IPL 2019, Standout player, biggest disappointment, best quote – Hardik Pandya, Delhi Capitals and Andre Russell feature in week 5 wrap

We’re entering the business end of IPL 2019, and things are getting quite heated up now. Two teams have qualified for the play-offs. One has been eliminated. There has been some bickering and complaining, some nerves, a few injuries, and plenty else happening in a typical IPL week. More on them below.

Standout player – Hardik Pandya
It’s easy to forget all the troubles Pandya went through at the turn of the year, starting with his controversial comments on a TV, the subsequent ban, and shortly after his return, the injury. He’s emerged from all that creditably – he’s put his head down and focussed on the cricket, and his 34-ball 91 against Kolkata Knight Riders was testament to that. With bat and ball, Pandya has made crucial contributions to Mumbai this season, and you get the feeling something special is on the cards.

Standout moment – Delhi ends years of hurt
The last time Delhi Daredevils Capitals reached this far was in 2012 – it’s been seven years since they last qualified for the knockouts of the IPL. That they have managed to do that, after years of pathetic performances and hurt, is credit to the system put in place by the new owners – new jersey, new brand, new name, (mostly) same old players. They are now at the top of the table, with a better NRR than Chennai Super Kings, and in this spirit, not much can seemingly stop them.

Biggest disappointment – A brief look at Steyn
In the two matches he turned out for Royal Challengers Bangalore, after replacing Nathan Coulter-Nile, Dale Steyn had the effect you’d expect of him – he picked crucial wickets and Bangalore’s bowling attack was lifted on the whole. It’s the effect you’d expect a world-beating bowler to have, and why Bangalore didn’t bid for him at the auctions … is a debate for another day. Unfortunately, a shoulder injury flared up, and as Steyn returned to South Africa, Bangalore lost again. He was their lucky charm.

Room for improvement – Kolkata Knight Riders
All’s not well in Knight Riders HQ. Their losing streak extended to six matches last week, and there were a lot of unsteadiness in the camp, signified mostly by Andre Russell, who turned up for a press conference and, without naming names, questioned decisions made during matches – it was all aimed at the captain, of course. However, Kolkata finally reshuffled their batting against Mumbai, and just like that, all of Shubman Gill, Chris Lynn and Russell himself plundered runs. Their campaign is still alive, and more of the same is needed.

Standout quote – Andre Russell
“I could pinpoint a few games where if we just looked to bowl tighter in areas or bring in right bowlers at the right time, we could have won.”
– Is Andre Russell auditioning for captaincy?