Yesterday's IPL match between the Kolkata Knight Riders and Gujarat Lions saw the KKR side blazing away to a record-breaking victory. Interestingly, KKR had scored a massive 72-0 at the end of their PowerPlay overs. This pulsating start helped them clinch the game with relative ease later on.
Here, we look at the five best PowerPlay scores of the IPL ever.
5. 84 for 1, Deccan Chargers v Delhi Daredevils, IPL 2009:
The fact that this came in the semi-final of IPL 2009 makes it a stupendous effort. Chasing a target of 154, the Deccan Chargers, led by the enigmatic Adam Gilchrist, blazed away to 84 for 1 in the first six overs.
Gilchrist played one of the best knocks of the IPL and with his fierce cuts, pulls and drives, led his team to this score at the end of the Power Play. The Chargers won the match with more than two overs to spare.
4. 86 for 1, Kings XI Punjab v Sunrisers Hyderabad, IPL 2014:
In a chase of 206 against Sunrisers Hyderabad, Kings XI Punjab needed a solid start in this IPL 2014 game. And the onslaught was provided by Manan Vohra and Wriddhiman Saha who began tearing into the likes of Dale Steyn and Bhuvneshwar Kumar with relative ease.
On a true Hyderabad surface, the two batsmen hit the bowlers to all corners of the park and notched up 86-1 in the Power Play. Due to this cracking start, Punjab eventually chased the target down in just 18.4 overs.
3. 87 for 2, Kochi Tuskers Kerala v Rajasthan Royals, IPL 2011:
It was the final league match of IPL 2011 for Kochi Tuskers Kerala, and they made it memorable by comprehensively decimating Rajasthan Royals. They first bundled out the Royals for a paltry 97 and then the likes of Brendon McCullum and Parthiv Patel took Kochi to an incredible 87-2 at the end of the PowerPlays. They played fearlessly and ended up clinching the game in just 7.2 overs.
2. 90 for 0, Chennai Super Kings v Mumbai Indians, IPL 2015:
Chasing a formidable target of 184 against the Mumbai Indians, the Chennai Super Kings openers Brendon McCullum and Dwayne Smith went simply berserk. With their powerful cuts, pull and smashes, they took CSK to 90 for no loss at the end of the Power Play overs. This remarkable start allowed CSK to play freely and eventually overhaul the target in just 16.4 overs.
1. 100 for 2, Chennai Super Kings v Kings XI Punjab, IPL 2014:
Chennai Super Kings star batsman Suresh Raina, almost single-handedly, gave the IPL it's highest ever IPL Power Play score. In this high-octane clash against Kings XI Punjab in the 2nd qualifying play-off of IPL 2014, Chennai were chasing a humongous 227 to win, but Raina came in began a stunning counter-assault that took everyone's breath away.
Playing his traditional cuts, drives, and heaves, Raina blazed away to a sensational 87 off just 25 balls and helped Chennai reach a colossal 100-2 at the end of the Power Play - the highest ever score of the Power Plays in IPL history. Unfortunately, as Raina departed, CSK fell apart and lost the game by 25 runs.
