Two contrasting tons, and a Bravo super-catch
The highlights of the week gone by in IPL 2015
ESPNcricinfo staff
11-May-2015
Dwayne Bravo suspends gravity for a second to catch Shane Watson in Chennai • BCCI
The best innings
There were two hundreds scored in the space of five days, both by Royal Challengers Bangalore batsmen. First Chris Gayle ransacked Kings XI Punjab for 12 sixes on his way to 117 off 57 deliveries at the Chinnaswamy Stadium. AB de Villiers went ahead against Mumbai Indians at Wankhede Stadium, making his highest T20 score of 133, off 59 balls. De Villiers' style was slightly different to Gayle's - he hit 19 fours.
Watch Chris Gayle's century against Kings XI (US only)
There were two hundreds scored in the space of five days, both by Royal Challengers Bangalore batsmen. First Chris Gayle ransacked Kings XI Punjab for 12 sixes on his way to 117 off 57 deliveries at the Chinnaswamy Stadium. AB de Villiers went ahead against Mumbai Indians at Wankhede Stadium, making his highest T20 score of 133, off 59 balls. De Villiers' style was slightly different to Gayle's - he hit 19 fours.
Watch Chris Gayle's century against Kings XI (US only)
The best ball
It pitched on a length around leg stump, then cut away to hit the off stump. David Warner's reaction said it all. He had wanted to push towards midwicket but was opened up completely. That it was bowled at a searing pace by Umesh Yadav left the batsman with no time to adjust.
Watch the delivery (US only)
It pitched on a length around leg stump, then cut away to hit the off stump. David Warner's reaction said it all. He had wanted to push towards midwicket but was opened up completely. That it was bowled at a searing pace by Umesh Yadav left the batsman with no time to adjust.
Watch the delivery (US only)
The goof-up
When it comes to handling post-match presentations, Ravi Shastri is a pro. So it was strange to see him forget handing out the Man-of-the-Match award in the Chennai Super Kings v Mumbai Indians match. The broadcast moved back to the studio after Shastri's customary, "That's all from the presentation area". Shastri, however, returned to complete his duties.
When it comes to handling post-match presentations, Ravi Shastri is a pro. So it was strange to see him forget handing out the Man-of-the-Match award in the Chennai Super Kings v Mumbai Indians match. The broadcast moved back to the studio after Shastri's customary, "That's all from the presentation area". Shastri, however, returned to complete his duties.
The commentary pearl
"That was a quicker slow ball." -Sunil Gavaskar on air.
"That was a quicker slow ball." -Sunil Gavaskar on air.
The drop
Virat Kohli was on 6 at Wankhede Stadium when Harbhajan Singh put down a sitter at slip. Kohli went on to make an unbeaten 82. He also put on 215 - the highest partnership ever in the IPL - with de Villiers.
Virat Kohli was on 6 at Wankhede Stadium when Harbhajan Singh put down a sitter at slip. Kohli went on to make an unbeaten 82. He also put on 215 - the highest partnership ever in the IPL - with de Villiers.
The best catch
When Shane Watson lofted Ravindra Jadeja towards the sightscreen in Chennai, he would have not expected Dwayne Bravo to come in between. Even Bravo, moving to his left from long-on, would not have expected to prevent the ball from sailing for six. But he jumped up a couple of feet anyway, stuck his right hand out and came down with the ball. He then ran towards long-off, eyes on the crowd, and pulled off his favourite celebration moves.
When Shane Watson lofted Ravindra Jadeja towards the sightscreen in Chennai, he would have not expected Dwayne Bravo to come in between. Even Bravo, moving to his left from long-on, would not have expected to prevent the ball from sailing for six. But he jumped up a couple of feet anyway, stuck his right hand out and came down with the ball. He then ran towards long-off, eyes on the crowd, and pulled off his favourite celebration moves.
The heartbreak
Mitchell McClenaghan, steaming in on a hot day in Mumbai, was left seething. A pull by Kohli off the second ball went through Lasith Malinga at long leg for four. Two balls later, McClenaghan drew Chris Gayle's top edge but saw his captain, Rohit Sharma, fluff the steepler. When Harbhajan dropped a sitter at slip off the next ball, McClenaghan swore and let out a cry of anguish.
Mitchell McClenaghan, steaming in on a hot day in Mumbai, was left seething. A pull by Kohli off the second ball went through Lasith Malinga at long leg for four. Two balls later, McClenaghan drew Chris Gayle's top edge but saw his captain, Rohit Sharma, fluff the steepler. When Harbhajan dropped a sitter at slip off the next ball, McClenaghan swore and let out a cry of anguish.
The unexpected hero
With 34 needed off the last 17 balls against Chennai Super Kings, Rohit Sharma signalled for Hardik Pandya to come in to bat instead of the big-hitting Harbhajan Singh. Pandya, who had been omnipresent in the field that day, carted three sixes in four balls in the penultimate over, effectively killing the chase. Not many would have heard his name before. But not anymore.
Watch Pandya's sixes (US only)
With 34 needed off the last 17 balls against Chennai Super Kings, Rohit Sharma signalled for Hardik Pandya to come in to bat instead of the big-hitting Harbhajan Singh. Pandya, who had been omnipresent in the field that day, carted three sixes in four balls in the penultimate over, effectively killing the chase. Not many would have heard his name before. But not anymore.
Watch Pandya's sixes (US only)
The moment of fortune
M Vijay has given away several starts this IPL but this one will probably rankle the most. Vijay was dropped as many as three times by Kolkata Knight Riders, but still made only 28. Gautam Gambhir put down a difficult chance at short extra cover, after which Brad Hogg and Umesh Yadav put down simple ones at square leg and short fine leg.
M Vijay has given away several starts this IPL but this one will probably rankle the most. Vijay was dropped as many as three times by Kolkata Knight Riders, but still made only 28. Gautam Gambhir put down a difficult chance at short extra cover, after which Brad Hogg and Umesh Yadav put down simple ones at square leg and short fine leg.
The number
138 - the margin of victory for Royal Challengers Bangalore over Kings XI Punjab at Chinnaswamy Stadium. It was Royal Challengers' biggest win in terms of runs and the second biggest ever in the IPL.
138 - the margin of victory for Royal Challengers Bangalore over Kings XI Punjab at Chinnaswamy Stadium. It was Royal Challengers' biggest win in terms of runs and the second biggest ever in the IPL.
Tweet of the week
Has anyone ever seen AB and superman in the same room? Didn't think so.
— Jimmy Neesham (@JimmyNeesh) May 10, 2015