Top 5 IPL performances that went in vain
The annual cricketing bonanza, the Indian Premier League (IPL), has seen its fair share of brilliant performances, several of which can’t be described by mere words. Ever since the inception of the IPL, players have, quite often, churned out performances that have taken their side home, even under situations of extreme pressure.
However, there have also been quite a few superb displays of talent by players, that haven’t quite managed to pull their team through to victory.
Here’s a look at the top 5 IPL performances that have been in vain:
5. Sunil Narine (KKR) vs KXIP
Sunil Narine has been the most vital cog of the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) bowling attack ever since he was picked to play for them in the 2012 IPL. The Trinidadian has continued to justify his reputation as a “mystery bowler” thanks to his variations on his off-spinners, and his spectacular ability to disguise them perfectly. He was named the Player of the Tournament in the 2012 edition of the IPL for his 24 wickets at a miserly economy rate of 5.47.
His sublime bowling effort of 5-19 in 4 overs against the Kings XI Punjab in 2012 restricted Punjab to 134 runs. However, the batsmen failed to do their job and the Knight Riders failed to secure, what should have been, an easy victory. They fell short by just 2 runs in the end.
4. Yusuf Pathan (RR) vs MI
Yusuf Pathan, the tall and sturdy right-handed batsman from Baroda was bought by the Rajasthan Royals in the very first season of the IPL. He went on to lead his team to victory in the finals of that very IPL, and was the Man of the Match for his great batting effort.
However, things just did not go the way of his team on the 2nd of March, 2010, as the Rajasthan Royals took on the Mumbai Indians at the Brabourne Stadium. Chasing an imposing target of 213, the Royals were tottering at 66-4, when Yusuf strode into the middle. He took the bowlers by the scruff of the neck, and scored the fastest century in IPL at that time. To the Royals’ utter dismay, Pathan was run out at 100 and the Royals fell 4 agonizing runs short of the target.