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IPL-7's envious... and dubious records: Raina first to score 3,000 runs
The seventh edition of the Indian Premier League is three weeks old and it's time to take stock.
Rediff.com takes a look at some memorable achievements and a few forgettable ones thus far in the tournament.
We start with the best of the lot.
Suresh Raina is the first batsman to amass 3,000 runs in the Indian Premier League.
The Chennai Super Kings batsman reached the landmark during his innings of 35 (when on 21) in the defeat against Kings XI Punjab, at the Barabati stadium, in Cuttack.
The left-handed batsman, who has played for the Chennai franchise throughout, now has a tally of 3014 runs in 107 matches (avg. 34.64).
The 27-year-old has one century and 19 fifties to his credit. He has so far amassed 212 runs from eight matches this season.
In fact, Raina is way ahead in the list of top scorers in the annual T20 extravaganza, overall. Rohit Sharma is the second highest scorer with 2695 runs from 104 games.
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Miller's 17-ball fifty is fastest by a Kings XI player
David Miller is one of the stars in Kings XI Punjab's campaign in this edition.
The South African has so far scored 218 runs in seven matches, at a healthy average (43.6) and enviable strike rate (156). Besides, he has combined well with tournament top scorer Glenn Maxwell (435 runs).
The 24-year-old was in supreme touch in both the matches against Chennai Super Kings, notching a personal landmark in the first meeting between the teams.
In Abu Dhabi, Miller recorded his 17th fifty in T20s - his 18th innings of fifty or more in the format. His 19-ball fifty happened to be the quickest by a Kings XI player and third fastest ever.
The record for the fastest fifty in IPL is still held by Adam Gilchrist. The legendary Australian wicketkeeper-batsman, while playing for the now disbanded Deccan Chargers in 2009, reached the landmark off just 17 balls against Delhi Daredevils.
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20-year-old Sandeep Sharma in record books
If Kings XI Punjab sit at the top of the table at the halfway stage it is because they performed consistently with both bat and ball.
While Maxwell and Miller have more often than not taken care of the batting duties, in bowling they unearthed a new star.
Sandeep Sharma has 10 wickets to his credit in just five matches.
At just 20 years of age, the Patiala-born bowler has put himself into the record books.
He now has 18 IPL wickets from nine matches, the highest ever for any bowler from his first nine matches.
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Kings XI Punjab win eight matches on the trot
Kings XI Punjab started the seventh edition of the Indian Premier League with a bang.
They won their opening five games to set an all-time record.
The Punjab outfit had won their last three games in the previous edition, meaning their fifth straight win of 2014 - against Royal Challengers Bangalore - happened to be their eighth on the trot, a tournament record.
Mumbai Indians ended that enviable streak at the Wankhede stadium last week.
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Chennai and Dhoni maintain their records
When Chennai Super Kings beat Sunrisers Hyderabad in a last-over finish in Sharjah it helped them maintain an unbeaten streak.
The two-time champions maintained their 100 per cent record against the Hyderabad franchise.
Mahendra Singh Dhoni's side have never lost to Sunrisers in three matches.
In the same match, their captain struck the winning boundary, thereby notching a personal milestone.
It was the 27th time Dhoni remained undefeated, a tournament record!
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Star-studded Bangalore register their lowest total ever
Royal Challengers Bangalore's match against Rajasthan Royals was a disappointing affair.
The Bangalore franchise was bowled out for a paltry 70, in just 15 overs. It was their lowest total ever.
For the record, Rajasthan got over the line with seven overs to spare, and six wickets in hand.
Though Bangalore's capitulation was unexpected, their total is not the lowest in the tournament.
That unwanted record incidentally remains with Rajasthan, who were bowled out for 58 in Cape Town, when the IPL was held there in 2009, ironically against Bangalore.
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Gambhir has most ducks by an IPL captain
Kolkata Knight Riders are still in the midst of things and their captain, Gautam Gambhir, is back in form.
However, the tournament began in the worst possible fashion for the left-handed opener.
Gambhir was out for a hat-trick of ducks - against Mumbai Indians, Delhi Daredevils and Royal Challengers Bangalore - in his first three matches.
In Kolkata's fourth match, against Kings XI Punjab, their captain dropped himself to the No. 3 position in a bid to get some form but managed only a single.
He now holds the record of most ducks as IPL captain under his belt, all of them as the Kolkata captain (he had also captained Delhi).
His tally of eight surpassed the previous record of seven ducks, set by former Australian wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist during his tournament tenure.
Gilchrist's seven ducks were spread over two teams, the now defunct Deccan Chargers (4) and Kings XI Punjab (3).
Since then, Gambhir has returned scores of 45, 54 and 69, the last of them coming in a winning effort against Delhi Daredevils.