Top 10 moments of the IPL 2016

The IPL 2016 was filled with a plethora of moments. It is simply amazing that this edition has seen almost everything become much bigger and better. The batting was taken to another level by Virat Kohli, David Warner and AB de Villiers while the fielding also went up a few notches from the standard. In addition, it was good to see the resurgence of the traditional leg-spin get a reckoning in the recently concluded edition. That said, here are the top 10 best moments in the IPL 2016. 1. MS Dhoni still has it: MS Dhoni Rising Pune Supergiants. (Photo Source: BCCI) After the World T20 and a few games into the IPL, many questioned the finishing ability to MS Dhoni. The Indian skipper, for the limited overs format, has seen his magical touch fading over the past few years with his explosive batting becoming something of a rarity. However, things came to a standstill when the Supergiants faced off against the Kings XI Punjab at Vizag. Requiring 23 in the last over and 12 runs from the last two deliveries, MS Dhoni smashed Axar Patel for two sixes over the deep midwicket fence to bring up a win for his side. Also – Watch: MS Dhoni thwacks Patel for 23 in the last over 2. Virat Kohli’s gambit: Virat Kohli. (Photo Source: BCCI) Virat Kohli has been in superhuman form in the IPL 2016. Having amassed a mammoth 973 runs in the tournament, Kohli’s greatest moment with the bat came against the Kings XI Punjab at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium. Rain played its part in proceedings before drying up the night sky to make way for Virat Kohli. The latter smashed 113 off just 50 deliveries as the Kings had absolutely no answer to his onslaught. However, the specialty of that innings was the very fact that he played it with stitches in his right hand. The fact that he played such an innings in such excruciating pain made him a giant of a man. CricTracker’s team of the tournament – The Best XI of IPL 2016 3. Adam Zampa spins SRH out: Adam Zampa. (Photo Source: BCCI) The inaugural edition of the IPL for the Rising Pune Supergiants was something of a fizzle. Among the brightest moments of their season was Adam Zampa. While it was contemplated that leg-spinners don’t have much of a say in the shortest format, Zampa proved one and all the importance of leg-spin. The 24-year old Aussie spinner lit up the Vizag wicket with an audacious performance claiming 6 wickets for just 19 runs the second best bowling figures in IPL history. However, despite his heroics, the Sunrisers went on to clinch an important victory. Also check out – Top 10 Best bowling figures in IPL 4. Chris Morris lights up Feroz Shah Kotla: Chris Morris. (Photo Source: BCCI) Chris Morris has now become the light and shining armor of South African cricket. He was the best all-rounder of the tournament by a country mile. Apart from his memorable performances, Morris left his lasting impression on the IPL. Against the Gujarat Lions, the Daredevils were destined for defeat. However, the Lions hadn’t accounted for the big hitting of Chris Morris. The 29-year old blasted a ridonkulous 82 off 32 balls as the Daredevils came to within a solitary run of victory. 5. Axar Patel dances with the stars: Axar Patel. (Photo Source: BCCI) The Gujarat Lions may have finished on the top of the table. However, among their losses was a shock defeat at the hands of the Kings XI Punjab at Rajkot. It will also be remembered for the only hat-trick of the tournament as Axar Patel picked up his first hat-trick in T20 cricket. having posted a total of 154 in their 20 overs, Patel removed Dinesh Karthik, DwayneBravo, and Ravindra Jadeja in consecutive deliveries as the Kings picked up an impressive 22-run win. 6. Dhawal Kulkarni runs riot: Dhawal Kulkarni. (Photo Source: BCCI) 27-year old Dhawal Kulkarni is a fringe player for the Indian cricket team. However, he became a full-time addition to the list following his impressive outing against the Royal Challengers Bangalore in the 1st Qualifier at Bengaluru. Bowling on a deck that historically doesn’t support seamers, Kulkarni somehow extracted swing to stun the hosts. He removed Virat Kohli, Chris Gayle and KL Rahul in his first spell before returning in the second spell to dismiss Stuart Binny. It seemed as though he had the ball on a string that day despite being on the losing side. Also check out – IPL 2016: Top 5 bowlers of the tournament 7. Watson and Wiese ‘Twist and shout’: (Photo Source: BCCI) Shane Watson and David Wiese have been rather quiet this edition of the IPL as opposed to making the ripples and waves they are so used to doing. However, they will be remembered for one thing, which was the dismissal of Shreyas Iyer when the Daredevils came visiting. In spite of losing the match, Watson and Wiese completed the catch that no one expected them to complete at the long-on boundary. Also – Watch: Shane Watson and David Wiese pull-off stunning catch 8. Sunrisers’ Hyderabad champion-dance into the night: Sunrisers Hyderabad. (Photo Source: BCCI) The Sunrisers Hyderabad were crowned IPL champions for the first time in their history as they claimed an 8-run win over the Royal Challengers Bangalore on enemy territory. The win itself had a lot to do with the fact that they had their backs to the wall in the early stages of the tournament. In addition, the fact that Ashish Nehra was out injured and Barinder Sran stepped up to the plate was yet another attestation that the future of Indian cricket is most certainly in good hands. A special moment for one and all associated with the Sunrisers Hyderabad. 9. Popeye runs into superman: Yuzvendra Chahal. (Photo Source: BCCI) Yuzvendra Chahal became Popeye without the spinach when Matthew Hayden handed him the Purple cap. As the Gujarat Lions looked set for victory, AB de Villiers made his undying mark on the game. He blasted 79 in quick time as the Challengers cruised to a win in the dying stages of the playoff. While that was a memorable moment in itself, Chahal led the exodus onto the field of play to greet AB de Villiers following their unexpected win. As Chahal pile-driver straight into de Villiers, the latter’s helmet came off along with a piece of skin from his chin. AB had a bruise for a few days, but he sure wouldn’t have minded it too much. 10. Shivil Kaushik’s chat with mid-wicket Shivil Kaushik. (Photo Source: BCCI) In cricket, there are bowlers who bowl the long spells and there are bowlers who get you wickets. In the case of young Shivil Kaushik, he was picked for one reason. His action. Many had suggested earlier that the players with the weird action get the most wickets in the IPL. Although that isn’t necessarily the case with Kaushik, he sure has a memorable action. His action has been a massive part of social media for the most part with cartoons and memes doing the rounds. Stats and records – IPL 2016 in numbers

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Top 10 moments of the IPL 2016

7. Watson and Wiese ‘Twist and shout’:

Also – Watch: Shane Watson and David Wiese pull-off stunning catch

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