IPL 2022: Rishi Dhawan’s face guard becomes talking point of PBKS vs CSK

[{"selector":"#anim-00ed20b5-4c7d-4c33-9457-0e580cafa984 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}]

IPL fans were in for a curious surprise when Punjab Kings bowler Rishi Dhawan wore some kind of head protection who came in to bowl the 5th over against Chennai Super Kings on Monday.

[{"selector":"#anim-1490938c-11c0-4d83-9846-56588b2010eb [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(28.90624987200394%, 0, 0) translate(25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.14,.34,.47,.9)","fill":"forwards"}]

Dhawan bowled a decent little 5th over, yielding just 7 runs but his face guard was the talk of the town as netizens wondered what it was.

[{"selector":"#anim-f1ad9553-f6d7-4b54-8584-f6ff4d5256c3 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(46.48437501656089%, 0, 0) translate(25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.14,.34,.47,.9)","fill":"forwards"}]

This is not a unique thing as five years back in 2017, in a T20 game in Hamilton, Otago’s Warren Barnes is said to have become the first bowler to wear a protective visor.

[{"selector":"#anim-df85dc9f-5e9e-4f0d-934f-919c8e4d4131 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-47.779605279002276%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}]

It was a mix between baseball visor and a track cyclist’s helmet, that he had himself designed with the help of his coach.

[{"selector":"#anim-3ccc3285-c78d-4d13-b9a3-57b3bcc25e2e [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(34.367187405140704%, 0, 0) translate(25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.14,.34,.47,.9)","fill":"forwards"}]

Barnes felt he needed the protection as he tended to drop his head on the release of the ball and lost sight for that fraction of a second when a missile might well be launched by the batsman.

[{"selector":"#anim-a9e3e295-ff38-47df-9028-e476d06b956a [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(28.953124872288377%, 0, 0) translate(25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.14,.34,.47,.9)","fill":"forwards"}]

Andrew Ellis, another New Zealand player, also sported a customized helmet in 2019 when bowling.

[{"selector":"#anim-6253baed-72dd-4118-86df-01ebba06ad4c [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(28.90624987200394%, 0, 0) translate(25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.14,.34,.47,.9)","fill":"forwards"}]

Ellis was seen sporting a helmet seen more common in baseball than cricket on the field in the match between Canterbury and Northern Districts in a Ford Trophy match back in 2019.

[{"selector":"#anim-e85d0bce-6329-44d7-a9a6-514e7364c2d4 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(28.90624987200394%, 0, 0) translate(25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.14,.34,.47,.9)","fill":"forwards"}]

Manchester City vs Real Madrid, UEFA Champions League Live Streaming

[{"selector":"#anim-6f95753b-b7d2-4dca-8013-d982b71c4a2c [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] Learn more