Bizarre is commonplace in the 12th edition of the Indian Premier League. The season has had its share of astounding cricketing moments and controversy, generously sprinkled with an ounce of the unusual.
Here are at least eight of such events which kept the fans busy on social media through the last few weeks.
1. The Super over that wasn't
While the MI-SRH affair witnessed a rare occurrence of a team (SRH) getting 'all out' inside a Super Over. According to the rules of the tournament, each side nominates three batsmen to face the super over, which means the loss of two wickets effectively ends the Super Over. The previous Super Over of IPL 2019 between Delhi Capitals and Kolkata Knight Riders had seen the brilliant bowling of South African pacer Kagiso Rabada.
Hit and miss | While Manish Pandey managed to tie scores for the Sunrisers Hyderabad, he couldn't help his team to a competitive score in the super over against the Mumbai Indians. (The Hindu)
2. Out of luck
Another match could have gone to Super Over, but ended on a sour note. Umpire S. Ravi could not spot pacer Lasith Malinga's no ball on the last ball of the match between MI and RCB and the Virat Kohli-led side – needing seven off the last delivery – missed out on an opportunity to stretch it to the tie-breaker.
This TV grab of the last ball of the RCB innings shows Mumbai Indians bowler Lasith Malinga overstepping the crease indicating a no-ball the umpires didn't call on time, costing RCB the match. Courtesy: Hotstar
3. The curious case of the missing ball
Umpire errors don't end there, albeit this one's a harmless one. Shamshuddin's antics in the match between Royal Challengers Bangalore and Kings XI Punjab gave AB De Villiers and everyone watching the match a good chuckle. When the game resumed after the strategic break, KXIP bowler Ankit Rajpoot and skipper R. Ashwin wore confused looks on their faces. No one could find the ball and the fourth umpire sprinted to the middle with a new box of balls. TV replays though pitched in with a moment that left everyone in splits.
4. Double-trouble
David Warner (100 not out) and Jonny Bairstow (114) achieved an amazing feat when they scored centuries for Sunrisers Hyderabad against RCB in Hyderabad. RCB's Kohli (109) and AB de Villiers (129 not out) was the first pair to achieve it against Gujarat Lions at Rajkot in 2016.
Sunrisers Hyderabad cricketers David Warner and Jonny Bairstow have been a force to reckon with this season. (AFP)
5. Blinding high beam
RCB speedster Mohammed Siraj's dubious distinction of bowling two beamers in a match proved too costly. Siraj was not allowed to bowl after his second beamer and Marcus Stonis, who completed the unfinished over, was taken to task by Andre Russell as KKR chased down 206 from an extremely difficult situation.
Mohammed Siraj has had a forgettable season, with the ball and out on the field. (Sportzpics)
6. When rules aren't the ideal thing
A fielding gaffe, of keeping a fielder short inside the circle, punished Kings XI Punjab at the Eden Gardens. Mohammed Shami yorked KKR danger man Russell but the umpire signalled a no-ball because of the violation of fielding restriction. The Caribbean grabbed the chance to outsmart KXIP.
Kings XI Punjab skipper Ravichandran Ashwin has had quite the tryst with the IPL rule books this season. (The Hindu)
7. When IPL re-introduced everyone to Mankading
KXIP skipper R. Ashwin 'Mankading' RR's in-form batsman Jos Buttler was a widely-debated episode of this IPL. It not only thwarted RR's run-chase but also triggered a worldwide discussion over the spirit of the game.
8. Shikhar Dhawan taunts Ashwin
Delhi Capitals opener Shikhar Dhawan was unfazed by Kings XI Punjab's bowling, particularly the Mankading incident and Ashwin. He made his emotions about it (or the lack of them) very evident in Delhi's home game against KXIP. We know now that Dhawan's brilliant footwork goes beyond the 22 yards.
9. Roar of the lion
Chennai Super Kings captain M.S. Dhoni's unprecedented entry into the ground had to be the most talked about event. Royals' Ben Stokes bowled a full toss to Mitchell Santner in the last over of the match and both umpires had contrasting views over the call of no-ball (whether it was above the waist). With CSK needing six runs off two balls, Dhoni, known as 'Captain Cool,' lost his composure and stunned all by entering the ground and arguing with the umpires over the decision.
Chennai Super Kings skipper MS Dhoni uncharacteristically walked out into the middle to dispute a no-ball that wasn't given in a game against Rajasthan Royals.
9. When the bails bailed on us all
This IPL saw some deliveries that would have seen batsman making the long walk back to the pavilion but didn't have to, thanks to the bails not falling off. KKR's Chris Lynn got an inside edge off Rajasthan's Dhawal Kulkarni that richocheted on to the stumps and raced to the fence. However, the bails didn't fall and Lynn survived. CSK's M.S.Dhoni also benefitted similarly when a delivery from Rajasthan's Joffra Archer rolled on to the stumps but refused to dislodge the bails. In another game, Dhoni got a direct hit with K.L. Rahul out of the crease, but the bails just didn't come off the groove.
10. Husha Busha – We All Fall Down
One can understand CSK's Ravindra Jadeja losing his balance trying to hit that ball for a maximum. Why Rajasthan Royals bowler Ben Stokes fell, with his eyes fixed on that delivery, is beyond us all. What a last over and what a photo-worthy moment!
11. Pant proposes, Virat disposes
Royal Challengers Bangalore skipper Virat Kohli animated response to a Rishabh Pant appeal is one for the archives. Delhi Capitals seamer Ishant Sharma and wicketkeeper Pant began celebrating after a thick outside edge off Kohli's bat was caught by a diving Pant. Kohli stood his ground, laughing off the appeal. The on-field umpire gave it not out and reviewed. Delhi's joy was short-lived with the replays showing Pant grabbing the ball on the bounce.
