When the concept of the IPL was brought up back in 2007, there were many traditionalists who refused to believe it would ever take place. Indeed, a host of naysayers turned their noses up and dismissed the idea of an Indian Premier League ever being sustainable. Well, here we are in 2021 with the IPL not having missed a season since its inception in 2008. Furthermore, it is probably the most anticipated cricket event on the calendar every year as it captures the imagination of millions.
Here, we look back at some of the most incredible moments the IPL has given us over the last 13 years. From the sublime to the unthinkable and the humorous to the heartwarming, the IPL has provided us with everything. And when we say everything, we mean it.
Adam Gilchrist’s Golden Arm
Adam Gilchrist built his reputation on bullying bowlers with the bat and keeping the highest of standards behind the stumps. Indeed, the Australian was one of the finest wicketkeepers in the world as well as being one of the most exciting batsmen the game has ever seen. But in 2013, ‘Gilly’ ensured that he could do it all during an IPL fixture against the Mumbai Indians. Playing for and captaining the Kings XI Punjab, Gilchrist had all but guided his team to victory with Mumbai needing 51 runs from the final over.
With an impossible target out of reach, Gilchrist decided to bring himself on to bowl and took a wicket with his first ball as Harbhajan Singh holed out to long-on. The crowd erupted and with it being 2013, Gilchrist began to do the ‘Gangnam Style’ dance as an adoring stadium cheered him on. A fun night.
Adam Gilchrist bowled for the first time in his last match at the IPL for Kings XI Punjab and he took a wicket of that ball. <ahref=”https://t.co/lkImeGqbcA”>pic.twitter.com/lkImeGqbcA
— RVCJ Media (@RVCJ_FB) December 17, 2016
Anil Kumble weaves his magic
Anil Kumble was one of India’s finest ever spinners and terrorized batsmen over the 90s and early 2000s. Kumble – who bowled a brisk leg-spin – was remembered for his tireless work in the Test arena, but it was in 2009 when he produced one of the greatest ever spells in the IPL. Setting just 133 for Rajasthan Royals to chase, Kumble was tasked with ensuring that his side, the Royal Challengers Bangalore, were able to defend the modest target. The 39-year-old duly obliged.
Kumble would rip through the middle to low order on his way to claiming a five-wicket haul for the expense of just five runs, as Rajasthan were bowled out for a pitiful 58. It was vintage Kumble and by far the deadliest spell the IPL had seen.
Chris Lynn Bends Over backwards
From wizardry with the ball to witchcraft in the field, it’s time to talk about Chris Lynn and his catch in 2015 during a match between the Kolkata Knight Riders and Royal Challengers Bangalore. Needing just six runs off the last three balls to win the game, Vinay Kumar ran into bowl against the genius AB de Villiers. The Proteas batsman is one of the most destructive in the world and he looked to have sent Kumar over the boundary for six to give his team the win.
Indeed, de Villiers rocked back into his crease and smashed Kumar over deep mid-wicket. Lynn, fielding on the boundary, lost his balance and slipped which seemed to signal the end of KKK’s chances of winning. Not so fast, the quick-thinking Australian managed to regain his balance, and with the ball going over his head, he arched his back to take to catch the ball behind him, before stopping his body from making contact with the rope.
Chris Lynn took a phenomenal catch earlier in IPL 7—where does it place in the top 20? http://t.co/NqVGSIoPjT pic.twitter.com/BlsseXVcsl
— B/R Football (@brfootball) May 2, 2014
It was superhuman and enough to stifle RCB’s quest for silverware yet again. Indeed, despite having the biggest names in world cricket playing for them, RCB have never been able to win the IPL and have subsequently earned the rather unfortunate nickname of ‘underachievers.’
Hope springs eternal though and the 2021 season may bring about a change of winds for RCB who, despite many failed attempts to claim silverware, are still one of the outright favourites. Seasoned IPL punters will no doubt make up their own minds when assessing the chances of all the teams, but there is help at hand for anyone looking for every cricket tip for the upcoming season. Indeed, a dedicated page to the IPL will simplify things for anyone who is unsure. After all, sometimes it’s easier to cast your eye over the guides that the experts come up with given the time that they put into predictions in order to make them truly worthwhile.
The Universal Boss blasts 175
Chris Gayle is without a doubt the undisputed T20 legend of the Indian Premier League. When the man that they call the ‘Universal Boss’ is in the mood, no boundary in the world is big enough and people in the surrounding suburbs best put their hard hats on when he begins to launch. For the greatest ever IPL innings, we have to go back to the Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru during a game in 2013 between Pune Warriors and Gayle’s Royal Challengers Bangalore.
175 runs
17 sixes
in 30 balls#OnThisDay in 2013 for @RCBTweets, Chris Gayle smashed the fastest-ever T20 hundred, the highest score in T20 history, and broke the record for most sixes in a T20 innings.That’s why they call him the Universe Boss! pic.twitter.com/YNB58FqUTH
— ICC (@ICC) April 23, 2019
Gayle had sized up the pitch before the carnage that was to follow and even said to his teammates that this pitch was a ‘belter.’ He could have been understating it.
The big West Indian would go on the rampage like never before whilst smashing an incredible 175 off 66 balls. Gayle’s knock included 17 sixes and 13 fours and helped RCB set a mammoth 263. It was one of those ‘where were you moments’ for cricket lovers around the world.
To say the IPL has been an incredible success would be an understatement of unforgivable proportions. The IPL has given cricket lovers a host of sensational memories to cherish and remains firmly in the heart of fans around the globe.