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IPL 9: Memorable moments from week 6

May 25, 2016 09:01 IST

Virat Kohli, with the IPL final left to play, could become the first batman in the history of T20 cricket to score 1,000 runs in a single tournament.

If the Gujarat Lions, Royal Challengers Bangalore, the Hyderabad Sunrisers and the Kolkata Knight Riders made it to the knock-out rounds, it was because of some terrific individual performances.

Aruneel Sadadekar/Rediff.com picks the top 5 performances from Week 6.

Unstoppable Virat!

75 not out vs KKR, 113 vs Kings XI Punjab, 54 not out vs Delhi Daredevils

IMAGE: Virat Kohli acknowledges the cheers after his 113 against the Kings XI Punjab. All Photographs: BCCI.

Virat Kohli is batting on a different planet altogether!

The RCB skipper has dominated the batting charts this season.

Week 6 began with his unbeaten 75, which powered RCB past KKR.

He followed it up with a mindboggling 113, off only 50 balls, against KXIP in a rain curtailed game to complete a record 4th century in IPL 9.

Then he led his team to the second spot in the league table with an unbeaten 54 off 45 balls against the Delhi Daredevils in the last league game.

Kohli, with the IPL final left to play, could become the first batman in the history of T20 cricket to score 1,000 runs in a single tournament.

Smith's magic lays KKR low

4/8 vs KKR, May 19, Kanpur

IMAGE: Dwayne Smith after taking Manish Pandey's wicket.

The big-hitting Dwayne Smith performed some magic tricks with the ball against KKR.

The West Indies all-rounder snared 4 crucial wickets, conceding just four runs, to reduce KKR to 124/8 for eight..

The Gujarat Lions chased down the target in just 13.3 overs, for a 6 wicket victory.

Raina's 50 powers Lions to the top

58 not out vs Mumbai Indians, May 21, Kanpur

IMAGE: Suresh Raina on the attack against the Mumbai Indians.

If Smith did it with the ball, skipper Suresh Raina demolished KKR with a fluent 36-ball 53.

It was Raina's effort in the next game (Gujarat's last league game) against the Mumbai Indians that helped his side seal the top spot in the eight-team league.

Chasing a challenging 173 runs, Raina scored 58 off just 36 balls to guide the Lions home.

Narine's treble helps KKR stay in the hunt

3/26 vs Sunrisers Hyderabad, May 22, Kolkata

IMAGE: Mystery spinner Sunil Narine celebrates Sunrisers Hyderabad Captain David Warner's wicket.

After losing to the Gujarat Lions, KKR needed to win their last league game against Sunrisers Hyderabad.

Defending a challenging 172 runs, mystery spinner Sunil Narine delivered the knock-out punch with 3 crucial wickets.

When he dismissed the dangerous David Warner early, Narine put paid to the Sunrisers' hopes of taking the top spot.

Dhoni's heroics salvage Pune's pride

32-ball 64 not out vs KXIP, May 21, Visakhapatnam

IMAGE: Mahendra Singh Dhoni hits a six against KXIP.

This has been his worst IPL season, but Mahendra Singh Dhoni reminded everyone of his fantastic finishing skills against the Kings XI Punjab in their last league game.

With 23 needed off the last over, Dhoni hit a last ball six to save Pune the humiliation of finishing at the bottom.

Chasing 173, Pune never looked in contention, but Dhoni played the lone ranger with an unbeaten 32-ball 64 to secure an improbable victory for the IPL's new franchise.

Aruneel Sadadekar