IPL week four recap
The fourth week of IPL 2022 was a moving one. It was a week that was high on not just cricket but also on drama. Batsmen who were at the top of the pile continued their dominance. The bowlers too weren’t left far behind. They came into their own, especially this week. Here you can see the IPL Week Four Recap.
It was a week where many matches were decided on a single game-changing over. Teams that won those mini battles ended up winning the game. The biggest surprise of the week though was Gujarat winning the toss and electing to bat. It remains the only instance this season so far.
We Take A Quick IPL Week Four Recap:
#1 The Royal’s story
It is not often that you see a team and its players dominate the charts in a single season. But it has been that year for the Rajasthan Royals at least up until now. Jos Buttler comfortably dominates the run charts this season (491) with 3 centuries already. Yuzvendra Chahal picked up a hattrick Enroute his maiden 5-wicket haul in the IPL. He tops the bowling charts (18 wickets). RR also holds this season’s record for the highest score (222-2). There is hardly a table where RR isn’t dominating.
#2 Another win-win week for the Titans
No optimist would have predicted that the Gujarat Titans would be leading the table halfway into the league. But the Titans have done exactly that. They have now won 6 out of 7 games so far. The Titans continued to win this week too with a hard-fought win over KKR. They sit at the top of the table with 12 points.
#3 The resurgence of the risers
Sunrisers Hyderabad looked listless in the first couple of games. But what a turnaround it has been since. They are the only team to have won 5 games in a row this season. SRH is the only side that has defeated the Titans so far. The orange army notched up an impressive win over RCB. They bowled RCB out for a paltry 68. SRH went on to chase the score in just 8 overs. This huge win propelled their net run rate. They occupy the second spot on the table. But more importantly, look good for more.
#4 The no-ball controversy
RR had piled up 222-2 batting first against Delhi Capitals. The Capitals were hampered with no batter batting deep in the chase. They were left needing 36 off the final over. The inexperienced Obed McCoy was to bowl the final over. Rovman Powell who was for the first time smashing it big was lining up big time. He smashed the first two balls for sixes.
The pressure started to show on McCoy. He bowled a full toss to Powell in the third ball of the over. Powell duly dispatched the ball for six. But the square leg umpire didn’t rule it as a no-ball. This got the DC camp furious. Rishabh Pant signaled his team to come back. Pravin Amre, the assistant coach stormed into the field. The halt in the game derailed DC’s momentum. They lost the game eventually. The margin read 15 runs.
#5 The finisher isn’t finished
CSK and MI engaged in game 33 of IPL 2022. This mid-week El-Classico was played to different tunes. Both champion teams had looked listless this season. For the large part of the game, it appeared as if MI would pocket the first win of the season. With 16 runs needed in 4 balls, it looked all but over for CSK.
MS Dhoni took the matters into his own hands. He smashed 6, 4, 2, and 4 off the final ball to take CSK home. Dhoni is far from finished.
#6 The forgettable season got worse for Mumbai
For the first time in the history of the IPL that a side has lost their opening eight games in a row. Mumbai Indians, the league’s most successful IPL team has now succumbed to 8 defeats in succession. They appear a disjointed side. The lack of fight is quite apparent from the side. MI has lost games from possibly all scenarios. They would want this season to end soon. MI’s eight losses in a row mean that IPL 2022 is now effectively a 9-team tournament.
