With the start of the second phase of IPL 21, the action is resumed. We can see a lot of explosive moments that caught our eyes. That is what IPL is all about – showcasing the best-of-the-best talents under one roof.
Compared to some of the biggest sporting events, the IPL is going on in full swing yet again in UAE. Just a few matches have been played but we’ve already begun to witness some of the best moments in IPL 21.
Firstly, let us have a look at the key performers from Match 32 where Rajasthan Royals scripted an extraordinary win against the Punjab Kings through some of the greatest death-bowling bowled in the IPL 21 season so far.
Match 32: The fearless start from the Royals
Like we have mentioned clearly in our previously published analysis piece, RR and their struggles so far, that who would fit into Buttler’s shoes of maintaining a 35 plus average including a strike rate of 150 plus, but fortunately for the RRs, the absence of Buttler was not felt during the last encounter.
It was a necessity for the Royals’ batting line-up to rely on the top order on someone alongside Sanju Samson who was looking great during the first phase. The responsibility is seen to be born by the newly added Evin Lewis alongside the young Yashasvi Jaiswal.
Explosively starting to bat, both the batsmen started hitting beautifully around the ground and made it to 50 runs during the fifth over. It was a pleasure to watch both aggressively batting against some great bowling attacks.
Followed by the aggressive batting from L Livingstone and Lomror, it can be said that RRs batsmen took the responsibility on their shoulders to deliver the best quality of cricket. A wholesome target of 185 was set for the Punjab Kings in 20 overs at a run rate of 9.25.
Jaiswal just missing on his first half-century at 49 showed his class in his strokes played against some quality spells. The most remarkable moment was the quick explosive 43 which came from the bat of Mahipal Lomror in just 17 balls- the allrounder from Rajasthan. With an exceptional strike rate of 252.94 from Lomror along with Livingstone’s considerable 25 runs from 17 balls should also be considered among the key performance for the royals.
The Kings fight back but fail
The luck was in complete favour for both Punjab’s opener until the dismissal of Rahul during the 12th over. With a stunning partnership of 120 by the two leading scorers of IPL 21, Punjab kings were seen to be in a comfortable position.
Just missing his half-century and going back to the pavilion at 49, Mayank Agarwal carried on with the show until he got out at 67 with a strike rate of 155.81- the highest for that day for the Kings.
Both Aiden Markram and Nicholas Pooran played beautifully throughout the innings but got shaken towards the game and it was like the podium which was set towards victory and then left by Rahul during the 12th over with just 66 required to win along with 9 wickets remaining went all in vain.
The young bowler from Punjab Kings, Arshdeep Singh, stole the show during the match by taking five wickets during the first innings. He bowled exceptionally well for the side- we can say that looking at the visuals above it can be seen that Singh was bowling close to the stumps, pretty straight along with delivering yorkers. Taking five wickets is always special at the IPL- one of the key performers for the side.
Md. Shami on the other hand showed his class especially towards the end of the first innings. Bowling superbly those death overs, otherwise, RR would have surpassed 200. Shami bowled for four overs giving away only 21 runs and taking three wickets with an economy of 5.25. He also bowled 13 dots in his spell of quality bowling which is the highest among all. Therefore, one of the key performers for the side.
Tyagi’s triumph
The young Kartik Tyagi from RR changed the course of the match through some of the finest death-over bowling. It is very rare when we witness such exceptional moments in cricket, where we see how victory can be snatched from someone’s fortune by the smallest of margins.
Tyagi bowled 12 dot balls in his four overs of spell conceding only 29 runs and also taking two wickets. His last over was remarkable and will be encouraged by every cricket lover for the rest of the season.
It is seen from the visuals above that how Tyagi bowled his last over. He tried to bowl Yorkers and succeeded by delivering 3 dot balls (red dots) and taking 2 wickets (white dots) and thus restricting the Kings and changing the whole course of the match – one of the prime performers for the day while all other bowlers failed.
This performance and experience will surely help the youngster to perform at such a level during pressure moments in cricket during his future endeavours.
Now, let us have a look at the key performers from the 33rd match of IPL 21: DC vs SRH.
A shaky start by the Sunrisers
Winning the toss and choosing to bat first, the orange army lost their first wicket against the leaderboard toppers during the third ball of the start of their innings. Noone from the Sunrisers’ could score above 20 with the bat except the two- Abdul Samad & Rashid Khan.
Samad scoring 28 runs from 21 balls with a strike rate of 133 was a crucial role played by the player.
Somehow they managed to put a score of 134/9 on the board.
It was Rashid Khan with the bat and bowl for SRH today and he’s been performing since the start of the season with his admirable economic bowling. It’s always a challenge for the batsmen to play him.
Considering stats for this particular match and also since the start of IPL 21, he is seen to be economic and consistent of all the SRHs bowlers in terms of conceding runs and picking wickets.
DC #1 for a reason this season
The Capitals’ bowling showcased some classy spells of bowling. Consisting of some of the fastest bowlers currently in the world, it was a pleasure to watch the collective effort which could be seen from the bowlers from Delhi.
It was their effort that restricted the SRH below 140. The Bowlers who especially shined for the capitals are- Anrich Nortje, Kagiso Rabadda & Axar Patel each taking two or three wickets.
Avesh Khan has also bowled decently well by completing his quota of 4 overs with an economy of 6.75 but without getting any wickets.
Nortje was exceptional with the bowl – bowling four overs and conceding only 12 runs with an economy of 3 is very much appreciable for the pacer.
Followed by the crucial wickets taken by Kagiso Rabadda. The left-arm spinner Axar Patel seemed to be troubling the batsmen too.
With the bat for the Delhi Capitals, it was Shikhar Dhawan, Shreyas Iyer, and Rishabh Pant who does the job- therefore the key performers and finishing the game by acquiring the target with 13 balls remaining. Both Iyer and Pant remained unbeaten until the end and displaying the highest level of skills with the bat.
Delhi capital’s collective effort by the top batsmen and bowlers make them a better side considering the stats for the particular match and also throughout this season.