IPL 2018, Week 3 - Best XI of the Week

The third week of the ongoing edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) continued to keep the audiences engaged with some exciting brand of cricket. The first two weeks saw very closely fought contests in the season and the third week only extended the run of such thrilling finishes. The recently concluded week of the tournament saw the first five wicket haul been taken. It was Ankit Rajpoot from the Kings XI Punjab lineup who achieved the distinction.

Much to his disappointment, his efforts came in the losing cause. This, in itself, shows the brand of cricket that has been played in the last week. Despite such brilliant performances, the teams have faltered and fallen short of registering wins. Also, the recent week saw some serious changes in the points table. As the tournament is approaching the business end of the tournament, the fight for the final four slot is getting intense.

In the previous weeks, the languishing sides of the points table – Rajasthan Royals and the Delhi Daredevils – got back to winning ways. Furthermore, low totals like 118 and 132 were successfully defended in the week. All in all, it was an exciting week of cricket with some brilliant individual performances.

Here is the Best XI from the third week of IPL 2018:

Ambati Rayudu – Chennai Super Kings

Ambati Rayudu had an excellent outing with the bat in the week. The veteran campaigner brought all his experience to good use to win two key matches for his side. In the match against the Sunrisers Hyderabad, Ambati Rayudu was asked to bat in the middle order. He obliged and hit a brilliant 79 off just 37 balls with 9 fours and 4 sixes to his name.

He was unfortunate to have been run out in the game. In the game against the Royal Challengers Bangalore, Rayudu was asked to open the innings. Yet again, he obliged and ended up with a brilliant match winning 82 to his name in just 53 balls. His partnership with MS Dhoni sealed the fate of the game for the Men in Yellow.