IPL: Harbhajan Singh's top 3 knocks

#2 64 off 24 balls vs Kings XI Punjab – IPL 2015

This knock came during the 8th edition of the Indian Premier League (2015) in the match played between Mumbai Indians and Kings XI Punjab at Wankhede Stadium. Put into bat first, Kings XI got off to a rollicking start thanks to quick-fire 30s from Virender Sehwag and Murali Vijay before both got out to Harbhajan Singh. However, George Bailey (61 runs off 32 balls) propelled Kings XI Punjab to a solid score of 177/5 in their allocated 20 overs.

In reply, Mumbai Indians got off to a disastrous start, losing Rohit Sharma off the 2nd ball of the innings. Mumbai never recovered and lost wickets at regular intervals. By the end of 14 overs, Mumbai were 60/6, needing 118 runs in 6 overs at nearly 20 runs per over.

What followed was some breath-taking hitting by Harbhajan. He first smashed Rishi Dhawan for 4 fours in the 15th over and then followed it up with 2 gigantic sixes and a boundary against the fiery Mitchell Johnson in the 16th over.

In the 17th over, he smashed the medium pacer Anureet Singh for 3 massive sixes off 3 consecutive deliveries towards the leg side boundary, mostly targeting deep mid-wicket. He quickly raced away to 40 off 14 balls.

In the 18th over, he smashed the rookie Dhawan for a humongous six over the long-on boundary. He brought up his 50 in style by slicing a fuller delivery towards the point region. He reached his maiden IPL fifty in just 19 balls and thus broke the record for fastest 50 by a Mumbai Indians player.

With 30 needed off the last over, Harbhajan hit a four and a six on the 2nd and 3rd ball of the over. With 19 to get off 3 balls, Harbhajan couldn’t connect with the 4th ball and was subsequently dismissed.

He was congratulated by the Kings XI Punjab team members and the entire Wankhede Stadium stood up and applauded his swashbuckling knock.

Kings XI Punjab won the game by 18 runs but this match will be remembered for Harbhajan’s heroics with the bat.