IPL 2023: Top 5 all round performances from third week

The third week of the ongoing IPL saw some high-scoring games at the start and then some par totals in the second half. But no match was any short of a thriller. Some of the games were either won in the last over or on the last ball.

The week saw players hold onto their nerves to come out of precarious situations. Throughout the third week, we saw some brilliant individual performances batting-wise and bowling-wise and such performances were instrumental for their sides.

While many argue that the 'Impact Player' rule almost nullifies the all-rounder's existence in the game, the performances from several all-rounders in the third week reminded us that there is no alternative to good all-round performers.

They were, they are and they will be important members of a squad. They always provide an edge over any specialist to feature in any playing XI. They can not only stay in contention in the race to bag the IPL 2023 Orange Cap but can also compete for the IPL 2023 Purple Cap.

As we have come to the end of the third week. It's time to look back at some brilliant all-round performances that unfolded in the third week. The list mostly features foreign players, Axar Patel is the only exception. Let's go through them one by one:

5. Glenn Maxwell 1/28 & 76(36) vs Chennai Super Kings

Glenn Maxwell played his heart out against Chennai Super Kings at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium but ended on the losing side. In a match where sixes were being hit for fun, he conceded 'just' two sixes in the first two overs that he bowled. 

Then came the last over drama where Harshal bowled two full tosses above the waist, hence Maxwell decided to finish the over himself. Jadeja smashed him for a six off the free-hit ball but got out to him eventually. Then he kept Dhoni and Moeen quiet for the rest of the over. 

Chasing a mammoth total of 227 Maxwell found himself in the middle, in the third over itself. From there on he drove the match in sixth gear. He spared no one, starting from young rookies like Akash, Matheesha to experienced bowlers like Theekshana, and Jadeja. 

Faf complemented him pretty well. But unfortunately, when things were going in favour for them; Maxwell skied one high and the cool MS Dhoni came underneath and caught it. 

After getting rid of the 'Big Show' CSK managed to keep Bangalore at bay by 8 runs in the end. If he had stayed a little longer, who knows the match might have finished an over earlier.