IPL 2021: 5 incredible cameos in IPL history that turned a match upside down

3. Krishnappa Gowtham - 33*(11) vs. MI, IPL 2018

It was one of the best moments of Krishnappa Gowtham's IPL career

Krishnappa Gowtham became the most expensive uncapped player in IPL history at the 2021 auction. The Chennai Super Kings signed him for ₹9.25 crore, and one of the main reasons behind it was his ability to finish innings with a flourish.

Gowtham showcased his talent against his former franchise Mumbai Indians in 2018. Playing for RR, Gowtham came out to bat at number eight, with Rajasthan needing 43 runs off 17 balls. MI had the likes of Mustafizur Rahman, Jasprit Bumrah and Hardik Pandya available to bowl the final overs.

However, that made no difference to Gowtham, who played a gem of a knock to guide his team to the win. Gowtham scored 33 runs off just 11 balls, smacking four fours and two sixes as RR beat MI by three wickets.

Krishnappa scored two boundaries in Bumrah's over, while he hit a four and a six each off Rahman and Pandya's bowling.

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4. Andre Russell - 48*(13) vs. RCB, IPL 2019

And you guys in the Dugout who said game/set/& match......u may know your cricket but you don’t know @Russell12A !!! WOW u CHAMPION. This calls for Wine my MuscleMan!

— Shah Rukh Khan (@iamsrk) April 5, 2019

Like Albie Morkel, Andre Russell played an unbelievable innings while chasing a 206-run target against the Royal Challengers Bangalore. Hosting KKR in Bengaluru during the 2019 season, RCB scored 205/3 in their 20 overs.

KKR were down to 153/5 after 17 overs, with Andre Russell in the middle on 1*(2). Mohammed Siraj came in to bowl the 18th over but could not complete it as he bowled a beamer, his second of the night, to Russell. The Caribbean all-rounder smashed that full toss out of the park.

Marcus Stoinis was given the responsibility to complete the over, but the Aussie all-rounder leaked 15 runs off the last four balls. The equation came down to 30 runs off 12 deliveries.

Tim Southee bowled the 19th over, where he leaked 28 runs off five balls to Russell. Southee got hit for four sixes and a four. KKR secured the win on the first ball of the 20th over.

Russell took the Man of the Match award for his incredible 13-ball 48* that silenced the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium.

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5. Balachandra Akhil - 27*(7) vs. DC, IPL 2008

Balachandra Akhil - holds the record of highest strike rate(385.71) in an IPL innings as an Indian.He scored 27 off 7 balls against Decan Chargers for RCB in 2008 (Note : Min 25 runs)

— Cric Stats Network (@csn_stats) July 25, 2020

Former RCB all-rounder Balachandra Akhil is one of the few players in IPL history to have scored runs at a strike rate of 385+ in an innings where a player faced seven or more deliveries. Akhil accomplished the feat in the inaugural season against the Deccan Chargers.

Playing at home, DC set a 166-run target for RCB. The home team reduced RCB to 141/5 in 17.2 overs. Bangalore needed 26 runs off 16 balls when Akhil came out to bat. The all-rounder smashed two fours off the first two balls he faced, bowled by Chaminda Vaas.

Chamara Silva bowled the 18th over, where Akhil hit three maximums and secured the win for RCB. Akhil is not among the most popular IPL stars, but his 27*(8) will always have a special place in the hearts of the RCB fans.