IPL 2015's best moments that won't fade away
There was a lot of excitement, plenty of fun, a good amount of adrenaline, an array of tactics, a variety of weird hairdos, some crazy camera angles, a bunch of controversies and above all a healthy dose of quality cricket. IPL 8 was one of the most closely contested editions of the tournament, and it was never short of memorable moments at any juncture.
Some of those moments – innings, shots, catches and fielding – will stay in memory for a while, just the way the Axe Signature deodorants don’t fade away. Here, we pick five memorable moments from the 2015 edition of the IPL:
The sprightly run from the old man
This year Brad Hogg became the oldest player to play a game in the IPL, but not for a moment did he look rusty. Showing off his supreme fitness levels, Hogg gave us one of the moments of this IPL with his sprightly celebration.
Brimming with confidence after a good return in the previous game, Hogg came on to bowl against Chennai Super Kings in the fifth over – well inside the power-play. He was bowling to Brendon McCullum, who had smashed 32 in just 12 balls with three fours and three sixes. The very first ball, Hogg trapped the Kiwi LBW with a flat delivery in front of the stumps, and broke into his characteristic run.
The 44-year-old Aussie went on to register figures of 4-29 in the game, showing how old is gold even in the most adrenaline-packed cricket tournament in the world.
The genius of AB de Villiers
The moment happened not during the game but after it. Mumbai Indians, after their four initial losses, went on an amazing winning streak that was interrupted only a couple of times, one of those courtesy AB de Villiers’ genius. The great man scored a century in just 47 balls, with a slog swept off a fast bowler over deep midwicket. He finished unbeaten on 133 in just 59 balls, taking RCB to 235 for one.
But when asked about his breathtaking innings, De Villiers nonchalantly said he didn’t think that was his best innings. That confidence blended with his matter-of-fact frankness from a usually modest man was a moment to relish.