Over the years, Indian Premier League (IPL) has witnessed many breathtaking cameos. Sri Lankan wicketkeeper-batter Bhanuka Rajapaksa became the latest entrant on the list with an impact performance in powerplay overs for Punjab Kings (PBKS) against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR).
The wicketkeeper-batter played a cameo of 31 off just nine deliveries. Bhanuka Rajapaksa's short stay at the crease included three sixes and fours each. He scored at a splendid strike rate of 344.44. He broke former PBKS skipper KL Rahul's record. Rahul had scored 51 runs off 16 deliveries at a strike rate of 318.75 for the Punjab franchise (then Kings XI Punjab) against Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals) in the 2018 edition of the tournament.
The overall record belongs to former South African cricket Chris Morris. For Delhi franchise, he scored an unbeaten 38 off nine deliveries against now-defunct Rising Pune Supergiants in IPL 2017. Bhanuka Rajapaksa failed to make into the top 10 list by less than a couple of points in strike rate.
The Sri Lankan batter came into bat in the second over after Umesh Yadav removed PBKS skipper Mayank Agarwal.
Bhanuka Rajapaksa got off the mark with a boundary off the last ball of second over bowled by Tim Southee.
The left-handed batter scored another boundary in the next over. He went ballistic against young KKR pacer Shivam Mavi. He started off the over with a boundary followed by a hat-trick sixes. However, Mavi had the last laugh as he got the wicket off the fifth ball of the fourth over.
Bhanuka Rajapaksa picked by PBKS for a base price of Rs 50 lakh. The 30-year-old made an impressive IPL debut for in PBKS’ run chase against Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB).
In the previous game he scored 43 off 22 deliveries including two fours and four sixes at a strike rate of 195.45. If Bhanuka Rajapaksa continues to score quickly, he will have Andre Russell's IPL record of highest strike rate in sights.
It has been a fairytale turnaround for the Sri Lankan batter. Earlier this year, he had announced retirement from all forms of cricket only to take it back after few days.
