The Indian Premier League (IPL 2014) has now passed the halfway point in terms of group matches played and it is King’s XI Punjab who remain top of the table following their record-breaking win over Chennai Super Kings on Wednesday and in spite of having their winning streak ended by Mumbai Indians on Saturday.
Perhaps the major talking point from the week three action was the hideous confrontation between Kieron Pollard and Mitchell Starc during Mumbai Indians win over Royal Challengers Bangalore on Tuesday. For those that didn’t see it, tension had been simmering for some time before it all exploded in just a single delivery. Pollard pulled away just as Starc was about to deliver the ball, provoking the Australian to bowl straight at him. Pollard hurled away his bat in disgust and words were exchanged. Pollard ultimately had the last laugh, catching Starc when it was his turn to bat as Mumbai won.
For their pains, both men were fined part of their match fees, with many fans left feeling that match bans should have been meted out. The IPL organisers, however, may just be pleased with the extra publicity the incident garnered, just as was the case when Marlon Samuels and Shane Warne clashed in the Big Bash League at the start of last year.
Player of the Week: Glenn Maxwell (King’s XI Punjab)
After taking all of the headlines in the opening week of the competition, it was again Glenn Maxwell who was the main man in week three. His remarkable six-laden innings in the King’s XI’s huge total of 231 for four helped his side wallop Chennai Super Kings. In all, he faced only 38 balls, hitting eight of them for six - taking a particular liking to R Ashwin - before he was finally dismissed for 90.
Innings of the Week: AB de Villiers (Royal Challengers Bangalore)
That Maxwell doesn’t also take this award is down to the sheer excellence of AB de Villiers’ knock that downed Sunrisers Hyderabad on Sunday. RCB looked to be losing the game at 59 for four and then 95 for five following Yuvraj Singh’s departure for 14. However, de Villiers shrugged off his relatively quiet tournament to date by smashing eight sixes to end on 89 off only 41 balls and give further weight to those who suggest he is currently the best batsmen in world cricket across all formats
Bowler of the Week: Bhuvneshwar Kumar (Sunrisers Hyderabad)
Again it is Indian bowlers who are leading the way in week three. Bhuvneshwar Kumar took four for 14 to help Sunrisers thrash Rajasthan Royals on Thursday, having already impressed with two for 16 in the defeat to RCB. Pravin Tambe (six wickets from three matches for Rajasthan Royals) and Mohit Sharma (six wickets from three matches for Chennai Super Kings) have also been impressive, as was leg-spinner Karn Sharma in taking three for 17 for Sunrisers against RCB.
Catch of the Week: Suryakumar Yadav (Kolkata Knight Riders) catching Shane Watson
There were again plenty of contenders following Chris Lynn’s stunner last week. Ben Dunk kicked things off with a low diving chance to claim David Miller and was then the victim of a tumbling catch by Wriddhiman Saha as Mumbai beat the league leaders. Rajat Bhatia and Murali Vijay both held on to difficult chances as the Royals beat Delhi Daredevils, but perhaps the most eye-catching moments came as Kolkata Knight Riders imploded, losing six wickets for two runs in what must surely be the match of the week, to lose to Rajasthan Royals. Ironically, both moments of brilliance came from KKR fielders. Suryakumar Yadav just about managed to keep his balance as he reached over the boundary rope to hold onto a chance proffered by Shane Watson. His was perhaps just better than that of team-mate Ryan ten Doeschate, who leapt backwards to cling onto Stuart Binny.
Delivery of the Week: Andre Russell (Kolkata Knight Riders) to Shane Watson
That a delivery that almost didn’t happen was so effective sums up the theatre and innovation that the IPL sometimes provides. Andre Russell looked as if he was about to pull out of delivering a ball in the 18th over to Rajasthan skipper Shane Watson - Watson certainly though so - but went through with it, leaving the batsman to stand aside helplessly as it passed by. Watson remonstrated with umpire Nigel Llong, but it was declared legal and so yet another unlikely variation, to go with the slower-ball-bouncer et al, was born.
Daniel Grummitt
He worked for CricketWorld.com for almost three years, leading their county and domestic cricket coverage and contributing to a book about the 2012 ICC World Twenty20, before joining the hugely ambitious World Cricket Badger early in 2014.
The first Test that he remembers watching was on Channel 4 - back before the ECB marginalised potential future fans by selling the TV rights to Sky Sports - when England beat Pakistan by an innings and nine runs at Lord’s.
Besides a passion for domestic cricket, he also has an unexplainable interest in all things Zimbabwe cricket!
Latest posts by Daniel Grummitt (see all)
- COUNTY ROUND-UP: Sussex take victory, Middlesex cling on - April 15, 2015
- COUNTY ROUND-UP: Wins for Yorkshire and Durham, while Willey stars for Northants - April 14, 2015
- COUNTY ROUND-UP: Collingwood showcases enduring class - April 13, 2015
