IPL 2018: Top 5 knocks from captains this season

Most of the skippers in the eleventh edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) are big names. They are under the pump to lead from the team front. Over the eleven seasons, there have been many captains who have tended to crumble under pressure. However, the role of captaincy has also churned out the best from individuals and they have turned out to be exemplary personalities for the franchise.

On many occasions, it has been seen that a single-handed knock by a batsman takes a side to glory. Many batsmen fail to score runs in the hour of need, but some of them put their hands up and score the vital runs. In our article, we take you through some knocks of the leaders, which have carved stupendous victories for their respective teams in this IPL.

1. MS Dhoni 70* from 34 balls versus RCB

Tracking down 200+ runs isn’t a cakewalk, no matter how flat the track and how short the boundary is. However, MS Dhoni, who is deemed to be one of the best finishers of the game, can make a mockery of such targets. Against the Royal Challengers Bangalore, he played a superlative knock of 70 runs at twice than a run-a-ball and won the match from a position where Chennai Super Kings stared down the barrel.

Chasing 206 runs at the M.Chinnaswamy Stadium, the veteran took charge when Chennai needed 132 runs from 11 overs at 12 runs per over and with four wickets back in the shed. Dhoni didn’t allow the pressure to unnerve him and compiled a 101 run-stand with Ambati Rayudu. Meanwhile, he also accomplished his half-century in 29 balls with a massive six downtown against Corey Anderson.

Following Rayudu’s wicket, the visitors needed 27 runs from 8 balls and the CSK captain spanked Mohammed Siraj over point for a six. The shot shifted the pressure on Siraj and he bowled three consecutive wides in the same over. In the last over, the Yellow Army required 16 runs and Dhoni deposited Anderson over wide long-on to win them the match with a couple of overs to spare.