The third week of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2020 has somehow managed to gain the much-needed momentum for the tournament with double-headers. While Mumbai Indians (MI) and Delhi Capitals (DC) leading the point table, only Kings XI Punjab (KXIP) has managed to win just a single match.
Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) have finally managed to get back the momentum. The riveting action did not fail in providing great action and we witnessed the incredible moments from the IPL.
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As an amalgamation of some of the best batting, bowling, and fielding efforts, let us have a look at five of the best moments of the first week of IPL 2020. (P.S – It was difficult to choose just five).
#1 MS Dhoni (KKR vs CSK)
After Narine’s dismissal in the game between KKR and CSK, none of the KKR batsmen managed to stay in the middle as only Rahul Tripathi who scored 81. From 98/3 in 11 overs, KKR came down to 162/7 by the end of the 19th over. They lost three wickets in the last over and credit for two of them goes to the brilliance of MS Dhoni. One was his flying catch to send back Kamlesh Nagarkoti off DJ Bravo and the last ball he effected a brilliant run-out as well.
Here is the video of the catch:
Here is the video of the run-out:
#2 Virat Kohli (RCB vs DC)
In June, the International Cricket Council (ICC) had announced a temporary ban on applying saliva in order to control the spread of the coronavirus pandemic. Virat Kohli, nonetheless, forgot the rule for a moment as the incident took place on the third ball of the third over bowled by Navdeep Saini. Prithvi Shaw’s cracking drive was stopped by the RCB skipper at the short cover and he was then seen putting his finger on his tongue.
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But before touching the ball, Kohli realized the mistake he was about to commit and barred himself from doing so. The batting superstar was perhaps amused by his quick thinking as he broke into laughter before passing the ball to his teammate. Batting legend Sachin Tendulkar also saw the incident and he was quick to react to it. He immediately took to Twitter to praise one of Prithvi Shaw’s shots before saying that Virat Kohli’s reaction was a ‘million dollar reaction’.
What an incredible shot by @PrithviShaw there!
A million dollar reaction by @imVkohli after almost applying saliva on the ball.
Sometimes instincts takeover!😋
RCBvDC #IPL2020
— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) October 5, 2020
#3 Kieron Pollard (MI vs RR)
Jos Buttler kept the hopes for the Royals but he was also perished in the 14th over of James Pattinson. A lot of credit for the dismissal goes to the incredible cath by Kieron Pollard, although he made things difficult for himself to be honest. Buttler just managed to get under the full-length delivery and tried to launch this over long-on, but hand to take on the tallest fielder in the opposition as Pollard ran towards the ball and got a hand, but the ball bounced out in the first attempt – and yet, he was quick enough to grab it in the second attempt.
Here is the video of the dismissal:
#4 R Ashwin (RCB vs DC)
During the high-profile game between RCB and DC, R Ashwin was seen giving a warning to the RCB opener, Aaron Finch for getting too far out of his crease as the Indian spinner was bowling in the second innings.
Ashwin had received a lot of flak when he ran Jos Buttler out in a similar fashion in the last season of the IPL. Moreover, after sealing his move to Delhi Capitals, coach Ricky Ponting had said that he would speak to Ashwin about running the non-striker out, termed as Mankading after former India all-rounder Vinoo Mankad. If anyone was worried that the decision would come back to haunt the Delhi Capitals (DC), Finch was dismissed in the next over as Axar Patel had him caught behind.
Here is the video of the incident:
#5 Ravindra Jadeja (RCB vs DC)
fter scoring 17 off 9 balls, dismissal, on the final delivery of the 11th over, Karn Sharma delivered a loopier delivery and Narine went for a big one but perished after the fielding brilliance of Ravindra Jadeja. He took an absolute blinder at deep mid-wicket, diving parallel to the ground to his right and just when he was about to skid onto the boundary triangles, tossed the ball to Faf (running from long-on) to complete the catch.
Here is the video of the dismissal:
