IPL 2018: 4 most unexpected things to have happened so far

Every edition of the IPL throws up unexpected occurrences and surprises for the viewers. These surprises come in the form of players performing well above (or below) expectations, peculiar instances on and off-the-field, and in many other ways.

This edition of the IPL has been no different in this regard, and this slideshow looks at five such unexpected things which may have surprised audiences around the world.

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#4 Hardik Pandya's bowling

Before the start of this year's IPL, Hardik Pandya had taken 10 wickets in the IPL in the 37 matches in which he had played. This season, in a mere 9 innings, the all-rounder from Baroda has already taken 14 wickets and even been the leading wicket-taker in the tournament at one point.

Further, instead of giving the odd over here and there like he used to earlier, Pandya is consistently giving his captain four overs in every single game. Pandya's new-found bowling form augurs well for Indian cricket, and one would hope that this continues and he finally becomes the genuine fast bowling all-rounder Indian cricket has so desperately needed for the past many years.

#3 Gautam Gambhir stepping down

Gambhir was quick to take the blame

Much was expected from Gautam Gambhir on his return to the Delhi Daredevils. For the Delhi Daredevils, it could have been the fairytale turnaround that they had been hoping for years, and for Gautam Gambhir, it could have been a perfect way to cap off his illustrious career; however, it was not meant to be.

Midway through the tournament, with the Daredevils having won only one game out a total of six and looking at yet another poor season, Gambhir decided he was to be held accountable and took some responsibility by resigning from the captaincy and naming Shreyas Iyer as his successor (and effectively dropping himself from the team).

Perhaps even more astonishingly, Gambhir agreed to forego his entire fee for the season. In this day and age, with cricket becoming increasingly commercial, and players becoming increasingly sensitive and defensive of criticism, this decision by Gambhir surprised all and impressed many.

#2 Rayudu's resurgence

Rayudu last played for India in 2016

Ambati Rayudu, who only played five matches in the entirety of last year's IPL, is currently the Orange Cap holder, and there are calls for him to be recalled to the Indian team. Before the start of this season, one would have been forgiven for questioning whether Rayudu would even make the CSK 11.

However, Rayudu has grabbed his opportunity with both hands, and shown batting prowess like fans have never seen before from him. In 10 matches so far, Rayudu has made 423 runs at an average of 42.3.

More than just the runs, it is the manner in which Rayudu has got the runs which has stunned fans the most: he has got his runs at a strike rate of 151, and he has completely dominated bowling attacks.

At 32, Rayudu may not even get this international call-up which people are calling for, but he surely is playing some of the best cricket of his life and simultaneously making a case for his inclusion in the national set-up.

#1 'Captain Cool' back at his batting best

Dhoni is back to his best

Coming into the IPL, Dhoni was the topic of a lot of debates and discussions: there were talks on how Dhoni no longer merited a place in the T20 international (and potentially even ODI) side, how his best days were past him, and how his star status was the only factor keeping him in the side.

However, in the space of just over a month, this legend of Indian cricket has been able to dispel all this talk. Having arguably his best IPL to date, Dhoni has scored 360 runs in 10 innings at an average of a whopping 90 and strike rate of 165.89.

Dhoni, who has been criticised heavily for his inability to get a move on in recent years, is playing like the Dhoni of old; he is smashing sixes and putting the opposition on ball one. With Dhoni's spot in the team for the 2019 World Cup virtually guaranteed, this unexpected renaissance of Mahendra Singh Dhoni can only mean good things for Indian cricket.