indian Test team captain also made an epic acceleration in the end as he also ended up with the century under his belt. Both of them also formed a record-breaking 229 runs partnership.

#3 Axar’s hattrick

The only hat-trick in this year’s IPL came from the arm of Axar Patel. While AB de Villiers and Virat Kohli managed to form the highest runs’ partnership against the Lions, Axar Patel scored the first and only hat-trick of this year’s IPL.

Punjab had put up a meagre score of 154 runs. For Gujarat Lions, it was supposed to be an uncomplicated chase given the strength of their line-up. However, a tormenting spell of 5 balls ruined it all for them as Axar took 4 wickets in that time.

Out of those, 3 came in 3 balls as he took the wickets of Dinesh Karthik, Dwayne Smith and Ravindra Jadeja to etch his name to the milestone.

#4 Dhoni’s last over attack

Here is another moment that has Axar Patel related to it. This time, however, he would definitely want this to be erased from his memory as this could cause him pain for the rest of his life.

Needing 23 runs off the last over, the game was Punjab’s to lose—and lose, they did. From the first 4 balls, the Indian ODI team captain managed to grab 11 runs—making it a near impossible task since 12 from 2 balls is a Herculean ask.

However, ‘Mahi’ kept his cool and showed the world as to why he is still rated as one of the most revered finishers in the game. He managed to hit consecutive sixes in two balls and give his team a win in the most astounding of fashions.

#5 Watson-Wiese team catch

When I was a child in school, we used to have an annual sports event like every other school. Now, I was never a fast runner, but I loved participating in relay runs. I used to get thrilled while running with the baton and passing it.

However, what I never knew—or thought was possible—was that this was possible in cricket too.

As Shreyas Iyer skied the ball over Shane Watson, the Australian ran back towards the boundary and caught the ball while at full speed. The momentum was taking Watson over the fence, but he showed great presence of mind to relay it back to the onrushing David Wiese, who also had to dive to get hold of it and complete a brilliant effort.

#6 Dhawal Kulkarni’s spell at Chinnaswamy

The pitch at the Chinnaswamy stadium is always made with only one intention: to make it a batting haven. So when a bowler is able to get the wickets of Chris Gayle and Virat Kohli within 2 overs of his spell, he deserves a mention on every list of similar vein.

As the Royal Challengers were out to chase 159 runs, many expected it to be a very easy chase for a team filled with star batsmen. However, Dhawal Kulkarni had other plans.

By the time he finished his 3rd over, he already took 4 wickets and gave away only 8 runs in the process. No bowler has ever bowled like that against RCB’s line-up and perhaps no bowler ever will.

#7 Ben Cutting’s all-round display to finish off the tournament in style

When he came out to bat, the Sunrisers were batting at 147/4 after 16 overs. When he left the pitch after 20 overs, the score read 208. In the last 4 overs, the Sunrisers managed to score 61 runs to make sure that they reached a total that would put up a challenge for Kohli and co.

He played only 15 balls, but scored a massive 39 runs. Royal Challengers’ most consistent bowler, Shane Watson, was smacked for 24 runs in his very last over—23 of which were scored by him.

But he was not done just yet.

As Chris Gayle was tormenting and toying with the Sunrisers bowlers, he halted the big man with a clever ball. Then, as Lokesh Rahul was beginning to look dangerous, he provided the breakthrough once again as he cleaned up the stumps of the talented wicketkeeper-batsman.

He ended his spell of 4 overs with 35 runs on board while also picking 2 wickets in the process. A perfect all-round display to round off the tournament.