1 / 11The 14th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) starts tonight with defending champions Mumbai Indians, led by Rohit Sharma, taking on the Virat Kohli-led Royal Challengers Bangalore. Over the past 14 years, the marquee T20 tournament has given cricket fans across the globe memories to cherish and moments to celebrate. By no means, exhaustive or in order, here is a list of 10 top moments in the premier league: Image source: IPL official Twitter handle
2 / 11Rahul Tewatia goes berserk in IPL 2020: Chasing a mammoth target of 224 for Rajasthan Royals in Sharjah against Kings XI Punjab in 2020, Tewatia smashed Sheldon Cottrell five sixes, snatching the victory from the jaws of Kings XI. Initially Tewatia looked nervous, couldn't connect balls. However, the 18th over proved to be critical, the left-handed batsman finished 53 off just 31 deliveries.
3 / 11The Andre Russel show in IPL 2019: The Kolkata Knight Riders were facing Royal Challengers Bangalore and chasing a target of 206, which looked like an uphill task when the former were struggling at 157/5 in 17 overs. Russel smashed seven sixes and a four in 13 balls in his 48-run innings, finishing the game with five balls to spare. Image source: iplt20.com
4 / 11Trent Boult impressive catch in IPL 2018: Known more for his sharp pace and swing, Trent Boult is terrific on the field as a fielder too. Virat Kohli, the captain of Royal Challengers Bangalore, flicked a full toss from Harshal Patel towards fine-leg. The ball was timed well and it was travelling for a flat six when Boult intervened. He took a couple of steps back, leapt, caught the ball with one hand, turned completely in the opposite direction but remained inside the ropes. Truly, an amazing moment!. Image source: IPLt20.com
5 / 11Mitchel Johnson bowls the final over and wins it for Mumbai in 2017: Batting first, the Mumbai Indians scored a paltry 129 in 20 overs. The Rising Pune Supergiants needed 11 off 6 balls and Australian speedster Mitchel Johnson pulled off a miracle. The target was reduced to merely 7 in the last 5 balls, but the left-arm fast bowler sent Manoj Tewari and Steve Smit back to the pavilion off successive deliveries. Sundar retired on fourth delivery and Pune needed 4 off the last ball. A yorker from Johnson ensured a win for Mumbai Indians and the team lifted the trophy. Image source: IPLt20.com
6 / 11The Kohli-de Villiers partnership in IPL 2016: The RCB were playing against Gujarat Lions and lost Chris Gayle early, but Captain Virat Kohli and Ab de Villiers showed anything was possible in cricket. With rains of fours and sixes RCB concluded their innings at 248/3. Kohli and Villiers added a mammoth 229 runs and both scored centuries. In response, the Lions were dismissed at a meagre 104 run. Image source: RCB official website
7 / 11Adam Gilchrist takes his first wicket with his career's first ball in IPL 2013: Former Australian wicket keeper and star batsman Adam Gilchrist had never bowled before just as Praveen Kumar never had kept wickets before. Gilchrist was leading the Kings XI Punjab side then and the match was already under their control. Gilly decided to try his hand at bowling and dismissed Harbhajan Singh off his first ball. What followed was loud cheers and a Gangnam Style celebration. Image source: IPL T20 official website
8 / 11Christopher Henry Gale in IPL 2013: It was April 23, 2013, Pune Warriors India invited Royal Challengers Bangalore to bat after winning the toss. They realised their mistake when Gayle hit them in all corners of the stadium, finishing 175 off just 66 deliveries. He smashed 17 sixes in fireworks in the stadium that day. He scored his hundred off just 30 balls, which is the fastest hundred in T20 cricket. Image source: IPL T20 official website
9 / 11Anil Kumble runs through the Rajasthan Royals’ line-up in IPL 2009: It was the second edition of the IPL and the defending champions Rajasthan Royals were facing RCB in the second game at Cape Town. The RCB could score only 132 in 20 overs and many thought the game was over. Little did they know that legendary Anil Kumble had once dismissed the entire Pakistani side in an innings on his own. The night was one again Kumble's. The former Indian captain picked 5 for just five and Rajasthan Royals collapsed for 58. Image source: RCB official website
10 / 11Sohail Tanveer's 6/14 in IPL season 2007-08: This goes back to the very first season of the Indian Premier League. Captained by Shane Warne, the Rajasthan Royals were the underdogs of the tournament. They had a young side with less-known faces, but the leadership, combined with the potential of the side, did wonder for them. In the 24th game of the season, Tanveer was on song right from the first delivery and bundled the Chennai Super Kings for just 109. He picked 6/14 in four overs, which remains the best bowling performance in T20 cricket. Image source: IPL T20 official website
11 / 11Brendon McCullam's 158 in IPL season 2007-08: Let's recall the man who set the stage on fire in the first-ever match of the IPL. New Zealand's Brendon McCullum came out to bat with then Kolkata Knight Riders' captain Saurav Ganguly and smashed the Royal Challengers bowlers all over the park. McCullum finished at 158, as he rained sixes in the M.A Chinnaswamy stadium. Image source: IPL official website
