Bowler to have bowled two maiden overs in an IPL game
While most cricket fans love Test cricket because of its competitive nature, the T20 format is enjoyed by all as it gives quite an adrenaline rush in a few hours of the game.
Mohammed Siraj : Key bowler for RCBT20 format is such a fast game that most batters look to go big in every ball. They prefer to turn on their power-hitting capabilities and smash the ball for boundaries. It becomes an excellent deal for a bowler to get a maiden over in such a game. And it is even spectacular when a bowler gets two maiden overs in a single match in such games.
The feat of bowling two maiden overs in a game has been achieved only twice in the history of the Indian Premier League. Once in the 2020 edition and the second time in this ongoing edition. The most surprising fact is that it has been an achievement for a Royal Challengers Bangalore bowler against Kolkata Knight Riders.
Mohammed Siraj (2020)
Royal Challengers Bangalore pacer Mohammed Siraj created history by becoming the first bowler to bowl two maiden overs in an IPL match. He achieved the feat against Kolkata Knight Riders in Abu Dhabi. Kolkata opted to bat on winning the toss. Mohammed Siraj was in his best form as he conceded no runs in the first two overs bowled by him. To add a feather to the cap were the two wickets of Rahul Tripathi and Nitish Rana that he scalped in two consecutive balls. That was a terrible day for Kolkata, as they found themselves reduced to 14/4 in a few overs.
Indian commentator Harsha Bhogle praised Siraj for scripting history by saying, "We just saw back-to-back centuries in an IPL for the first time recently. Now, back-to-back maiden overs for the first time from Mohd Siraj (via @mohanstatsman)."
Harshal Patel (2022)
In the ongoing season, fellow RCB pacer Harshal Patel equalled the record for the most maiden overs bowled in an IPL inning with back-to-back maiden overs against Kolkata Knight Riders. Skipper Faf du Plessis won the toss to bowl first. Akash Deep, Mohammed Siraj, and Wanindu Hasaranga were sensational in scalping wickets. In contrast, Harshal Patel made an impressive start by dismissing Sam Billings in his first over while conceding no runs. He followed it with another maiden and a big wicket of Andre Russell. The two maiden overs by him proved to be the match's turning point as they helped apply brakes to the KKR innings. The team got bowled out for 128, a target for which RCB had initial hiccups at the top order, but later, Dinesh Karthik and Harshal Patel helped end the inning by hitting two vital fours and winning it for the team