The Indian Premier League (IPL) is one of the most thrilling cricket leagues on the planet and has produced some memorable moments this season. Who can forget Vipraj Nagam and Ashutosh Sharma working so well together to pull off a surprise win against Lucknow Super Giants? Or the Kolkata Knight Riders losing seven consecutive wickets and notching up just 23 runs, when all they needed were 40 runs in 11 overs, against the Punjab Kings? And what about Abishek Sharma surviving a no-ball and then scoring a record 141 off 55 deliveries, a league record from an Indian batter?
So yes, it’s been an exciting season and it’s not over yet. Teams are battling it out to reach the playoffs and, failing that, Eliminator 1, to decide who will play in the final on May 25. Naturally, every player on the oval will be giving everything they’ve got to help their teams on the road to the final. But who in the league is playing exceptionally well?
Suryakumar Yadav
Hard-hitting batsman Suryakumar Yadav, of the Mumbai Indians, is having a tremendous season. The captain of the Indian T20 national squad has amassed 510 runs in 12 matches and built a strike rate of 170.56 so far. That includes three 50s, fifty-one 4s and twenty-six 6s. His impressive form has resulted in the Mumbai Indians being joint favourites to win the competition according to Stake. So if you think Yadav is the man to lead them to victory, take advantage of a Stake bonus code available in India and try your luck. The Indians dropped a game to the Gujarat Titans recently, one which saw the Gujarat team move to the top of the IPL, but the Mumbai side still look strong. Their batting ace never allows opponents’ mistakes to go unpunished when he’s in front of the wicket. A dropped catch on Yadav in early double digits allowed the Mumbai man to chalk up 35 points before the Titans finally dispensed with him.
Sai Sudharsan
Not far behind Yadav is Titans batsman Sai Sudharsan, another player who means business when guarding the wicket. The Chennai-born left-hand batter and Indian international has posted 509 points for his team this season, including a high score of 82, five half-centuries, fifty-six 4s, and sixteen 6s.
Although the Indians forced Sudharsan into a short stay in front of the wicket in their recent clash with the Titans, the team will feel this is only a minor glitch. Sudharsan has been consistent throughout the season and is making a name for himself as a strong opening batter. In the Titans’ battle against Rajasthan Royals, Sudharsan hit 82, including his third half-century in a row. Eight 4s and three 6s from 53 balls were also part of the tally.
Prasidh Krishna
Gujarat Titans fast bowler Prasidh Krishna is topping the table in bowlers’ performance this season. This season, Krishna has taken 20 wickets for the team and posted a bowling average of just 16.90, showing batters can only withstand the raw pace and extra bounce he injects into his delivery for a short time before they’re on the way back to the dressing room. His striking average stands at 12.90 and he’s posted a 4W once this season.
Krishna played an instrumental part in the Titans’ victory that ended the Indians’ six-match unbeaten streak and restored the Gujarat side’s position at the top of the table before the Indians toppled them from the top spot later in the season. In that game, he took a wicket as the Titans started to gain the edge and really dish out the pain for the Indians.
Noor Ahmad
Afghan spin bowler Noor Ahmad is pushing Prasidh Krishna for the purple cap. Having made quite a splash in his debut season in the IPL (2023), where he chalked up 16 wickets for the Titans, Ahmad is now delivering for the Chennai Super Kings, having also taken 20 wickets so far this season and keeping his average down to 12.90. Like Krishna, Ahmad is relatively quick to take wickets, delivering 12.90 balls on average before sending batters back to the dressing room.
Recently, Chennai put a dent in the Kolkata Knight Riders’ hopes of making it into the playoffs and Ahmad was there to inflict some of the punishment. The former Titans man delivered an outstanding 4-31, stopping the defending champions from gathering momentum. The Super Kings are up against the Rajasthan Royals next, who won’t be looking forward to facing them: Ahmad has taken at least one wicket in his last four games.
IPL players are delivering some splendid performances for their teams and for sports fans. Other players who are on top of their game this season include Royal Challengers Bengaluru bowler Josh Hazlewood, who’s helped himself to 18 wickets this season, and Gujarat Titans batter Shubman Gil, who has amassed 509 runs so far.
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