5 Surprising Moments of the Indian Premier League

The Indian Premier League (IPL) is a cricketing event loved by millions all over the word. Fans have come to expect fast paced action featuring explosive power hitting and cunning bowling displays. With all the mayhem that goes on and off the field during the tournament, there are still some moments which leave the fans amused and confused.

In the last decade or so of the IPL, we have narrowed down five unexpected events that have taken place that will leave your head scratching.

5. Zaheer Khan Comes to Bat at No.3

In the 11^th match of IPL 2011, Deccan Chargers were sent to bat first against the Royal Challengers Bangalore.  In the allotted 20 overs, the Chargers were able to post a respectable total of 175. They were able to achieve that total thanks to Bharat Chipli who scored 61 runs off just 35 deliveries.

If it were not for Zaheer Khan, the total would have no doubt been much higher. RCB captain Daniel Vettori sensing something special in Zaheer Khan’s performance that day decided to do the unthinkable and sent Khan to bat when the first wicket fell for RCB.

Unfortunately, Khan was unable to perform any miracles and lasted only 3 deliveries before being bowled out by Dale Steyn. Vettori’s tactic had failed and Khan came back to the dug out without scoring a single run.

4. Royal Challengers Bangalore All Out for 49

Making a second appearance on the list, RCB were up against the might of the Kolkata Knight Riders. Facing them in Eden Gardens, the task of defeating KKR would be difficult to say the least yet pundits believed that the star studded line up of the RCB were more than up for the challenge.

RCB’s bowling attack was in menacing form as they reduced KKR to 132 runs, a below par score for the ground. KKR fans were surely staring down the jaws of defeat but once the match started their dread turned into jubilation.

RCB were unable to fend off the KKR bowling attack and the wickets began to tumble, one after the other. Even the RCB skipper failed to register anything on the scoreboard and left the field with an embarrassing duck.

With no batsman reaching double digits, RCB were eventually bowled out for just 49 runs in 9.3 overs. The Knight Riders were able to win the match by a massive 82 runs.

3. Mumbai Indian’s on Fire

The stage was IPL 7 and two competitive sides in the form of Mumbai Indians and Rajasthan Royals met in the last round robin match of the tournament. A win for the Royals would see them advance into the next stage. The task was far more difficult for Mumbai Indians who needed obliterate their opponent for the lack of better word to be in with a chance to quality.

Rajasthan Royals lost the toss and were put into bat by the Indians. The decision to bat first suited the Royals as they ended up with a mammoth score of 189 runs. Sanju Samson scored 74 off just 47 balls while Karun Nair chipped in with a 27 ball 50. According to the maths, Mumbai Indians were required to chase the target inside 14.4 overs to qualify to the next stage.

Out walked Corey Anderson with a sledgehammer that seemed to pulverise the Royals’ bowling attack. Anderson scored 95 runs off 44 balls to give the Indians a glimmer of hope. With wickets falling regularly, Mumbai Indians found themselves requiring four runs off the next ball to qualify.

Aditya Tare seemed unfazed by the requirement and hit a magnificent six over fine leg to help Mumbai Indians advance to next round leaving Royals’ fan in a state of shock.

2. Rohit Sharma Shows Off His Bowling Skills

Mention the name Rohit Sharma and you are more than likely to get words such as ‘Best Batsman’ thrown back at you. However, have you ever seen Sharma bowling let alone on the grandest T20 stage of them all?

Fans were in for a treat when the Mumbai Indians faced the Deccan Chargers on the 6^th of May ,2009. Mumbai Indians had set a target of 145 for the Chargers and were well in control of the match. Fans were expecting yet another victory for the Indians. Deccan Chargers skipper, Adam Gilchrist had other plans. Gilchrist in a bizarre move decided to give an over to Rohit Sharma.

Things started off as expected but by the team the fifth delivery was bowled, Sharma had picked up the wicket of Abhishek Nayar. On his next delivery, Sharma was able to deceive Harbhajan Singh as well to give Sharma a chance of securing a hat-trick.

When it finally came to another Sharma over, the crowd went wild and Sharma did not disappoint. On his first delivery, found the edge of the in-form JP Duminy to give him a hat-trick. Rohit Sharma the bowler, finished with figures of 4 wickets for just 6 runs in 2 overs to help the Chargers win the game by 19 runs.

1. Gilchrist Takes Off His Gloves

The most surprising moment of the IPL comes courtesy of Adam Gilchrist yet once again. Facing the Mumbai Indians in a dead rubber match at the HPCA ground in Dharamsala, the Indians were set a target of 183 runs by the Kings XI Punjab.

Mumbai Indians had already secured a place in the playoffs and were under no pressure to win this match. For Kings XI Punjab, it was all about going out on a high and Gilchrist made sure of that. With just the last over to go and playing this last competitive match, Gilchrist decided to swap his wicket keeping gloves to bowl the last over.

The wicket keeping duties were handed over to Praveen Kumar as Gilchrist geared up to bowl to Harbhajan Singh. Bowling his version of off spin, Gilchrist was able to bamboozle his fellow opponent who tried to hit him for a six, only to miscue the shot. The ball landed safely into the hands of Gurkeerat and Gilchrist unable to contain his joy decided to break out into the Gangnam Style routine. Some of his team mates joined in on the fun to celebrate the Aussie’s first ever wicket.

A sight to behold, this will forever be itched into our brain as the most surprising moment of the IPL so far.