The likes of Chris Gayle, David Miller, Mike Hussey, Shane Watson, Kieron Pollard, Brad Hodge, Dwayne Smith redefined the art of batting in 2013 Indian Premier League T-20 championship to stand out as perfect examples of game-changers.
David Miller: This South African southpaw played what is arguably the finest innings of controlled aggression more dotted for his flamboyance in the ‘V’, generally the hallmark of those who bat with a straight bat. His 38-ball century (101 not out, 8 x 4, 7 x 6) saw Kings XI Punjab through what many who were watching the game against Royal Challengers Bangalore thought was a lost cause. KXIP was 64 for four in 9.5 overs, chasing 191. Then Miller unleashed his mind-boggling assault which saw 99 runs scored off the last five overs to signal the arrival of another star on the cricket horizon.
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Kieron Pollard: This big-hitting star from Trinidad & Tobago rarely lived up to his awesome reputation built on that one sensational 18-ball, 54 effort against New South Wales attack which had Brett Lee amongst others in the 2009 CL T-20 championship in Hyderabad. But, Pollard put all this behind when a typical batting special when Mumbai Indians needed 62 off the last four overs, chasing 179 set by Sunrisers Hyderabad. Surviving some close calls from speedster Dale Steyn, Pollard came into his own soon. One bowler he picked for special treatment was the hapless Sri Lankan Thisara Perera. The scoring sequence against him - 6, 4, 1, 6, 6, 6, 6, 0, 6 – summed it all as Pollard score a blazing 60 not out (27 balls, 2 x4, 8 x 6) and pulled off an improbable win to spur wild celebrations in the MI dug-out. Then, that match-winning unbeaten 60 (32ball, 7 x 4, 3 x 6) in the low-scoring IPL final contest against CSK was another reminder of his big-hitting prowess.
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Brad Hodge: For someone who was almost unobtrusive, this 40-year-old Aussie played his best IPL innings against the best attack comprising Dale Steyn, Ishant Sharma, leggies Amit Sharma and Karan Sharma. It was a game-changer. He came when Rajasthan Royals was 57 for five, needing 133 to win in Delhi. Sweeping aside the cloud of match-fixing over his team and the not-so-batsman friendly pitch, Hodge (54 not out, 29 balls, 5 x 6) helped Royals enter the semi-final with that sensational innings.