IPL, week one
Crazy hair, new faces and much colour
IPL 2011 got off to a typically dramatic start with an elaborate opening ceremony in Chennai, April 8, 2011•AFP
Lasith Malinga justified Mumbai Indians' decision to hang on to him during the teams' reshuffle, rocking Delhi Daredevils with figures of 5 for 13, Delhi, April 10, 2011•AFP
One man was definitely excited about the IPL: Delhi Daredevils' Naman Ojha was literally jumping up and down with his appeals, Rajasthan Royals v Delhi Daredevils, Jaipur, April 12, 2011•Associated Press
The IPL is about international team-mates clashing, right? Suresh Raina and Dinesh Karthik demonstrate, Mohali, April 13, 2011•AFP
Daniel Vettori had lots to ponder as his Bangalore side couldn't buy a win in the early stages, Deccan Chargers v Royal Challengers Bangalore, IPL 2011, Hyderabad, April 14, 2011•AFP
… but try it against Lasith Malinga at your own peril, Mumbai Indians v Kochi Tuskers Kerala, IPL 2011, Mumbai, April 15, 2011•Associated Press
A dejected Virat Kohli walked off as Chepauk celebrated with fireworks, his dismissal having brought Chennai Super Kings closer to a win, Chennai, April 16, 2011•AFP
The tournament had a thrilling start on the field as well, with a gripping opening game in which Chennai Super Kings beat Kolkata Knight Riders by two runs, Chennai, April 8, 2011•AFP
Yuvraj Singh found himself in a tricky position, leading Pune Warriors against his old team Kings XI Punjab, Mumbai, April 10, 2011•AFP
Who said the IPL was meant only for young men or big international stars? Sachin Tendulkar and Ambati Rayudu combined in a 110-run stand to propel their side to a nine-wicket win against Royal Challengers Bangalore, Bangalore, April 12, 2011•AFP
Captain cool MS Dhoni showed he was human, dropping a catch as Chennai lost to Punjab, Mohali, April 13, 2011•AFP
The jinx was finally broken. Deccan won a match in Hyderabad, after a quickfire 61 from former Bangalore player Bharat Chipli, Deccan Chargers v Royal Challengers Bangalore, Hyderabad, April 14, 2011•AFP
Kieron Pollard may not have caught the ball with this spectacular attempt, but he did catch the opposition camp's attention, Mumbai Indians v Kochi Tuskers Kerala, IPL 2011, Mumbai, April 15, 2011•Associated Press
Jesse Ryder watched the ball sail over the ropes several times on his way to a 24-ball fifty, Pune Warriors v Delhi Daredevils, Mumbai, April 17, 2011•AFP
Shane Warne proved he still had magic in his wrist, taking two wickets in his first three balls, Rajasthan Royals v Delhi Daredevils, Jaipur, April 12, 2011•AFP
Paul Valthaty announced himself to the world with a century in Mohali. By the time he won another Man-of-the-Match award in Hyderabad, his profile page on ESPNcricinfo had 621,733 page views in a week, Kings XI Punjab v Chennai Super Kings, Mohali, April 13, 2011•AFP
Crazy hair equals Lasith Malinga you say? Sreesanth begged to differ, as he sported a new hairdo to match his very-orange uniform, Pune Warriors v Kochi Tuskers Kerala, Mumbai, April 13, 2011•Associated Press
Yes, we agree with Brendon McCullum, innovation is what Twenty20 is all about …•AFP
Mayank Agarwal held on to one on a day when Royal Challengers Bangalore came down with a serious case of butter fingers, playing against Chennai Super Kings, Chennai, April 16, 2011•AFP
L Balaji castled Shane Watson with the ball of the tournament till date, Kolkata Knight Riders v Rajasthan Royals, Kolkata, April 17, 2011•AFP