IPL Watch 2022: Who are the top performing Aussies so far?

Australia has been well-represented in this year’s Indian Premier League, with up to 16 Aussies playing in the 15^th edition of the world’s most significant T20 franchise cricket competition.

Collectively, the Australians sold for over a whopping $13 million AUD, making it one of the biggest purchases of overseas players from one country in IPL history.

Glenn Maxwell was the highest bid, going for $2 million and was retained by his beloved Royal Challengers Bangalore.

As the action approaches the pointy end of the tournament, the giant cash splash on the Australians has so far witnessed a mixed Return on Investment.

Mitchell Marsh, Pat Cummins and Marcus Stoinis have failed to live up to the hype that was thrust upon them thanks to the big bucks spent to attain their services, whilst some of the cheaper buys have proven to deliver results for their franchises in very unexpected circumstances.

Here’s a little breakdown of Australia’s top-performers in this year’s IPL:

(Photo by Gurpreet Singh/ Hindustan Times via Getty Images)

David Warner – Delhi Capitals

It would appear as though Warner has more Indian fans than Australian right now.

As only one of seven Aussies that sold for over a million dollars in the IPL auction, Warner has rewarded the Delhi Capitals handsomely with bulk runs and a strike rate that has never dipped below 150.

He is currently the fourth highest runs-scorer in the tournament, smashing 356 runs from just eight matches at a ridiculous average of 59.33.

Warner will be eyeing a few more blitzkrieg performances against weaker opponents like Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians to ensure that the Capitals secure a top four berth as the IPL gets to the business end, with head coach Ricky Ponting careful to utilise Warner’s run-scoring juices accordingly.

His 92 off 58 balls against the Sunrisers Hyderabad was truly an innings to behold, as he dispatched young Indian speedster Umran Malik and fellow countryman Sean Abbott to all parts of the ground. A seasoned, in-form Warner is always a treat to watch, and it will be interesting to see how he fares as this tournament approaches the final stages.

Tim David – Mumbai Indians

An interesting pick given that he didn’t really shine in the Pakistan Super League earlier this year, young Tim David has so far shown his struggling franchise a glimpse of the talent he has for big-hitting. In his most recent outing, he sparkled with an electric 44 off just 29 balls against the dominant Gujarat Titans, handing the Mumbai Indians just their second win of the tournament so far.

He took a particular liking to Mohammad Shami’s bowling in that game, dispatching the veteran Indian speedster consistently through the midwicket and long-on region. Off the last ball of Mumbai’s innings, David launched a monstrous 115 metre six off Shami which even the bowler give a wry smile to, as it was clear that this young West Australian was here to make a statement. He was the third-highest Australian sold in the IPL mega-auction, bought for $1.53 million.

No doubt his mouth-watering strike rate of 163.90 in last summer’s BBL would have played a part in the Mumbai Indians being eager to snap him up. So far, he hasn’t disappointed.

Daniel Sams – Mumbai Indians

A relatively cheap buy, going for $484,000, Sams has performed admirably without ever putting his franchise in jeopardy.

His probing fast-medium deliveries have been useful on these dry and flat Indian decks.

He had a stand-out day against the Chennai Super Kings, picking up four for 30 in a final ball thriller which unfortunately couldn’t get his team over the line.

He was still awarded as Cricinfo’s most valuable player, scoring the highest MVP rating of 115.48, as it was his miserly and tight bowling which effectively took this low-scoring game to the final over.

With Mumbai’s chances of entering the play-off stages all but extinguished at the halfway stage of the tournament, it will be interesting to see if Daniel Sams can produce a little magic to bring some positivity back to his franchise’s dismal IPL campaign. If there was ever an Australian fast bowler who knows how to extract some life out of these dead Indian pitches, Daniel Sams is your man.  

Glenn Maxwell’s face after a run out mix up with Virat Kohli

Glenn Maxwell – Royal Challengers Bangalore

You just never know when the Big Show will turn up, and this IPL has yet to witness the best of Glenn Maxwell.

He has been relatively subdued in this tournament, not making any significant impacts as such however he has chipped in with handy contributions that have been enough to get his team into the top four heading into the finals play-offs. While it could be perceived that Maxwell may appear to be lacking form right now, the Royal Challengers think tank know that he has the capability to be destructive when the time calls for it and they don’t seem unruffled by his indifferent performances. Maxwell’s highest score to date is 55 which he scored off 34 balls against the dangerous Delhi Capitals, catapulting his side to a commanding 189 in a game where they ultimately prevailed.

With the ball, Maxwell’s part-time offies have been useful in plugging up the runs whilst not looking threatening to take wickets consistently. His best figures are 2 for 22 which he achieved in his most recent outing against the Chennai Super Kings.

He currently has the best bowling economy rate of all the Royal Challengers T20 bowlers, conceding just 6.86 runs per over when he bowls.

Josh Hazlewood – Royal Challengers Bangalore

Easily the best Aussie bowler in this IPL, Hazlewood has been the backbone of the Royal Challengers Bangalore bowling cartel, always being Mr. Dependable whenever his franchise needs someone to close out a tightly fought contest.

In just eight matches he has snared 11 wickets at 17.36, putting him just inside the top 20 bowlers for most wickets in the tournament so far. Hazlewood is a brilliant asset to have, as he mixes up his metronomic line-length fast medium deliveries with a vast array of subtle slower balls, which goes to show that he is a thinking cricketer who doesn’t blame a flat deck for a rare lack of wicket-taking success.

His four-fa against the Lucknow Super Giants was an excellent spell that effectively pulled the brakes on the opposition’s run-chase which at one point seemed well on track to finish the game quickly.

The highlight and most comical aspect of that performance was when Hazlewood bowled a very wide delivery to Marcus Stoinis which would have been called as such if the latter had not moved so far across his stumps.

Stoinis moved well outside off stump, looking to flick the ball to fine leg, only to deflect it straight onto his stumps. Perhaps the strangest dismissal to occur in the IPL but it goes to show the types of mind games Hazlewood is capable of with his bowling.