Though the ninth version of the IPL haven’t hit the expected gear so far, as most of the stands were found empty during the matches but we have seen some best individual brilliance.
Before we step into the third week of the cash-rich league, let’s see the performance of the players how they fared in the second week of the tournament.
David Warner
The devastating opener has started the week with a bang against Mumbai Indians, scoring a match-winning 90 that helped the team to register their first win of the season.
The dangerous Warner maintained the rich range of form and scored back to back half centuries against Kings XI Punjab and Gujarat Lions. Sunrisers batted second in all the matches they played this week Warner has contributed maximum runs with the bat in achieving the team total.
The Sunrisers are relying on their skipper so much and it will be interesting to see how long Warner carries the team forward.
Virat Kohli
No bowler would want to bowl against Virat Kohli at this moment, considering the sparkling form that he is maintaining since the start of the year. The Indian Test captain has hit three half centuries and a blistering hundred in the five innings he played. He showed why he is a world class product against Gujarat Lions in a tough wicket.
Kohli is a huge challenge for all the bowlers in the coming matches and it’s quite interesting to see which team come up with a best solution to stop the man who is been ecstatic with the bat
Rohit Sharma
Finally Rohit Sharma’s batting slot is settled in the Mumbai set-up. He was batting at the alternate positions in the couple of matches but the last the two matches against RCB and DD he was back to his familiar opening slot.
He was cheaply dismissed against Sunrisers but Rohit played a very handy innings against Bangalore to register their first win at Wankhede.
Unfortunately his weary contribution of 65 against DD was not enough for Mumbai to cross the line against Delhi.
AB De Villers
AB de Villiers, with his captain Kohli, have scored 65.75 per cent of the total runs scored by Royal Challengers Bangalore in their five matches so far. The effortless De Villiers is mentally hurting the bowlers with his all-rounds cricketing shot.
Though he failed against Mumbai Indians after the bright start, the relentless South African played a exceptional knock of 83 of just 46 balls against Pune. He currently tied with David Warner for hitting 12 sixers.
Surya Kumar Yadav
The Mumbai batsman played an influential knock of 60 of 49 balls in a slow turning wicket against Rising Pune Super Giants. The responsible contribution from the 25-year-old ensures Knight Riders sits firmly at the top of the table. With Manish Pandey being out for couple of weeks it’s very important for young yadav to step in and convert the possible chances into big one.
Sanju Samson(wk)
The young Sanju Samson delivered for the team when they needed him the most. The 48-ball 60 against Mumbai Indians turned out to be a match winning score after losing the openers early. He will be vital for Delhi who gathered some momentum at the start of the season.
Thisara Perera
Though MS Dhoni’s Rising Pune struggling to make a mark in this IPL, Thisara Perera was magnificent against Royal Challengers Bangalore. The all-round contribution of three wickets with the ball and some lusty blows in the slog overs could have nearly broken the deadlock for the Rising Pune Super Giants.
Krunal Pandya
The Baroda all-rounder has been stupendous for Mumbai Indians with his all-round displays. He was resounding against RCB by picking a wicket of two best players in the world Virat Kohli and AB Devilliers. Not to forget his dazzling contributions with the bat against Sunrisers and Delhi.
The 25-year-old currently has a best batting strike rate of 187.50 in this IPL.
Amit Mishra
Though Dardeevils played a only match this week Amit Mishra was brilliant with the ball against Mumbai Indians. The excellent spell of 2 for 24 in four overs was really important for Delhi to win the close fought battle against Mumbai.
He is consistently bowling googlies and making the batsmen guess. The leg spinner is turning out to be a main assert for the Daredevils after the disappointing campaign last year.
Bhuvaneshwar Kumar
Bhuvi is back to his best after being dispatched by the teenager Sarfraz Khan against the Challengers. He was economical against Mumbai Indians and impressive against Gujarat lions picking four wickets.
The initial swing bowling and the death yorkers is working really well for Bhuvi as he hopes to continue this momentum in the coming games for Sunrisers.
Mushtafizur Rahman
The Bangladeshi pacer is doing similar things to what Lasith Malinga has done to Mumbai Indians over the years. The left arm pacer’s crucial four overs is deciding the fate of Sunrisers in the dying moments.
The slow off-cutters and variations has been quite impressive and difficult for the batsmen to read. The two for nine from four overs against Kings XI Punjab is one of the best bowling figures in the IPL.
It will be quite interesting to see how Mushftafizur maintains his tag as a death over specialist in the coming weeks.
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