IPL 2020: 5 best knocks from Week 1 | 19th-25th September

We have seen 7 games take place in the 13th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL 2020), and the world's greatest T20 franchise tournament has largely delivered on its promise of action and entertainment.

IPL 2020 is already turning out to be one of the most tightly contested editions in history, and only two teams - the Rajasthan Royals and the Kings XI Punjab - are still undefeated.

We've seen some splendid knocks in these 7 games, and here are 5 of the best from Week 1 of IPL 2020.

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#5 Rohit Sharma: 80 off 54 vs KKR | IPL 2020 Match 5

Rohit Sharma played an array of cuts and pulls against KKR [PC: iplt20.com]

After announcing that he would open the batting in IPL 2020, Rohit Sharma showed signs of form against CSK in the season opener before being dismissed cheaply.

Against KKR in his second game, however, the MI skipper took apart Pat Cummins and co. to notch up 80 runs off just 54 balls, which was an innings studded with 3 fours and 6 sixes. Cutting and pulling with abandon, Rohit's innings ensured that his side coasted to a 49-run win.

The Indian white-ball vice-captain seems set to have a prolific season in IPL 2020.

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#4 Ambati Rayudu: 71 off 48 vs MI | IPL 2020 Match 1

Rayudu put his former franchise to the sword [PC: iplt20.com]

Coming into IPL 2020 without much match practice, Ambati Rayudu showed no signs of rust against his former franchise MI in the season opener. In a chase of 163, the CSK No. 4 stepped up in the absence of Suresh Raina to finish with 71 off 48 balls, hitting 6 fours and 3 sixes in his innings.

Although Rayudu was dismissed with 4 overs to go, Faf du Plessis and Sam Curran ensured that CSK crossed the finish line with 4 balls and 5 wickets to spare. Unfortunately, the Hyderabad batsman suffered a hamstring niggle that ruled him out of the games against RR and DC, but he is expected to be back for CSK's next fixture against SRH.

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#3 Marcus Stoinis: 53 off 21 vs KXIP | IPL 2020 Match 2

Stoinis was the Man of the Match for his all-round show [PC: iplt20.com]

Marcus Stoinis probably won't get to open the innings like he did with great success in the Big Bash League, but he dazzled lower down the order against KXIP.

The Australian scored 53 runs off just 21 balls to take his team to a fighting total of 157/8, which was one they would go on to defend, albeit via a Super Over. Chris Jordan bore the brunt of his assault as the Englishman finished with figures of 0/56 in his 4 overs.

Stoinis also bowled three consecutive dots when KXIP needed just 1 run to win to take the game to the aforementioned Super Over, and was rightfully awarded the Man of the Match.

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#2 Sanju Samson: 74 off 32 vs CSK | IPL 2020 Match 4

Sanju Samson picked CSK apart [PC: iplt20.com]

CSK came into the game against RR high on confidence after a win over MI in the IPL 2020 season opener, but they were blown away by Sanju Samson's 74 off 32 balls, which was an innings featuring just 1 four and 9 sixes.

The Kerala batsman took a particular liking to CSK spinners Piyush Chawla and Ravindra Jadeja, but got out with almost 9 overs to spare. RR managed an excellent total of 216/7, with the Men in Yellow eventually falling short by 16 runs despite a late assault by Faf du Plessis.

Samson was adjudged the Man of the Match in his first match of IPL 2020.

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#1 KL Rahul: 132* off 69 vs RCB | IPL 2020 Match 6

KL Rahul broke numerous records on his way to an unbeaten 132 [PC: iplt20.com]

Undoubtedly the best innings in IPL 2020 so far, KL Rahul pulverised his former team RCB to register a record-breaking unbeaten 132 off just 69 balls, which is the highest score by a captain in history and also the highest-ever score by an Indian.

The KXIP skipper was aided by his opposition captain Virat Kohli's drops, but a masterclass in accelerating at the death meant that he took 80 runs off the last 5 overs of the innings. RCB were never in the chase of 207, and fell to a humiliating 97-run defeat.

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