STATS HIGHLIGHTS
Follow UsIt was a double header Tuesday and three teams out of the four were competing for a spot in the top four. Both were low scoring encounters. First, Kolkata Knight Riders edged past the Delhi Capitals by three wickets in an afternoon clash at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium. In the second, Mumbai Indians saw the better of Punjab Kings in yet another low scoring match in Abu Dhabi
The boys in Purple and Gold were powered by an all-around performance by their spin wizard, Sunil Narine, to get vital two points and consolidate their place on number four in the points table. After electing to bowl first, Narine's 2/18 in four overs led the charge for Kolkata. They were equally supported by a couple of wickets from Venkatesh Iyer (2/29) and Lockie Ferguson (2/10) in the middle overs. A collective effort from the Kolkata bowlers helped them in restricting Delhi to a moderate total of 127/9.
In reply, despite a 28-run steady opening partnership between Venkatesh and Shubman Gill, the Knight Riders lost wickets in clusters during middle overs. After reeling at 96/5, Narine’s cameo 10-ball 21 runs cameo brought Kolkata back into the game. Nitish Rana stayed till the end and made sure Kolkata parried over the ropes.
In the second encounter, Rohit Sharma led Mumbai needed a win badly and their bowlers justified his decision of bowling first by restricting Punjab to 135/6. For a change it was not Jasprit Bumrah or Rahul Chahar or Trent Boult, it was Kieron Pollard with the ball that changed the dynamics of the game with a twin strike in the only over he bowled. Aiden Markram tried his best with a 29-ball 42, but that wasn’t enough.
In reply, the skipper Rohit was dismissed cheaply and Suryakumar Yadav suffered a golden duck. However, the Mumbai middle order that had been in jeopardy, came together tonight to fetch Mumbai a win. Saurabh Tiwary contributed with a 37-ball 42 and Hardik Pandya, finally was amongst runs with an unbeaten 30-ball 40. Mumbai chased the target with an over remaining. Here are some noteworthy stats from both, Match 41 and Match 42:
Contrasting tales at Sharjah
The wickets at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium have been one of the talking points in this edition of the Indian Premier League. In the first three matches of IPL 2020, the wicket was conducive for stroke play and on an average 217 runs were scored in six innings, with all six witnessing 200+ totals. The short boundaries on offer also saw teams making full-toes off and smashed 90 sixes across six innings with a six hit every eight balls. However, owing to the sluggish nature, run-scoring this year across six innings has been a significant issue. Only 136 runs have been scored on average across the six innings this season. Despite the unchanged boundary dimensions, the venue has seen six every 26 balls. A stark difference from 2020 to 2021.
Drought of maximums
For the time in the history of the IPL at Sharjah, an innings was completed without a six in it as the Delhi Capitals failed to score one. Despite the size of the ground comparatively smaller than the other venues in the United Arab Emirates, the conditions on offer prevent free-flowing stroke play and Delhi’s innings was a classic example. Though there are big hitters like Shreyas Iyer, Rishabh and Shimron Hetmyer in their batting outfit, none of them managed to account for one.
Skipper leading from the front
One of the most destructive players in the modern era, Rishabh has been a standout performer for the Delhi (Delhi Capitals) over the past few years. The 23-year old is currently at the helm of affairs for the team in this edition of the league. With 311 runs in 11 league matches, Pant has been a vital cog in the middle order for the team. En-route to this knock off 39, he surpassed Virender Sehwag's tally of 2382 runs to become the leading run-scorer for the Delhi (Delhi Capitals).
Pant breaches 3k mark as wicket-keeper
Rishabh achieved yet another milestone during this clash against Kolkata as he notched up 3000 runs as a wicket-keeper in the shortest format of the game. The southpaw achieved this feat in 101 innings and is the joint second-fastest along with Mohammad Shahzad. Quinton de Kock leads the table after notching up the 3000-run mark in 97 innings, four quicker than Rishabh.
Narine’s 11th man of the match
Being an integral part of the Kolkata franchise since his debut in 2012, the mystery spinner has been the most successful bowler for them in IPL. He is one among the five players to represent all their 100+ matches in a single franchise. With bat sometimes and ball most the times, he has been a match winner for Kolkata and in today’s match he bagged his 11th Player of the match award. He is now levelled with Andre Russell for most man of the match awards among Kolkata players.
Krunal Joins Pollard in an elite all-rounders list
Along with his brother Hardik Pandya, Krunal Pandya has also been one of the key performers for Mumbai in IPL. In fact, he has been more impactful as an all-rounder for the franchise. In his matches against Punjab, he picked up his 50th wicket and became the second Mumbai all-rounder to score 1000+ runs and bag 50+ wickets. Kieron Pollard is the other. Overall in the IPL, he is the eighth player to achieve this feat.
Mumbai’s number three and four, a big worry
One of their biggest strengths in Mumbai’s title winning campaign of the IPL 2020, was their number three and number four were in red hot form. In 15 innings, the number three and four batsmen had scored at an average of 39.9. Whereas, this year that batting position has been the biggest let off. In 11 innings, their number three and four batsmen cumulatively have scored at an average of 18.7, their lowest in a season of IPL.
Pollard’s obsession with the three multiples
The big West Indian is one of the all-time greats in T20s. 10000+ runs, 300+ wickets and 300+ catches, that speaks the volume of his massive achievement. The 300th wicket was bagged in the match against Punjab when he dismissed Rahul. He is now the only player in T20s to have scored 3000+ runs, pick up 300+ wickets and take 300+ catches.
