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Often, they say, cricket is a funny game. The players involved try their best to overcome the challenges posed by the opposition through their tactical thinking and skills. But sometimes, the pressure of a game or tense match situations can lead to bizarre moments.
A few moments in the Indian Premier League (2022) caught the attention of the cricket fans, which was certainly unusual in its truest sense. In this article, we will look at the top 5 of those bizarre moments in IPL 2022.
1. Ashwin retiring out
The unique moment in the IPL transpired in Match 20 of IPL 2022 between Rajasthan Royals (RR) and Lucknow Super Giants (LSG). Royals got off to an average start with under 70 runs in 10 overs, with the loss of four wickets. The Royals needed a partnership to post a respectable total on the board, and the team management promoted Ashwin to the number six position. Initially, he took a few balls to settle down and hit two sixes and helped the team to accelerate the run rate.
However, he could not time the ball well and failed to strike the ball in the latter half of the innings. Thereafter, he decided to retire himself and invited finisher Riyan Parag at the crease in the 19th over. This move was a tactic to get a flourish for the Royals in the last few balls.
2. Bails lit up but no wicket!
In Match 58 between Rajasthan Royals and Delhi Capitals (DC), David Warner survived despite getting bowled by Yuzvendra Chahal. In the 9th over of DC’s innings, the leg-spinner breached the defence of the Australian batter and the ball hit the zing bails. However, none of the two bails was dislodged from the stumps, which stunned the bowler and the wicketkeeper Sanju Samson. Eventually, Warner remained unbeaten on 52 and helped the team to win the game.
3. Ishan Kishan's unlucky dismissal against LSG
Match 31 of IPL 2022 witnessed the Mumbai Indians (MI) wicketkeeper Ishan Kishan getting dismissed in a bizarre manner against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG). In the 8th over of the game, Ravi Bishnoi delivered a wayward delivery on the off-side. However, Kishan tried to reach out with a one-handed shot, and his edge hit the boots of Quinton de Kock, and the catch was taken on a bounce from Jason Holder.
4. Sanju Samson taking review for a wide
Often cool, the RR captain Sanju Samson was seen displaying his angry side in Match 47 of IPL 2022 against Kolkata Knight Riders. In the last two overs, KKR needed 18 runs. RR bowler Prasidh Krishna went for a total of seven runs, including a wide. Thereafter, Rinku Singh shuffled over the tramline to the off-side yorker but failed to make a contact with the bat. It was deemed to be wide by the umpires, which miffed Samson.
Then the wicketkeeper decided to opt for DRS to protest the call made by the umpire. The review went in vain, as the third umpire can’t overturn an on-field wide call. The game resulted in KKR chasing down and getting a win after five losses on the trot.
5. Marcus Stoinis' outburst after his dismissal
The Match 31 of the tournament between witnessed LSG batter Marcus Stoinis hurling abuses at the umpire after his dismissal in a crunch moment against Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB). With 34 needed off 12 balls, the team needed the finishing abilities of the experienced Aussie batter to fire for the team and win the match.
In the first ball, Josh Hazlewood delivered a widish delivery on the off-side, and Stoinis shuffled a bit but left at the end, expecting a wide call. However, the umpire deemed it as a valid delivery, which left Stoinis making a gesture toward the umpire. In the subsequent ball, Hazlewood sensed the movement of Stoinis and yorked him, with the ball shuffling the pads and rattling the stumps. It resulted in an animated reaction from the talented T20 batter, wherein he hurled angry words at the umpire. LSG eventually lost the match by 18 runs.