IPL 2018: Top 5 knocks of week 1 (April 7-13) of IPL XI

Filled with many boundaries and numerous parcels to the moon, these innings were thoroughly entertaining for everyone except the opponents and their fans. Let us have a look at the top 5 knocks of the first week of IPL 11:

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#5 Dwayne Bravo 68(30) v Mumbai Indians

Dwayne Bravo en route to his 68(30)

We are only one week into the 11th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL), and we have already witnessed some magical knocks. While the veterans have once again found their foothold in this battleground, some youngsters have also decided to grab a share of the coveted limelight.

The opening encounter of IPL 11 was turning out to be a one-sided affair when the Caribbean superstar Dwayne Bravo decided to turn things around. Chasing a target of 166 put up by defending champions Mumbai Indians, Chennai were once struggling at 75/5, when Bravo announced his arrival.

With required run rate soaring to 12 runs per over and no recognized batter except Bravo left to bat, a win looked like a far-fetched dream. But the 'champion' got his grooves right and started to smash the ball out of the park. He scored 68 runs from just 30 balls to get CSK to a great position, By the time he got out, CSK were in the driver's seat, and an injured Kedar Jadhav finished the game for them. Bravo's innings was filled with 3 boundaries and 7 sixes.

#4 Sunil Narine 50(19) v Royal Challengers Bangalore

Sunil Narine on his way to his half-century against RCB

He did it last year and he has done it again. Sunil Narine is the perhaps the only cricketer one will find both in the Top 5 spells and Top 5 knocks lists of the first week of IPL 11. He surely loves Royal Challengers Bangalore, as he once again smashed a quick-fire 50 against Virat Kohli's men. Chasing a big target of 177, KKR lost their most precious asset in Chris Lynn in the very second over. They needed someone to take charge, and the West Indian obliged.

Narine registered his half-century in just 18 deliveries, and by the time he was out, KKR were already in the driver's seat. He hit 4 boundaries and 5 sixes in that innings which both RCB and KKR fans will remember for a long time.

#3 Sam Billings 56(23) v Kolkata Knights Riders

Sam Billings in action during his match-winning knock of 56(23)

Till now, the mentions in the list were expected, but this name might surprise many. The English batsman Sam Billings turned out to be an unlikely hero for Chennai Super Kings in a high-scoring encounter against Kolkata Knight Riders. Billings was bought by CSK for just Rs 1 crore and was expected to add some depth to the squad.

Chasing a target of 203, CSK were struggling after Suresh Raina's dismissal, as skipper MS Dhoni was finding it tough to get things going. This was when Billings came to the rescue and played a superb knock to take CSK over the line. His knock of 56 runs in 23 balls was filled a couple of boundaries and 5 massive hits, some of which might have broken the glasses of cars in the parking lot outside the stadium.

#2 Andre Russell 88(36) v Chennai Super Kings

Andre Russell in the match against CSK

Skip this slide KKR fans, because this mention will surely hurt many. Despite scoring 88 runs from just 36 balls, Russell's team ended up on the losing side, and this is the only innings amongst the five mentioned here which was played in a losing cause.

Batting first, KKR was once struggling at 89-5 when Dre Russ made it clear that his batting ability hasn't increased a bit. He was making a comeback into the IPL after a one year gap, and many question marks were raised about his current form. But he shut down everyone with a blitzkrieg. From a situation where 160 looked bleak, Russell took KKR to 202 single-handedly. For a fact, Russell hit only one boundary in this innings but smashed as many as 11 sixes. If only KKR had better quality bowlers, this innings would have got its due respect.

#1 KL Rahul 51(16) v Delhi Daredevils

KL Rahul after scoring his half-century v DD

Amongst the plethora of powerful men with the bat who have dominated this circuit for over a decade, KL Rahul holds the record of hitting the fastest IPL fifty. Silencing all his trolls who mocked Kings XI Punjab for paying Rs 11 crores for Rahul, the Karnataka-born cricketer played a superb inning of 51 runs from just 16 balls at a strike rate of over 300.

Chasing a target of 167 against Delhi Daredevils, Rahul decided to offer blows from the very first ball. He hit six boundaries and 4 sixes, which put his name ahead of the Sunil Narines and Yusuf Pathans in the list of fastest IPL fifty. He played a good knock in his last game against RCB as well and seems to be in a great form.