IPL Week 2 Review: Lynn Takes The Catch Of IPL

In the first week of IPL 7, Glenn Maxwell dominated the show with his big-hitting prowess. Now, in the second and final week of the UAE leg, gocricket.com takes a look at all the moments which grabbed headlines.

Chennai Super Kings and Rajasthan Royals: A chequered rivalry

Before the start of IPL 7, CSK and RR were in the news for events off the field relating to the IPL spot-fixing scandal. When both teams strode out to the ring of fire in Dubai, they added another chapter to the rivalry. CSK made 140 and Rajasthan fell short by seven runs. Ravindra Jadeja was the star for CSK with an unbeaten 36 and a haul of 4/33. In an eerie way, in the match between these two teams in 2013 in Jaipur which is believed to be in the centre of the scandal mentioned above, CSK had made 141 when the bet was that they would make 140. At that time, Gurunath Meiyappan was watching. Now, with Gurunath sidelined, CSK achieved this score. Odd twist of fate?

Chris Lynn takes the catch of the summer

In a cricket match, seldom has a catch been the talking point. In the match between Royal Challengers Bangalore and Kolkata Knight Riders, Chris Lynn provided the moment of the tournament which helped KKR snatch victory from the jaws of defeat. KKR managed to get to 150 and RCB needed nine runs in the last over. Vinay Kumar, who was part of several last-over finishes in the IPL, gave away just three runs in the first three balls. On the fourth ball, the match changed totally.

Vinay bowled a shortish delivery just outside off. AB de Villiers moved to the off side and pulled it high over deep mid wicket. He had not timed it all that well but with the deep mid wicket boundary at Sharjah been short, it seemed the ball would sail over. Lynn, though, had other plans. His job was made difficult by the fact that he slipped up while lining up for the catch. However, he kept his eyes on the ball, raised his hands and arched back like a gymnast to pouch the catch. With the momentum threatening to take him over the ropes, he stuck out his right hand and ensured that he landed just inches in front of the rope. This moment gave KKR victory by two runs. One of the must watch (video link) moments that should be replayed over and over again

Pollard is the best catcher in the IPL. No, he is not, say CSK

Kieron Pollard has built a reputation that he can pouch just about anything. Every team has felt his brilliance in the field, except CSK. In the 2013 IPL clash between CSK and Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede, Pollard dropped Michael Hussey, then playing for CSK, thrice in three balls off Mitchell Johnson. He managed to pouch a good one off Suresh Raina but the three consecutive dropped catches were a sight to behold.

In the match against CSK in Dubai, Pollard was once again generous in the field for CSK. In the sixth over, Brendon McCullum smashed one past mid off. Pollard leapt with one hand but he could not latch onto it. This was a difficult catch but for Pollard's standards, it could have been taken. However, in the 16th over bowled by Harbhajan Singh, Faf du Plessis slog swept the bowler to deep square leg where Pollard dropped a sitter. It seems Pollard suffers from yellow fever when it comes to catching against CSK.

Kolkata Knight Riders and Rajasthan Royals: A tale of two ties

KKR and RR played out the first ever tie in the 2009 IPL in Cape Town. In that match, both teams ended on 150 and it was Yusuf Pathan who stole the show when he smashed three sixes of Ajantha Mendis to help RR put one over KKR. Five years later and in another neutral venue, KKR and RR played out their second tie. With the scores tied on 152, KKR batted in the one-over eliminator and scored 11. With three needed off the last ball, Steven Smith batted in a way which gave a new definition to smart play under pressure. He knew that in the event of the super over been tied, RR would go through as they had hit more boundaries. He spotted the gap at extra cover and he walked down the track to push it into that gap for a couple. It was the first time that a super over was tied in the IPL. Once again, KKR had failed to get over the line against RR.

Sandeep Sharma shows his mettle

In the IPL, there is a prevalent theme that bat dominates ball to such an extent that bowlers are scarred for life. However, one young gun has thwarted this notion. He was the star performer in the 2012 U-19 World Cup in Australia. With an ability to swing the ball in and away both in the air and off the seam, Sandeep Sharma is a valuable bowling asset for any team. In this edition of the IPL, Sandeep has maintained discipline and he has reaped rich rewards. His performances in the game against Kolkata Knight Riders and Royal Challengers Bangalore, where he picked up three wickets, earned him the Man of the Match award. With an economy rate of 5.63, average of just 8.85 and a strike-rate of just 9.4, Sandeep has added more potency to the already potent Kings XI Punjab.