KL Rahul becomes second fastest to 5000 T20 runs and Pooran’s duck tale continues

Another match, another team struggles to get adjusted to the slow pace at the MA Chidambaram Stadium. Punjab Kings, who were playing their first match in Chennai, registered yet another low. Their total of 106 against Chennai Super Kings is already the lowest of the tournament and in today’s match they set the lowest total of this season at Chepauk. Though it was a low total, Sunrisers Hyderabad had to earn for their runs. In the end, without any hiccups, they won by nine wickets and finally they broke their barren streak at Chepauk.

KL Rahul becomes the second fastest to 5000 T20 runs

One of the most consistent players in the IPL, KL Rahul has registered few quickies in this IPL. First, he became the second quickest to score 2000 runs for a team in IPL and then he was the quickest to 2000 runs as a wicket-keeper in IPL. Prior to today’s game against Hyderabad, Rahul was stuck on 4999 T20 runs. With a single of the first ball, he reached the landmark in 143 innings, the second quickest in terms of innings. Chris Gayle had achieved 5000 T20 runs in 132 innings.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar scalps number 50 in Powerplay

Deemed as one of the best powerplay bowlers, Bhuvneshwar Kumar is known for his swing in the early phases. 36 percent of his IPL wickets have come in the first six overs. When he bagged KL Rahul in the fourth over of the innings, he achieved a significant milestone. He joined Sandee Sharma (53) and Zaheer Khan (52) as bowlers to pick up 50+ wickets in this phase in IPL.  

A saga of ducks

In one of our Criclytics ``Man vs Machine” episodes, Brian Lara had mentioned Nicholas Pooran as one of the players to watch out for this IPL. He is certainly a dynamic player, but, the Trinidadian hasn’t found that mojo. In the four innings Pooran has played this season, he has three ducks. To worsen it, Pooran’s all three ducks have a pattern like no other. He has been dismissed to a zero ball duck (diamond duck), a first ball duck (golden duck) and a second balls duck (silver duck). He is only the second player to suffer this fate in the same season. Shane Warne also had a pattern like this in 2009.

A wicket-maiden on debut

It was a long wait for the likes of Fabian Allen in the IPL. He was a part of the Hyderabad set up in 2020. However, he didn’t get a single game. Picked up by Punjab this season, on a slow pitch like Chennai, his debut was on the cards. In his second over itself he showed as to why he is a player to watch out for. He broke the 73-run opening partnership in the 11th over and to his glory, he delivered a wicket-maiden. He was the fifth bowler in IPL to achieve this feat in IPL. His fellow West Indian, Alzarri Joseph was the last to feature this record.

Jonny Bairstow as slow as a snail

It is certainly uncanny to see Bairstow batting for 40+ balls and still not reaching a half-century. But, in today’s game against Punjab, that hasn’t cost them. In fact, his innings was the anchor hold that helped them chase a tricky target. Bairstow reached his half-century of 48 balls, his slowest ever T20 half-century. Previously, against Delhi Capitals in the 2020 edition of IPL, he had reached the landmark in 44 balls, the slowest then.