Manish Pandey played an absolute blinder of an innings as Kolkata Knight Riders held their nerves to beat a spirited Kings XI Punjab by three wickets in an exhilarating summit clash to win IPL 7
Manish Pandey played an absolute blinder of an innings as Kolkata Knight Riders held their nerves to beat a spirited Kings XI Punjab by three wickets in an exhilarating summit clash to win the seventh edition of the Indian Premier League and their second overall. As the season pulled on the curtains, there were many candidates who stood out as the best of the lot. In OUR take on the season ending IPL Awards, here are our ‘handpicked’ candidates who were the rightful owners of this award category.
Sanskaari Skipper Award:
Virat Kohli (Royal Challengers Bangalore)
The Delhi-born batsman might be under the criticism of saying ‘too much’ on the field but for a change, Virat Kohli looked calm and composed at this year’s IPL. The Indian vice-captain had very few words to say and thus he is our winner for the ‘Best Sanskaari Captain’ award.
WWE Wannabes Award:
Mitchell Starc (Royal Challengers Bangalore)/Kieron Pollard (Mumbai Indians)
When Mumbai Indians took on the Royal Challengers Bangalore at the Wankhede Stadium, West Indian Kieron Pollard seemed to have lost his cool when RCB bowler Mitchell Starc said to a word or two to him. The verbal spat between the duo was a hit on the web and thus the two men are the worthy winners for the ‘WWE Wannabes’ Award.
Yeh Fevicol Ka Jod Hai Award:
Kieron Pollard (Mumbai Indians)
Mumbai Indians have been benefitted by the presence of Kieron Pollard not only through his batting and bowling but fielding as well. The lanky West Indian walks away with the ‘Fevicol Ka Jod Hai’ Award for his stunner against the Rajasthan Royals. Sorry Chris Lynn, he deserved it!
Talk Less BAT Jyada Award:
Yusuf Pathan (Kolkata Knight Riders)
Before reaching the Indian shores, Yusuf Pathan did very less to appease his critics as the Baroda man failed to light up the scores. But soon, everything changed as Yusuf’s blitzkrieg was the talk of the town that included a 22-ball 72 which sent the Kolkata Knight Riders into second-place in the points table.
Old Is Gold Award:
Pravin Tambe (Rajasthan Royals)/Virender Sehwag (Kings XI Punjab)
Age was just a number for this two men as they proved it on the field – RR’s Pravin Tambe and KXIP’s Virender Sehwag. While Tambe created chipped in with wickets including a hattrick, Sehwag bludgeoned his way to the top including a crackling hundred against Chennai. And they said, T20 was for younger men!
Virar Local Award:
Dale Steyn (Sunrisers Hyderabad)
SRH’s Dale Steyn has been their key bowler throughout the campaign and for his sheer fast pace, the South African is the worthy winner of the ‘Virar Local Award’. PS: If you do not know what’s a Virar local train, experience it!
Suraaksha Award:
Wriddhiman Saha (Kings XI Punjab)
For the past few seasons, Wriddhiman Saha has been an understudy to Indian captain and wicket-keeper MS Dhoni as far as the Tests are concerned. Saha became the first player to score a century in an IPL final and thus proved his talent on the bigger stage. His wicket-keeping has also been excellent and thus earning this rightful award from us!
Lapko Toh Japko Award:
Faf du Plessis (Chennai Super Kings)
CSK’s Faf du Plessis has been involved in a couple of brilliant catches in this year’s IPL and that’s why this was a no-brainer to award the Protea with this ‘prestigious’ award!
The Indian Premier League may or may not have its own version of the Awards but here’s our take on it. Signed, sealed and delivered!
