Each IPL launches new stars. We try to go beyond the numbers and look at the impact players have had…
Shubman Gill: Do we need to discuss its inclusion? With the orange cap on his head, three centuries and an outstanding stick, the GT opener absolutely lit up the IPL. What stood out was his ability to deliver under pressure and the ease with which he continued to hit those sixes.
Matches: 16, series: 851, strike rate: 156.43
Yashasvi Jaiswal: Easily the breakout player of this IPL. The Rajasthan Royals’ southpaw approach was a breath of fresh air. What stood out was his ability to mix silky punches with powerful ones.
M: 14, Strokes: 625, SR: 163.61
Faf Du Plessis (captain): The South African gets better with age and even held the Cap Orange for a while this season. If RCB had made the last four, it would have been a close fight between him and Gill. Faf opened for RCB but is also good at No.3. His ability to generate power and act as an anchor when needed has made him a standout player. It’s also hard to see anyone beyond him as captain.
M: 14, Strokes: 730, SR: 153.68
Suryakumar Yadav: Virat Kohli scored more points than him but Surya was absolutely brilliant in the middle order for Mumbai Indians. His performances helped MI turn around and finish third in the competition.
M: 16, Strokes: 605, SR: 181.13
Nicholas Poran (wicket keeper): It’s a selection that’s going to raise some eyebrows, but there haven’t been enough good performances from the wicketkeeper hitters in this IPL. Pooran has played a few game winners for Lucknow Super Giants and it’s his ability to make an impact that keeps him ahead Ichan Kishan. The fact that MS Dhoni barely struck rules it out.
M: 15, Strokes: 358, SR: 172.94
Rinku Singh: One of the highlights of this year’s IPL was the left-handed KKR’s five-six on five-ball against Gujarat Titans. Rinku has shown the ability to keep calm under pressure and suddenly pull out the big punch when needed. Another player who can be an integral part of India’s T20 setup in the coming days.
M: 14, Strokes: 474, SR: 149.52
Rashid Khan: Since he started playing in the IPL, there has hardly been a year where he hasn’t been in the top XI. The Gujarat Titans leggie got wickets, stopped runs in the middle and on top of that also showed his ability with the bat with some unorthodox strikes. In the era of “Impact” submarines, he is probably the only all-rounder to stand out.
M: 16, weeks: 27, economy rate: 7.93
Mohammad Chami: Another veteran who gets better with age. He got wickets in the Powerplay and also delivered in the death overs. He was a captain’s dream and it is impossible to look past him as a spearhead.
M: 16, Wkts: 28, ER: 7.98
Mohammad Siraj: Sometimes when a team retires early, performances go unnoticed. Siraj may have fewer wickets than someone like a Tushar Deshpande, but it’s his save rate that makes him a better bowler. And Siraj has also become a good death thrower.
M: 14, Wkts: 19, ER: 7.5
Youzvendra Chahal: Easily the best Indian spinner of this IPL. He’s probably the only spinner other than Rashid who can play the death. His cunning variations, big heart and ability to take wickets once again proved essential for the Rajasthan Royals.
M: 14, Wkts: 21, ER: 8.17
Mathesha Pathirana: The new Lasith Malinga has arrived. He joined the CSK team late and only played 11 games (before the final), but the impact he had was immense. In virtually every game, Dhoni brought it on after the first 10 overs and the Lankan slinger stood out with his yorkers and clever change of pace.
M: 11, Wkts: 17, ER: 7.72
Impact captions: Ravindra Jadeja, Akash Madhwal, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Piyush Chawla
Shubman Gill: Do we need to discuss its inclusion? With the orange cap on his head, three centuries and an outstanding stick, the GT opener absolutely lit up the IPL. What stood out was his ability to deliver under pressure and the ease with which he continued to hit those sixes.
Matches: 16, series: 851, strike rate: 156.43
Yashasvi Jaiswal: Easily the breakout player of this IPL. The Rajasthan Royals’ southpaw approach was a breath of fresh air. What stood out was his ability to mix silky punches with powerful ones.
M: 14, Strokes: 625, SR: 163.61
Faf Du Plessis (captain): The South African gets better with age and even held the Cap Orange for a while this season. If RCB had made the last four, it would have been a close fight between him and Gill. Faf opened for RCB but is also good at No.3. His ability to generate power and act as an anchor when needed has made him a standout player. It’s also hard to see anyone beyond him as captain.
M: 14, Strokes: 730, SR: 153.68
Suryakumar Yadav: Virat Kohli scored more points than him but Surya was absolutely brilliant in the middle order for Mumbai Indians. His performances helped MI turn around and finish third in the competition.
M: 16, Strokes: 605, SR: 181.13
Nicholas Poran (wicket keeper): It’s a selection that’s going to raise some eyebrows, but there haven’t been enough good performances from the wicketkeeper hitters in this IPL. Pooran has played a few game winners for Lucknow Super Giants and it’s his ability to make an impact that keeps him ahead Ichan Kishan. The fact that MS Dhoni barely struck rules it out.
M: 15, Strokes: 358, SR: 172.94
Rinku Singh: One of the highlights of this year’s IPL was the left-handed KKR’s five-six on five-ball against Gujarat Titans. Rinku has shown the ability to keep calm under pressure and suddenly pull out the big punch when needed. Another player who can be an integral part of India’s T20 setup in the coming days.
M: 14, Strokes: 474, SR: 149.52
Rashid Khan: Since he started playing in the IPL, there has hardly been a year where he hasn’t been in the top XI. The Gujarat Titans leggie got wickets, stopped runs in the middle and on top of that also showed his ability with the bat with some unorthodox strikes. In the era of “Impact” submarines, he is probably the only all-rounder to stand out.
M: 16, weeks: 27, economy rate: 7.93
Mohammad Chami: Another veteran who gets better with age. He got wickets in the Powerplay and also delivered in the death overs. He was a captain’s dream and it is impossible to look past him as a spearhead.
M: 16, Wkts: 28, ER: 7.98
Mohammad Siraj: Sometimes when a team retires early, performances go unnoticed. Siraj may have fewer wickets than someone like a Tushar Deshpande, but it’s his save rate that makes him a better bowler. And Siraj has also become a good death thrower.
M: 14, Wkts: 19, ER: 7.5
Youzvendra Chahal: Easily the best Indian spinner of this IPL. He’s probably the only spinner other than Rashid who can play the death. His cunning variations, big heart and ability to take wickets once again proved essential for the Rajasthan Royals.
M: 14, Wkts: 21, ER: 8.17
Mathesha Pathirana: The new Lasith Malinga has arrived. He joined the CSK team late and only played 11 games (before the final), but the impact he had was immense. In virtually every game, Dhoni brought it on after the first 10 overs and the Lankan slinger stood out with his yorkers and clever change of pace.
M: 11, Wkts: 17, ER: 7.72
Impact captions: Ravindra Jadeja, Akash Madhwal, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Piyush Chawla
