IPL 2018: 6 Talking points from week 1

IPL 2018 is just a week old, but we have already witnessed some thrilling performances, some which have resulted in match-winning efforts and some that have endured the disappointment of a loss.

We have seen some star players reinvent themselves and we have also seen multiple IPL debutants performing on the grand stage seamlessly as if they are made for it. Staying true to the IPL motto, talent has certainly met opportunity and the opportunities have transformed into heroic performances.

We take a look at 6 talking points from week 1 of the mega event.

6) Dwayne Bravo’s bravado

The West Indian all-rounder, who is better known for his death bowling abilities in recent years, showed that he is still a force to reckon with, with the bat in hand.

Bravo walked in to bat when the score read 75-5 at the end of 12 overs. Chennai Super Kings still needed 91 runs in just 48 balls. CSK kept losing wickets at the other end and soon found themselves in a hopeless situation needing 47 runs to get off the last 3 overs with just 2 wickets in hand (and the last batsman being an injured Kedar Jadhav). This is when Dwayne Bravo decided to take the matter into his own hands.

He blasted Mitchell McClenaghan for a couple of sixes and a boundary and the equation read 27 to get from 12 balls. With India’s number one T20 bowler, Jasprit Bumrah, bowling the penultimate over, Mumbai Indians would have been confident of defending these runs. But Bravo had other ideas. He hit Bumrah out of the boundary 3 times and the over cost MI 20 runs, eventually resulting in the match going CSK’s way.

Although Bravo was out after a breezy 30-ball 68, his single handed effort was enough for the men in yellow to start their long-awaited campaign on a winning note.

5) Mujeeb Ur Rahman, the youngest player in IPL history

Mujeeb Ur Rahman had a dream IPL debut

The 17-year old lad from Afghanistan, playing for King XI Punjab, created history when he became the youngest IPL player ever. The fairy tale for Mujeeb Ur Rehman continued when he dismissed the number one T20 batsman, Colin Munro, on just his third ball of IPL career.

Rehman continued his impressive debut and later accounted for the dismissal of the dangerous-looking Rishabh Pant. He ended up with figures of 2-28 in his quota of 4 overs. With Ravichandran Ashwin captaining the Kings XI Punjab, we can expect the young Afghan to feature in the playing XI every time the Kings take on the field.

4) Mumbai Indians lose 3 in 3

Mumbai Indians had a disastrous start to their IPL campaign yet again

Rohit Sharma has lost 3 tosses in the IPL and it would also seem as though the Mumbai Indians have lost 3 matches on the trot. While it is obvious that batting second has been a huge advantage in this IPL so far, the Mumbai Indians would be disappointed at how their batting has fared in this tournament except for the last game where they lost despite scoring a near-200 total.

The 3-time IPL champions find themselves in a familiar situation and would be hoping they come out of this disastrous start yet again to have the best chance of making it to the playoffs.

3) KL Rahul’s record-breaking 50

Lokesh Rahul powered his way to a 14-ball 50

The most-expensive player for King XI Punjab at this year’s auction, Lokesh Rahul, immediately made a statement in IPL 2018. Chasing a below-par total of 166 against the Delhi Daredevils, Rahul raced away to a 14-ball 50 - the fastest in the history of IPL. On his way to a blistering 50, he smashed every Delhi bowler and particularly found a likening for Amit Mishra who went for 24 runs of his one over.

Rahul, who is not a preferred opener in India’s national team, has certainly made the selectors have a second look at him. With the clean striking that he has shown in this IPL, he is certainly a contender for the Orange cap.

2) Sunrisers Hyderabad’s maiden win at Eden Gardens

Sunrisers Hyderabad have won 3 out of 3

The Sunrisers Hyderabad came into the tournament on the back of a ban to their first-choice skipper, David Warner, due to the ball-tampering saga. They appointed the Kiwi star-batsman, Kane Williamson, as their new captain. But despite the change in guard, SRH has produced some incredible performances and sit on the top of the IPL points table with 3 wins in 3 games.

SRH’s third win was particularly special because it was their maiden win at the Eden Gardens in 6 attempts. The Williamson led side boasts of probably the best bowling line-up and that has been evident in the 3 games so far where they have managed to restrict the opposition to fewer than 150 in every game. With some improved batting performance, we can expect Sunrisers Hyderabad’s juggernaut to roll on heading into week 2 of IPL 2018.

1) Mayank Markande, the new find of IPL

Mayank Markande has picked 7 wickets in 3 IPL games

Over the years Mumbai Indians have handed a debut to some exciting youngsters who have gone on to make a big name for themselves. The opening game of this IPL was one such occasion when the 20-year old wrist-spinner from Punjab, Mayank Markande, grabbed his opportunity and produced a scintillating display of leg-spin bowling. He accounted for the dismissals of Ambati Rayudu and MS Dhoni with his sharp googlies and eventually ended up with figures of 3-23 in his 4 overs, capping off a memorable debut.

Markande has bagged another 4 wickets in his second IPL game and is the proud holder of the Purple cap heading into week 2 of IPL 2018. We can expect this young sensation to fox many more batsmen in the games to come!