IPL BY NUMBERS: Sixes record broken but the bowlers are fighting back

CSK are chasing 200 for fun while others can't take down 118, Archer and Plunkett impress on debut

33

MS Dhoni (70 from 34) hit seven of the 33 sixes to clear the ropes as Chennai Super Kings chased down a target of 200 or more for the second time in the 2018 IPL.

AB de Villiers and Ambati Rayudu both hit eight in the match which broke the previous record of 31. 

Andre Russell smashed 11 of 31 sixes registered in match five (KKR v CSK) of IPL2018, one that equalled the record of 31 set in a fixture between Gujarat Lions and Delhi Daredevils in 2017.

2

The number of teams who have chased down a target of 200 or more twice in the same IPL season. 

Fifties from Quinton de Kock and de Villiers saw Royal Challengers Bangalore to 205 but Dhoni and Rayudu’s tuning efforts and some questionable death bowling helped CSK secure a thrilling victory.

It is the second time this year that Chennai have managed the feat, after chasing down Kolkata’s 202 with a ball to spare.

Kings XI Punjab are the only other team to chase 200+ twice in the same IPL tournament.

0 for 58 (3.4)

Judging by Virat Kohli’s reaction to his side’s effort with the ball against CSK on Wednesday, Corey Anderson may not be doing much more at the death for RCB.

Kohli called his side’s performance with the ball “criminal” as they failed to defend 205.

Only Umesh Yadav 0-59 (4), also for RCB, has conceded more in an innings than Anderson’s 58.

10

Shreyas Iyer cleared the ropes 10 times on his way to 93 not out for Delhi against KKR, in his first game as captain, replacing Gautam Gambhir.

23-year-old Iyer is Delhi’s youngest ever captain and his unbeaten 93 is the highest score by a player making their captaincy debut in the IPL. 

"Hopefully we carry forward the same momentum from here!"

Here's what Shreyas Iyer had to say on his first win as captain! 😀#DilDilli #Dhadkega #DDvKKR pic.twitter.com/gNiZnyEZSx

— Delhi Daredevils (@DelhiDaredevils) April 28, 2018

106 

CSK’s Shane Watson now hold’s this year’s higher score after unleashing 106 from 57 balls against Rajasthan Royals. Batted, Watto.

Who’d be  a bowler, ay? Well, this lot are dispelling the myth that T20 is a batsman-only format…

5 for 14

Ankit Rajpoot’s claimed 5 for 14 for Kings XI against Sunrisers - the best innings figures in this year's IPL and the best ever by an uncapped Indian in the Indian Premier League, bettering Ajit Chandila’s 4 for 13 for Rajasthan in 2012.

4-0-19-3

After going for 49 and 55 in consecutive matches, Rashid Khan has returned to form in style with figures of 2 for 11 and 3 for 19 in his last two outings.

Khan is one of six bowlers to have recorded a maiden in this year’s IPL.

118

The second-lowest total successfully defended in the IPL.

Khan’s 2 for 11 came as Sunrisers successfully defended 118 against Mumbai (87 all out in 18.5 overs) - their lowest ever IPL total. Basil Thampi chipped in with 2 for 4 (1.5) in the match.

CSK’s defence of 116 is the lowest ever - beating Kings XI by 24 runs n 2009.

3 for 17

Liam Plunkett arrived on the IPL stage in style, taking 3 for 17 for Delhi against Kings XI - the best by a Daredevils bowler on debut.

The England and Yorkshire bowler followed up with a tight set of 0 for 24 (4) against Knight Riders.

.@Liam628 registered the best figures by a DD bowler on VIVO @IPL debut last night.

Now, that's a first impression! 👌🏻#DilDilli #Dhadkega #DDvKXIP pic.twitter.com/rmv3TS5W9M

— Delhi Daredevils (@DelhiDaredevils) April 24, 2018

4-0-22-3

Jofra Archer had a similar impact on his Royals debut. The future England hopeful claimed 3 for 22, bowling Hardik Panda and Mitchell McClenaghan with successive deliveries.

Kohli hits another 100  

Virat Kohli has now captained a century of matches in Twenty20 cricket. He is the third Indian to do so after MS Dhoni (245) and Gautam Gambhir (170).