Five knocks that established Indian T20 League as the most entertaining league

The Indian T20 League has become a major part of the cricketing calendar for cricket fanatics. Every cricketer wishes to be a part of this gigantic tournament. Even the audience is glued to the screen for two months. The quality of the games and the performances of the players is what makes the event so entertaining. Over the years, several breathtaking knocks have been played in the league, but a few have managed to stay in the hearts of the fans longer than others. Here are the best knocks that established the Indian T20 League as the most entertaining league.

Brendon McCullum's opening thriller

Brendon McCullum started the Indian T20 League with a bang. He walked in to bat with Sourav Ganguly against Bangalore in the season opener in 2008. The powerful player scored 158 runs in 73 balls at massive a strike rate of 216. In his innings, he sent 10 balls to the boundary and 13 balls over the rope. This helped them reach 222 runs in the first innings, which they easily defended.

The Gayle storm

The Universe Boss has played a huge role in making the Indian T20 League what it is today. He has had some great performances over the years, but his knock of 175 runs is considered the best. Playing for Bangalore against Pune, he brought a storm at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in 2013. The West Indian reached 175 in just 66 balls with a strike rate of 265. He hit 13 fours and 17 sixes in the innings. This, to date, remains the highest score, not just in the tournament, but in all T20 games.

The Kohli-De Villiers duo

Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers share great comradery. Playing for Bangalore, these two have developed a great friendship. This is also visible on the pitch, whenever they bat together. Playing against Gujarat in 2016, the due added 229 runs, the highest partnership in the tournament's history. While Virat scored 109 in 52 balls at a strike rate of 198, AB remained not out at 129 in 52 balls at a strike rate of 248.

Kieron Pollard the saviour

Chasing a huge target of 219 runs against Chennai in 2021, Mumbai had a decent start but could not maintain the same momentum in the middle. Kieron Pollard walked in to bat at number five in the 10th over when Mumbai needed 138 runs to win. This target seemed very difficult to reach at the time. Pollard took the responsibility to solely take the team through. He hit six fours and eight sixes in his innings of 87 runs from 34 balls. He played with a strike rate of 255 to win the match. This is the best of many miracles that Kieron Pollard has produced for Mumbai.

The Chinna Thala supremacy

Playing against Punjab in the Qualifier in 2014, Chennai was chasing 227. They needed a good start to win the match and qualify for the final. Despite losing two quick wickets, Suresh Raina did extremely well to keep the hopes alive in the powerplay. He scored 87 runs in 25 balls before he was run out by George Bailey on the first ball after the powerplay. Had he not been run-out, Raina could have helped Chennai chase the target. Chennai fell short by 24 runs and failed to qualify.