As is expected in a long tournament such as the Indian Premier League, individuals made their presence felt at various phases, while some displayed erratic form. The duration of the tournament is such that it allows quality players enough time to recover. The batting sensation in the last few Indian domestic seasons — Shreyas Iyer — found the going tough initially, but towards the business end of the league phase, regained form to display his attacking and match-winning capabilities. There were only a handful of players who put in impressive performances consistently, across the season. Here is a look at some of them:
The seamer has topped the wicket-takers’ charts for the second year in a row, and that too, with an impressive economy rate. Bhuvneshwar was one of the key men who ensured another impressive run for the Sunrisers Hyderabad in the IPL. He took 26 wickets (including a five-wicket haul) at an economy rate of 7.05 runs per over.
The Australian opener and captain of Sunrisers engaged in a duet with his strike bowler to perform similar feats with the bat. Warner has topped the run charts, with a century and four fifties. And that too, at an impressive strike-rate of 141.81. His 59-ball 126 —the highlight of his IPL season — was a whirlwind knock that took Sunrisers to an authoritative win over Kolkata Knight Riders.
The left-arm spinner may not have represented a successful side in Royal Challengers Bangalore, but he quietly ensured excellent statistics for himself. In 12 matches, he took 16 wickets at an economy rate of 6.12, which ensured an overall average of 12.31. Royal Challengers’ batting, however, failed spectacularly, and it finished at the bottom of the points table.
Gambhir was Knight Riders’ go-to man with the bat, shining like Warner in most games. He enjoyed a fruitful opening partnership for a few matches with Sunil Narine. With 498 runs in 16 matches, he is the second highest run-getter this season.
The left-arm fast bowler was another prolific wicket-taker (24) with an impressive economy rate (7.02). Against Sunrisers late in the group stage, he took a five-for - with a hat-trick in the final over — to deliver Rising Pune Supergiant a come-from-behind victory. He has been a key element in Supergiant’s rise this season.
The South African is the only batsman to have scored two centuries this season. And attacking centuries they were, too, belying his ‘Test-fit’ exterior. In 10 matches, the opener scored 420 runs at an average of 60. All this at a strike-rate of 145.83, higher than table-topper Warner.
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