Could 2023 be the year of the underdog, where the renowned Galacticos face an implosion? While it’s early to make definitive claims, certain observations can be made.
The IPL runs for two months, resembling a marathon rather than a short sprint. Yet, early performance indicators have raised eyebrows, particularly with the new Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Delhi Capitals, who both secured two victories. In contrast, the Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings have struggled, losing two out of their respective games.
Meanwhile, Punjab Kings are experiencing a revitalized atmosphere under new coach Ricky Ponting, driven by a blend of Australian players and staff. Conversely, the Rajasthan Royals began poorly but managed a thrilling win against CSK on Sunday night.
Last season’s runners-up, Sunrisers Hyderabad, continue with their aggressive batting style, though it has resulted in two losses despite one significant victory.
Neil Manthorp reviews Week Two of the IPL.
Match Highlight: The Lucknow Super Giants posted a challenging score of 209-8 and initially had the Delhi Capitals reeling at 65-5 and 113-6. Despite the odds, Delhi’s exceptional resilience saw them recover to 211-9, clinching a win by a single wicket with three balls remaining.
Top Batter: The historically underperforming Punjab Kings invested a record sum of over $3 million to recruit Shreyas Iyer, who also took on the captaincy. His impressive innings of 97 runs off just 42 balls (including 5 fours and 9 sixes) helped secure an 11-run victory against the Gujarat Titans.
Top Bowler: It’s often said that wickets win matches, but a combination of wickets and dot balls can be even more potent. While bowlers with four or five-wicket hauls attract attention, a bowler delivering a dozen dot balls can similarly influence the outcome. Prasidh Krishna (4-0-18-2) and Varun Chakravarthy (4-0-17-2) earned accolades for quietly contributing to their teams’ victories over MI and Rajasthan Royals.
Peak Performance: Ashutosh Sharma’s surprising unbeaten score of 66 from 31 balls (5 fours, 5 sixes) exemplified calmness under pressure and determination against the impossible. He maintained control of the strike during a pivotal moment, guiding Delhi to a stunning one-wicket victory against LSG.
Noteworthy Moment: Mumbai Indians’ captain Hardik Pandya’s performance raised questions. Unaware of the requirement of nearly 13 runs per over, he scored only 11 runs off 17 balls. By the time he was out, MI needed 73 from just three overs, ultimately finishing at 160-6 and losing by 36 runs.
Star Overseas Player: With little notice, 37-year-old Moeen Ali stepped in for KKR’s star spinner Sunil Narine, taking 2-23 in a straightforward 8-wicket victory over Rajasthan Royals. Yet, the standout performance came from Mitchell Starc, who delivered an impressive 5-35 for Delhi against Sunrisers.
Star Indian Player: Shardul Thakur, overlooked in the mega-auction and signing with Essex, quickly transitioned into play for LSG due to an injury. He delivered 4-34 against Sunrisers, contributing to a five-wicket win, complemented by solid performances from Mitchell Marsh and Nicholas Pooran.
Star South African: Quinton de Kock’s unbeaten 97 from 61 balls led KKR to a confident victory against the Royals. Meanwhile, Faf du Plessis also had a notable outing, scoring 50 runs off 27 balls for Delhi.
Discussion Point: What is MS Dhoni’s role at this stage? The legendary finisher seems to be taking a backseat, batting at No. 9 for CSK while contributing with sharp stumping skills. Is he transitioning into a specialist keeper role or does he still play primarily for his marketability?
Upcoming Matches: The competition continues relentlessly, with MI facing KKR at Wankhede Stadium on Monday, and a clash between Chennai and an in-form Delhi team at MA Chidambaram Stadium on Saturday. Early signs indicate that these could be crucial “must-win” matches.
