IPL 2016: Top 10 moments of week 1

The much anticipated ninth edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL 9) began with the Mumbai Indians falling into the trap set by the Rising Pune Supergiants. There have been many talking points and takeaways from the first week of IPL 2016. While the league has witnessed a new team of female anchors takes center stage, it has also seen the return of commentators Ravi Shastri, Laxman Sivaramakrishnan, Isa Guha and most importantly, Danny Morrison. However, as the changes in the current season have come in, we take a look at the top 10 moments on the pitch in the first week of the IPL. 1. Chris Gayle’s predicament: Bengaluru: Chris Gayle of Royal Challengers Bangalore reacts after getting dismissed during an IPL match between Sunrisers Hyderabad and Royal Challengers Bangalore at M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, on April 12, 2016. (Photo Source: IANS) Chris Gayle is a favorite in Bangalore. Whether he is playing for the West Indies or for the Royal Challengers, crowds flock to the M Chinnaswamy Stadium just to get a glimpse of the big Jamaican. However, this season, the ‘Gayle storm’ has not arrived as yet. Moreover, Gayle has had single-digit scores in his last five T20 innings. What is worse, he has two ducks to his name in the two innings he has played in the IPL. With the gate-takings taking a major hit, hopes are pinned on the 36-year old to pull the crowds back to the stands of Bangalore. 2. Is it a bird? Is it a plane? It’s Guptill: (Photo Source: Twitter) These exact same words ran across the Twitter timeline of Harbhajan Singh. With Lendl Simmons having to take the flight back home, Kiwi batsman Martin Guptill boarded the flight to join up with Rohit Sharma and co. It was a bit of a surprise that Guptill wasn’t snapped up by any of the franchises in the auction. Having been named as the ODI and T20 player of the year by the New Zealand Cricket board earlier this year, Guptill has finally got his ‘IPL moment’. Whether he makes the most of it remains to be seen. However, as far as many are concerned, no one strikes the cricket ball as well as Martin Guptill. 3. The fantastic Mr. Finch: Mumbai: Gujarat Lions batsman Aaron Finch in action during an IPL match between Mumbai Indians and Gujarat Lions at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on April 16, 2016. (Photo Source: Sandeep Mahankal/IANS) Some baffling tactics from the Aussies in the World T20 saw Aaron Finch concede his no.1 spot in the T20 rankings. However, the 29-year old has shown that he is more than willing to take on Virat Kohli in a head-on battle. He was snapped up in the auction by the Gujarat Lions and has been instrumental in their current unbeaten run. Three wins out of three for the Lions is certainly impressive. Three half-centuries in those wins from Aaron Finch is nothing short of godlike. With Finch playing the way he is, it is difficult not to assume that the Lions may go all the way. 4. New franchises, new anchors and, new season: (Photo Source: BCCI) IPL 2016 has seen a number of novel things come to the fore. First, it was the arrival of the new franchises – the Rising Pune Supergiants and the Gujarat Lions. While many were skeptical on how they would perform, the Lions are unbeaten and the Supergiants have been more than impressive. Second was the new female anchors for the ‘Extraaa innings’ show. While the official ratings and feedback on their performance remains to be seen, they have certainly been a breath of fresh air as far as the glamor quotient is concerned. 5. The Kohli-de Villiers show: (Photo Source: BCCI) With the likes of Chris Gayle misfiring, the onus of scoring the big totals fell on the shoulders of Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers. The duo came together in the first match of the IPL wherein they scythed through the frugal SRH bowling attack. They added 157 for the second wicket partnership. That is a feat par excellence. A few days later, the duo stitched yet another partnership worth 107. This time around, it was in a losing cause against the Delhi Daredevils. The way these two are playing, it will be extremely difficult to dislodge them. 6. Quinton de Kock’s Sourav Ganguly moment: Bengaluru: Quinton de Kock of Delhi Daredevils celebrates his century during an IPL match between Royal Challengers Bangalore and Delhi Daredevils at M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, on April 17, 2016. (Photo Source: IANS) Sourav Ganguly was he ‘off-side man’ in world cricket. Bowl to him outside the off-stump and he would take you to the cleaners. However, since his retirement, there was little or no competition for his title. Enter Quinton de Kock. The Southpaw stands a few inches above five and a half feet. Virat Kohli had seven guys on the off-side. Seven, including himself and some of the world’s best fielders. Aravind charged in and cramped de Kock for room. The result? De Kock pierced the gap and found the fence. Not once, not twice, but 15 times during his knock of 108. 7. Mustafizur is the real deal: Hyderabad: Sunrisers Hyderabad players celebrate fall of a wicket during an IPL match between Sunrisers Hyderabad and Kolkata Knight Riders at Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad on April 16, 2016. (Photo Source: IANS) After impressing most with his bowling in international cricket Mustafizur Rahman was picked up by the bowling-heavy Sunrisers Hyderabad during the auction. And the way Mustafizur has made the ball do the talking wearing the sweats of the Sunrisers Hyderabad is something special. The batsmen are yet to pick his slower ball. Moreover, with Ashish Nehra missing from the side for a substantial phase of the league, Mustafizur is quite willing to take up the role of the strike bowler for his team. 8. Rohit Sharma’s Eden love affair: Rohit Sharma punches the air as Mumbai Indians beat Kolkata Knight Riders in their second match at the Eden Gardens. (Photo Source: BCCI) Rohit Sharma loves the Eden Gardens. And the way he has played at the venue, it seemingly loves him back. Sharma is a class act and by far the best batsman in the Mumbai Indians lineup. A score in excess of 180 hadn’t been chased at the Eden before. But, Rohit Sharma was ready. Ready to make the history. His unbeaten 84 told a distinct story about him. He once again displayed the ability to play a match-winning knock at the time of adversity. That was perhaps the moment of the IPL thus far. 9. Nehra pulls up short: (Photo Source: BCCI) 36-year old Ashish Nehra had been given a new lease of life. His career had been clouded in injuries. However, the Indian management, in their infinite wisdom brought him back. Perhaps for one last ride. Nehra’s aging body was held together by pain-killers, injury rubs and most importantly, will power. When Ashish Nehra ran in to bowl his second over against the Challengers, he pulled up short with what looked like a groin problem. With Nehra’s massive injury list, he will find it really difficult to keep up with the workload even if he just sticks to T20s. 10. Parvez Rasool impresses: (Photo Source: BCCI) 27-year old Parvez Rasool’s cricketing story has a bit of romance to it. Coming from the most challenging part of the country Rasool rise has been impressive and astounding. Determination is the name of the game as far as Rasool is concerned. He was traded to the Royal Challengers and was immediately thrust into the action. His first ball in the RCB shirt knocked over Shikhar Dhawan’s off stump. And that for many kick-started the IPL for the Royal Challengers Bangalore. Review of week one of the IPL – IPL 2016 Weekly Roundup: Week 1

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IPL 2016: Top 10 moments of week 1

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