IPL 2019, Standout player, biggest disappointment, best quote – Kieron Pollard, Royal Challengers Bangalore and MS Dhoni feature in week 3 wrap

Midway through IPL 2019, there’s already been plenty of everything – drama, controversies, last-ball thrillers and one-sided snooze fests. But such is the nature of the IPL, something new keeps happening, and it’s not always good. What is it? Find out in our weekly wrap.

Standout player – Kieron Pollard
Before Andre Russell, there was Kieron Pollard. The 31-year-old was one of the original big-hitters, and over the last week, he took the spotlight back from Russell – just for a bit – as he hammered a 31-ball 83 against Kings XI Punjab to win Mumbai Indians a last-ball thriller in a match he was standing in as captain. Before that, he had smashed a 26-ball 46* in another big win against Sunrisers Hyderabad. Pollard’s still got it.  

Standout moment – Bangalore win
There was plenty happening during the week, but the standout moment belonged to Royal Challengers Bangalore – they finally won a match, against Punjab to snap a streak of six straight losses. It was the worst such run for Bangalore, and after that eight-wicket victory, they will hope some spark can be added to the campaign, especially with the important signing of Dale Steyn to replace the injured Nathan Coulter-Nile.

Biggest disappointment – Dhoni
Not often do you see MS Dhoni in lists such as this, but after his outburst against Rajasthan Royals, he makes the cut. Dhoni was so irked by the decision of the square-leg umpire to overrule a no-ball call for height against Chennai that he stormed onto the field and confronted the umpires. It was bizarre, to say the least, and rightfully, many wondered if this would have been allowed to slide had it been any other player. Dhoni got away with a fine. It should have been more.

Room for improvement – Sunrisers’ middle order
From the side favourites to win the tournament, to one currently down in the bottom half of the table, Hyderabad’s fall has been sharp. They have lost three straight matches, and are above just Rajasthan and Bangalore, the laggards. Chief reason for that has been the middle order – against Delhi Capitals on Sunday, April 14, they collapsed from 102/2 to 116. No player apart from David Warner and Jonny Bairstow reached double digits. The middle order has been chopped and changed, but Hyderabad need a solution and fast.

Standout quote – David Warner
“I’m no longer part of the process. I don’t know what their thinking was”
– David Warner, speaking on the upheaval of Hyderabad’s middle order, subtly hinting he needs to be part of the leadership again.