IPL 2016 roundup: Harbhajan, Rayudu clash as Mumbai closes gap on Gujrat

The Express Tribune overviews the cash-rich T20 league

The ninth edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) saw its third week come to an end during which the cricketing extravaganza saw 257 fours and 93 sixes in just nine T20 matches.

Here is complete review of the third week of the cash-rich T20 league.

Best batsman: Chris Morris

PHOTO COURTESY: BCCI

The best batting performance of the week came from South African all-rounder Chris Morris, who is more renowned for his bowling than for his power hitting.



Morris came in to bat against league-toppers Gujrat Lions when Delhi Daredevils were in all sorts of trouble after losing four wickets for 57 while chasing 172. They needed another 115 runs in 56 balls at nearly 12 runs per over.

The 29-year-old along with fellow compatriot JP Duminy took his team closer to the target, but were unfortunate to not get the team past the finishing line.

The all-rounder scored a stunning 82 not-out off just 37 balls with the help of four boundaries and eight sixes, at a strike rate of over 250.



Even though his team did not manage to win the match, but for his astonishing single-handed effort, where he nearly took his side over the line, he was awarded man-of-the-match.

Best bowler: Axar Patel

PHOTO: AFP

The bowling performance of the week came from Kings XI Punjab's left-arm spinning all-rounder Axar Patel, who bowled an amazing spell against table-leaders Gujrat on Sunday at Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium, Rajkot.

Defending a par total of 154, Punjab were up against one of the best batting lineup in the tournament. However, an impeccably accurate bowling performance from the Indian left-arm spinner helped his team earn a precious win, which was their second in the tournament.



The 22-year-old picked three key wickets in the seventh over of the Gurjat innings of explosive opener Dwayne Smith, wicketkeeper-batsman Dinesh Karthik and World T20 winning all-rounder Dwayne Bravo to pretty much seal the deal for Murali Vijay’s team.

He also went on to complete his hat-trick in his next over, which is also the first of this tournament, when he accounted for all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja as he was trying to cut but only managed an edge to the keeper.

Punjab will be hoping that Patel will keep up his good form for them to savour a chance to enter the playoffs.



Here is the celebration of Axar Patel after grabbing the first hat-trick of the IPL 2016

Best team: Mumbai Indians

PHOTO COURTESY: BCCI

The best team of the week is Rohit Sharma’s Mumbai Indians. The team managed to win all of their three matches in the week to rise to the second spot behind Gujrat.

Rohit Sharma’s men first defeated Kings XI Punjab comfortably by 25 runs on Monday. Mumbai then went on to beat Kolkata Knight Riders after chasing down a target of 174 with ease, thanks to some responsible batting from the captain himself.



In the last match of the week, the defending champions went on to comfortably beat the new boys Rising Pune Supergiants by eight wickets, once again thanks to some incredible batting performance from their star captain.

Reel of the week: Harbhajan, Rayudu spat

PHOTO COURTESY: BCCI

Mumbai Indians teammates Harbhajan Singh and Ambati Rayudu were engaged in a heated conversation in a match against Rising Pune Supergiants on Sunday.

During Harbhajans second over in the first innings, Saurabh Tiwary hit the veteran off-spinner for a four by finding a gap between two fielders at deep midwicket and long-on.

Rayudu, who was came running in from deep midwicket, tried to dive to his right in attempt to stop the ball but pushed it past Southee who was running in from long on.

Following the boundary, Harbhajan yelled at Rayudu who reacted with equal anguish. Both players started walking towards each other but the veteran off-spinner acted calmly and pacified Rayudu who kept seething and went back to his position.

This is how it all happened

https://twitter.com/_DCSports/status/726980090081382401