The only five-for in IPL powerplays belongs to a man better known for red-ball rigour than T20 rampage
Taking a five-wicket haul in a T20 match is impressive, but doing it before fielding restrictions are lifted is extraordinary. Remember IPL 2011 when lanky fast bowler Ishant Sharma, with flowing hair and unpredictable rhythm, became unstoppable?
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Representing the now-defunct Deccan Chargers, he dismantled Kochi Tuskers Kerala's batting order like a hurricane. He took five wickets during the powerplay in just three overs—only 18 balls—marking the only such spell in IPL history.
In IPL 2011, the Deccan Chargers found themselves under pressure. They were struggling at the bottom of the table with just two wins from six games. Batting first in Kochi, they posted a modest 129 for 7—hardly intimidating.
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Kumara Sangakkara's valiant 65, combined with a crucial 90-run partnership with Cameron White, was the only bright spot. However, the real fireworks were yet to come.
With his lion's mane flying and the seam kissed perfectly upright, Ishant Sharma steamed like a storm, ready to burst. In just his first over, he removed Parthiv Patel, Raiphi Gomez, and Brad Hodge—all for ducks.
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By the end of his second over, he had five wickets: Kedar Jadhav trapped in front and Mahela Jayawardene caught behind. It was 11 for 6 in the blink of an eye.
All five wickets came within the first six overs, making him the only bowler in IPL history to claim a five-for solely in the powerplay.
Ishant's spell of 3-0-12-5 remains etched in history as one of the IPL's most ruthless performances.
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At the time, it ranked as the third-best spell in IPL history, surpassed only by Sohail Tanvir's 6 for 14 and Anil Kumble's 5 for 5. And to think—it all happened when his team had barely defended 129!
Despite the historic numbers, Ishant's performance hasn't received the same shelf life in fans' memories. Perhaps because it wasn't a marquee match.
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Perhaps because Kochi Tuskers Kerala disappeared just as quickly as they appeared. But cricket nerds know—the scorecard read 74 all out, with five ducks, and Ishant was the puppeteer of that implosion.
