11 unforgettable moments in IPL 2015

As the song goes, “Yeh hai India ka Tyohar.” The Indian Premier League (IPL) is not just a cricket tournament; it’s a festival and along with quality cricket it’s also about the emotions. The recently concluded eighth edition of the tournament saw a lot of passionate and radiant moments. Abhishek Kumar lists down 11 such unforgettable moments.

1.  Gautam Gambhir’s bat breaks in halves

Bats these days are broader and better, which has made cricket a batsman’s game. Bats breaking into halves is not a common sight in cricket but the IPL opener saw this happening to Kolkata Knight Riders skipper Gautam Gambhir. You expect the pace of Mitchell Starc or Mitchell Johnson to the honour went to the gentle medium pace of Mumbai Indians’ (MI) Vinay Kumar.

Gambhir came dancing down the track to play an ambitious drive in the first ball of the second over. The ball made contact with bat and broke it into halves. However, Gambhir went on to play a knock of 57 and helped his side win the game.

2.  The relay catch by Tim Southee and Karun Nair

IPL has tested fielders’ limit and the tournament has only raised the bar in this discipline. Cricket is about team work but how often do we see fielders partnering to effect a dismissal. Rajasthan Royals’ Tim Southee and Karun Nair teamed up to complete an impeccable catch at the boundary.

Kings XI Punjab’s (KXIP) skipper George Bailey thought that he had struck it perfect but Southee showed exceptional skills to stop the ball from going for six and passed it to Nair, who too showed great presence of mind and reflexes to complete a stunning catch.

3.  Harbhajan’s hurricane inspires Mumbai Indians

MI were staring a humiliating defeat in the hands of KXIP at Wankhede Stadium. Chasing 178, MI were 59 for six in 14 overs when Harbhajan Singh came out to bat. The off-spinner struck a fifty from 19-balls and went on to score 64 from 24 deliveries and go MI back in the game. MI, who looked will be bowled out under hundred, fell only 18-runs short of a victory. The win may not have come but it certainly spoke volumes of MI’s resilient spirit.

4.  Keiron Pollard tapes his mouth after getting warned by the umpire

Kieron Pollard cannot be kept out of action. In the match between MI and RCB at Bangalore, Chris Gayle was struggling to negate Lasith Malinga. Pollard, decided to play with his national teammate Gayle’s mind and gave a piece of his mind to the latter. The on-field umpire Richard Illingworth, who felt that the exchange was unnecessary, warned Pollard for his act. Unhappy after being reprimanded, the Trinidadian taped his mouth. This act caught attention of the cricketing world and was criticised.

5.  Ashish Nehra picks up four against RCB, blows goodbye kiss to Rilee Rossouw

Indian veteran bowler Ashish Nehra was exceptional throughout the tournament. Against RCB, in their first encounter at Bangalore, Nehra picked up 4 for 10. The 36-year-old enjoyed all his wickets but Rilee Rossouw’s in particular. He cleaned up the South African left-hander with an incoming delivery and celebrated the wicket by blowing a farewell kiss to the batsman.

6.  Virat Kohli greets 17-year-old Sarfaraz Khan with a ‘namaste’ but the latter scored an unbeaten 45 from 21 balls

IPL’s youngest cricketer Sarfaraz Khan showed glimpses of his potential against RR when RCB, who had their back against the walls, staged a good comeback.  The 17-year old boy from Mumbai scored 45 not out from 21 balls to take RCB to a good total and at the same time he drew comparisons with Sachin Tendulkar and Javed Miandad. Even his skipper Virat Kohli couldn’t stop himself from bowing down and acknowledging his entertaining knock.

7.  Chris Gayle celebrates like Cristiano Ronaldo after scoring his century

Chris Gayle is the best Twenty20 batsman ever and once again KXIP bowlers fell victim to his brute. Gayle, who wasn’t in a great nick early on in the tournament, struck form with an innings of 117 from 57-balls. The moment he got to his hundred, he celebrated it in a unique way replicating his favourite footballer Cristiano Ronaldo.

8.  AB de Villiers lights up Wankhede Stadium with a mesmerising ton

Royal Challengers Bangalore’s (RCB) AB de Villiers played one of the most incredible knock of Twenty20 (T20) cricket to help his side prevail over the strong Mumbai Indians (MI) at their den – Wankhede Stadium. The South African scored an unbeaten 133 from 58 balls and was well supported by his skipper Virat Kohli as the duo added 215 runs for the second wicket. AB took calculated risks in a flawless knock that contained 19 fours and four sixes. This was the highest individual score in this competition.

9.  ‘Samitabh’ cheer for Mumbai Indians

Bollywood superstar Amitabh Bachchan watched an IPL encounter live from the ground for the first time when he visited Wankhede Stadium to watch MI take on KKR. Bachchan was interviewed along with Sachin Tendulkar by Sunil Gavaskar. It was indeed a memorable moment for the fans when two of India’s biggest icons were caught in one frame speaking to another legend and confessing their support for the Mumbai side.

10.  David Warner’s over excitement costs Sunrisers Hyderabad, a crucial the match

It was a rain curtailed affair and chasing 81 from six overs, RCB started well. They needed 12 from the last four balls with Kohli on strike. The RCB skipper played two gorgeous strokes through off side to bring it down to four from two balls. Kohli then hit one straight over the top off the penultimate ball. Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) skipper David Warner patrolling the long-off region judges the ball well and completes the catch. He started celebrating, but as he back peddles he steps on the rope. It’s a six and RCB wins. Kohli goes insane with his celebrations and it was indeed one of the most memorable sights in IPL this year.    

11.  Faf du Plessis’ effects a freak run out in the IPL final

This was perhaps CSK’s only rejoicing moment in the final. It was the fifth ball of the first over of the match, MI opener Parthiv Patel in bid for a desperate single took chance after playing a stroke towards Faf du Plessis. The South African at mid-wicket charged in, dived and flicked the ball towards stumps off balance. The ball lobbed on to the bails and Parthiv was caught short of the crease. It was another stellar effort by the super athletic South African.

(Abhishek Kumar is a cricket devotee currently staffing with Criclife.com. He can be followed at abhicricket.kumar)