Double-header days in the Indian Premier League usually take a lot out of you, especially if the finishes end up being tight. But Saturday, April 6, at the 2019 IPL was an exception in that regard.

First, Kings XI Punjab somehow ended up losing after being 100-2 after 14 overs, in a chase of 161. Then, Mumbai Indians’ batsmen scratched around and limped to 97-7 in 18 overs, only for Sunrisers Hyderabad to find a way to do a lot worse and lose by 40 runs. [Side note: Kieron Pollard finally put behind a woeful season – in a match where all his team-mates struggled, no less – cutting loose in the last two overs, as though he had suddenly discovered the vagaries of a difficult Hyderabad surface.]

At the end of it, CSK sat atop the table, like the bosses they are, with Hyderabad trailing them. Mumbai, with three wins in five matches, are in the mid-table, with Punjab one spot behind in fifth place.

What’s hot

Alzarri Joseph. If ever there was a lesson in creating first impressions, this was it. The West Indies fast bowler showed up in the IPL for the first time and got straight down to business, rewriting the record books.

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Mumbai had lost Adam Milne, who had pulled out of the tournament with a swollen heel. Then, Lasith Malinga flew back home to play in Sri Lanka’s domestic 50-over competition, as per the SLC’s mandate to the pacer ahead of the 2019 World Cup. But Joseph answered Mumbai’s depleted fast bowling stocks with a performance for the ages.

And to think he had just 136 runs to defend against a Hyderabad line-up featuring David Warner and Jonny Bairstow at the top. Joseph didn’t let any of those reputations deter him. His party began when Warner, the Orange Cap holder, dragged one back onto the stumps. Joseph bagged his wickets with a clever mix of full, short and length balls. It tied in well with his sharp lines and searing pace. By the time he was done, he had 6-12 – the best figures in IPL history – and Hyderabad rolled over for 96.

What’s not

Letting your guard down. Kings XI Punjab were 91-2 after 12 overs of a 161-run chase. In the modern scheme of things, that is a straightforward equation. In other words, they simply had no business losing from there.

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But for some reason, KL Rahul and Sarfaraz Khan, who had rescued them from 7-2, opted to cool down. Between overs 13 and 17, Punjab collected 24 runs, happy to knock the ball around. It allowed Chennai’s spinners to seize control and dictate the pace of the chase.

It took the scoreboard reading “46 required off 18” for the batsmen to wake up. You know what comes next. An attempt at a big shot! Rahul tried to hoick Scott Kuggeleijn, with absolutely no timing, and holed out to Ravindra Jadeja at deep midwicket. Having found the ideal pace of scoring only to release it, Punjab tried all they could to rediscover it. It gave them a 22-run defeat.

What they said

“I play for wins, not for the limelight. It’s a good feeling, but I want to win this tournament, not just personal performances.”

– Alzarri Joseph

What they didn’t say

“That’s not how it’s done, people.”

– MS Dhoni on taking the game deep, after watching Punjab’s slowdown

What next

Royal Challengers Laggards Bangalore will take on Delhi Capitals at home. Delhi changed their team name at the start of the season, and at least have something to show for it. After this season, it seems like Bangalore will have to change their name. The current one simply doesn’t do justice to their performances.

In the second game, Rajasthan Royals will face Kolkata Knight Riders in Jaipur.

Related tags:

Chennai Super KingsKings Xi PunjabMumbai IndiansSunrisers Hyderabad Alzarri Joseph