IPL 2022: Five memorable knocks in losing cause

The Indian Premier League 2022 got underway on March 26 (Saturday). The two finalists of the last edition – Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) – kicked off the proceedings of the 15th season. For the first time, the competition is now divided into two virtual groups of five teams each.

The division was based on a seeding system formulated by the number of titles won and the number of finals played. Not to forget, two new teams – Lucknow Super Giants and Gujarat Titans – have come into the picture, making the IPL a 10-team competition.

Meanwhile, every season witnesses some scintillating knocks, some of which, unfortunately, fail to deliver a win. Despite the valiance and lionhearted courage, the efforts of these batters have sometimes ended in vain. As a consolation, they, nevertheless, receive accolades for their performances.

In this list, let us check out five memorable knocks that ended in losing causes in the IPL.

1. Suresh Raina – 87 vs KXIP in 2014

This flaming innings from Mr. IPL is still fresh in everyone’s mind, especially Raina and the Yellow Army’s fans, who would label it as mind-boggling. The fearless effort from the southpaw (87 off 25 balls) almost helped CSK cross the line. However, a collapse in the lower middle-order resulted in Punjab playing its first IPL final.

By winning the toss, captain Dhoni and his boys decided to field in the second Qualifier of IPL 2014. KXIP, on the other hand, had Virender Sehwag belting the bowling. During his presence at the crease till the 19th over, Sehwag whacked 122 runs from a mere 58 deliveries. At the innings break, CSK had to chase a mammoth score of 227 runs.

In response, the yellow army had a disappointing start. Faf du Plessis gave a regulation catch off the very second ball of the first over. However, that brought Suresh Raina to the crease which resulted in CSK scoring 100 runs in just 6.1 overs. In particular, from his 25 balls, Raina mercilessly attacked both Sandeep Sharma and Parvinder Awana. In such a scenario, an explosive batter like Brendon McCullum was a mere spectator at the other end.

By utilizing the entire Powerplay, the dasher smashed a total of 12 fours and six sixes. The boundaries and maximums went to all corners of the ground. Only a run-out dismissal turned out to be a nemesis for the southpaw. Eventually, the game witnessed a 24-run defeat for CSK despite MSD’s unbeaten 42. Nonetheless, this mind-blowing innings from Mr. IPL awed the fans to great lengths.