The second phase of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021, is set to start from 19th September in the United Arab Emirates. All the franchises are preparing in full gear and have already started their practice sessions. And with the crowds returning back to IPL after almost two years, this season is going to be cracking and more entertaining for all the viewers.
Cricket is a funny game and records are meant to be broken but some records are also meant to be immortal. And every year, the IPL sees a number of records being created and broken. However, the standards have been so high in IPL over the years with all teams being equally competitive, some of the records remain impossible to break still. So, let’s look at three such records which are impossible to break.
1. Yuvraj Singh – 2 hat-tricks in the same season
In the 2009 season, Yuvraj bagged two hat-tricks and became the first player in the IPL with multiple hat-tricks. He registered his first hat-trick in the match against RCB, but eventually, KXIP lost the game. The second one came against Deccan Chargers, which helped his side cross the line. No player other than Yuvraj Singh has taken more than one hat-trick in the same season. Not only this, but Yuvraj also shined with the bat in the 2009 season. He scored 340 runs in 14 matches including two half-centuries.
2. Virat Kohli – 4 centuries and 973 runs in one season
In the 2016 IPL season, Virat Kohli was in a league of his own. Although, he couldn’t win the tournament but broke many records with the bat. Kohli smashed 973 runs in 16 matches for Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB). This also includes 4 centuries and 7 half-centuries. To date, there is hardly anyone who has come even close.
The world may never see a batsman score as many as 4 IPL hundreds in a single season. He scored his first century against Gujarat Lions in just 63 balls, followed by 108* (58) vs Rising Pune Supergiants. The third one also came against Gujarat Lions where he smashed 109 off just 55 balls. The fourth and last one and perhaps his best century in the IPL, where he played with stitches in his hand. Kohli scored an unbelievable knock of 113 off just 50 balls vs Kings XI Punjab.
3. RCB – 49 all-out against KKR, 2017 (Lowest team total)
Kolkata Knight Riders batted first and put 131 on the board against RCB. Defending 131, the Gautam Gambhir led side scripted history by clinching a terrific win. RCB was bundled out for just 49 runs. The trio of Nathan Coulter-Nile, Colin de Grandhomme, and Chris Woakes picked three wickets each as KKR won by 81 runs. No batsman in the RCB lineup got off to double figures.
Although few teams come close, this record is still held by RCB. With the pitches getting more in favor of the batsman (batting decks), this record is unlikely to be broken. Interestingly, Royal Challengers Bangalore hold the record for both the highest as well as the lowest team totals in IPL history.
