IPL 2018: 5 most entertaining overs so far

The 11th edition of the Indian Premier League has seen several high-scoring games. Kolkata Knight Riders' 245, Delhi Daredevils’ 219, Rajasthan Royals’ 217, Mumbai Indians’ 213 and Chennai Super Kings’ 211 have been the highest scores of the season so far.

Rishabh Pant is leading the run-charts with 582 runs from 12 matches, at a strike rate of almost 157! The season has seen several entertaining overs, full of boundaries and out-of-the-park sixes. Here’s looking at the 5 best:

#1 Delhi Daredevils vs Kolkata Knight Riders

Iyer hit Shivam Mavi for 28 runs in a single over

Shreyas Iyer, playing his first IPL game as a captain, hit young Shivam Mavi for 28 runs (6 6 0 6 4 6) in the last over of Delhi’s innings at the Feroz Shah Kotla. The young Delhi skipper scored a 40-ball 93 which included 10 sixes and 3 fours.

Iyer, known as a flamboyant batsman in the Mumbai ranks, has been in fine form this season. Delhi posted 219 on the board, while visitors KKR could manage only 164-9 in their 20 overs.

#2 Kings XI Punjab vs Sunrisers Hyderabad

Chris Gayle is once again proving why he is the best in the T20 business

Swashbuckling batsman Chris Gayle wreaked havoc in Rashid Khan’s over (14) in the game between Kings XI Punjab and Sunrisers Hyderabad. Gayle scored 26 runs off five deliveries (6 6 6 6 2) during his marathon 63-ball 104.

The Jamaican hit 11 sixes and one four, at a strike rate of 165! Punjab posted 193 on the board and in return, Hyderabad could manage only 178. Both Punjab and Hyderabad have performed well this year, and have almost made it to the playoffs.

#3 Mumbai Indians vs Kolkata Knight Riders

Young Ishan Kishan hit an experienced Kuldeep Yadav for 24 runs in only 4 balls

Mumbai’s Ishan Kishan smashed Kolkata’s Kuldeep Yadav for 24 runs in 4 balls (6 6 6 6) in the 14th over of Mumbai’s innings in the second game between MI and KKR at the Eden Gardens. Man of the Match Kishan scored a 21-ball 62, which was laced with 6 sixes and 5 fours.

Mumbai posted 110 on the board, which was a task too huge for the hosts, who were all-out for only 108 runs in 18.1 overs. With that win, Mumbai secured the fourth position on the points table, while KKR came down a spot to number 5.

#4 Kings XI Punjab vs Delhi Daredevils

KL Rahul is currently the third highest run scorer in the tournament

KL Rahul, who was discarded by his former franchise Royal Challengers Bangalore, has been among the highest run-getters this season for his new franchise Kings XI Punjab. In the 3rd over of the game between Punjab and Delhi, Rahul smashed Amit Mishra for 24 runs in one over (4 6 6 4 4 0).

Rahul eventually scored a 16-ball 51, which remains one of the most entertaining innings of this season so far. His side won by 6 wickets, after restricting Delhi to 166 in 20 overs, and comfortably chasing down the target.

#5 Rajasthan Royals vs Delhi Daredevils

Jos Buttler has been in fine form this season

Jos Buttler hit Avesh Khan for 23 runs (6 6 0 6 4 1) in the 3rd over of the Delhi vs Rajasthan game, during his knock of 67 runs from 26 balls, which came in a losing cause. Apart from Buttler and D'Arcy Short (25-ball 44), no other player could rise to the challenge of chasing down the target of 197 runs set by Delhi.

Delhi Daredevils won by 4 runs (DLS method - Reduced to 12 overs due to rain - Target 151). Both Delhi and Rajasthan Royals are unlikely to make the playoffs this season.