To many the first day of the new month of April would’ve seemed like a refreshing new start for the Mumbai Indians’s campaign in the IPL’s latest season.
But not long after Trent Boult held the shiny white ball in his hands at the Wankhede that it became apparent that this was to be a proper April Fool’s day for the home side.
Boult ensures MI the fools on April Fool’s day
Perceptibly pumped to play their maiden home contest amid a capacity crowd that was brimming with enthusiasm, Mumbai’s electrifying atmosphere was dulled by the storming form of Trent Boult.
And it didn’t take too long for the entire complexion of the game to change.
A few hours ago, Mumbai Indians were Boulted by a commanding effort by a fast bowler who’s as talented as he’s often under appreciated.
In a game where it’s one thing to dismiss an opening batter for a duck and something quite other to do so for a first-ball-dismissal, Trent Boult gave MI no chance, whatsoever, to even attempt a comeback of sorts in the game.
Here was a power-packed performer wreaking havoc inside the PowerPlay, bringing about the downfall of the top and middle order all on his own.
It’s not everyday that Rohit Sharma gets out for a duck, but when he couldn’t manage to evade the peach of a delivery pitched just outside his off, he garnered his seventeenth IPL duck.
All courtesy Trent Boult’s genius!
This, however, was just the start; more destruction was on its way.
Newcomer to the crease, Dhir didn’t last too long either; a glowing in-swinger deflating him completely on the 22 yards.
As Mumbai were rocked to the back foot, Boult was only ascending in his craft.
While it was slightly unusual to see substitution of an impact player that early into an inning, newly-deployed Dewald Brevis, too couldn’t fight for a change.
Lasting for a total sum shy of five minutes including his walk to and fro the dugout, the ebullient Protea was caught at point by Trent Boult’s new ball partner, interestingly also a Protea: Nandre Burger.
As another Mumbai Indians batter bit the dust, the third batsman walked back for a first ball dismissal.
Bowling real fast, hitting the deck hard, Boult single handedly changed the mood in the Mumbai camp.
In so doing, he really played like a Royal, true to the symbolic essence of his famed IPL franchise.
The left armer’s ability to generate pace and bowl almost faultlessly put into focus a stat, that for a change, did remind the batting-obsessed about the ubiquity of bowlers.
A remarkable feat
The big question popped into countless minds, some struggling to grapple with the scoreboard revelation while many others simply admiring Trent Boult with awe.
“Just how many first over IPL wickets does Trent Boult have to his name”?
Source– Twitter / X
In a game where we easily remember Virat Kohli’s fifty count or the number of times he’s alone saved the RCB and where we cannot get over MS Dhoni’s mind boggling death over sixes, it’s interesting to reflect upon the kind of impact Boult has had in a game that doesn’t reserve much for the bowler.
As on date, Trent Boult has captured no fewer than 25 first over wickets. He’s done so at an admirable average of 17.
Which alone explains his impact and effect on the team that often has to face his ire.
An uncomplicated cricketer who loves the game, true to the DNA of the average Rajasthan Royals contender, Boult’s already peaking despite these being early days.
Should he continue to bowl in the sublime manner in which he’s at the moment, he’d have done his bit to ensure RR’s table topping streak, lasts for quite some time. And what more could the fans, whether in Bikaner, Jodhpur, Bharatpur, Jaisalmer or Jaipur, ask for?