Newcomers Gujarat Lions sit on top of the IPL table, along with the Kolkata Knight Riders. The season hasn’t started well for the other newcomers, Rising Pune Supergiants, while another giant, the Royal Challengers Bangalore have struggled as well. April 2016 saw 27 matches of IPL action, some great batting, huge sixes, phenomal catches and great individual bowling performances. With this in mind, we pick the top 11 performers of the month, keeping in mind, the numbers as well as the overall impact they have had.
1) Gautam Gambhir, Kolkata Knight Riders (Captain)
Serial IPL winner Gautam Gambhir leads the side out from the front, amassing runs at ease and guiding his KKR team to joint top of the table (after the game against RCB in May). He has impressed with his batting form, scoring 3 50s and also with his very able leadership of his troops.
Quick stats: (Up till May 2, 2016)
Matches – 9, Runs – 339, Average – 56.5, Strike rate – 123.72
2) David Warner, Sunrisers Hyderabad
David Warner joins Gautam Gambhir at the top, displaying unbelievable form in what has been a positive start to the campaign for his team. The Sunrisers have been blessed with a strong bowling line up this time and with Warner scoring runs at will, they look a dangerous outfit. On his day, is there a better matchwinner across the different formats of the game? We doubt it.
Quick stats:
Matches – 7, Runs – 386, Average – 77.2, Strike rate – 168.5
3) Virat Kohli, Royal Challengers Bangalore
Virat’s numbers in T20 cricket this year are, dare we say it, Bradman-esque. Displaying form that makes his contemporaries look bad, Kohli has elevated his game to another level altogether this year, already bringing up 1000 T20 runs. All he needs to do now is to convert his runs into wins for his struggling RCB team.
Quick stats:
Matches – 7, Runs – 433, Average – 72.16, Strike rate – 137.02
4) Rohit Sharma, Mumbai Indians
It’s been a strange season for the captain of the Mumbai Indians. Bat first and he can’t seem to manage to get to double digits, bat second, he’s a different animal altogether. His great individual batting performances chasing earns him a place in the squad. The fact that these knocks, while chasing, have been match winning knocks is what makes it all the more impressive.
Quick stats:
Matches – 9, Runs – 383, Average – 63.83, Strike rate – 137.27
5) Karun Nair, Delhi Daredevils
Karun Nair has gone about his job very nicely in a new look Delhi Daredevils outfit. Trusted with a role in the middle order, he has excelled at stabilising the innings and accelarating at just the right time. He has scored 2 50s and is showing signs of the form he did for the Royals two years ago in a very impressive start to this season.
Quick stats:
Matches – 6, Runs – 139, Average – 34.75, Strike rate – 124.1
6) Robin Uthappa, Kolkata Knight Riders (Wicket-keeper)
Uthappa has done incredibly well again for the KKR. He is striking the ball as cleanly as we have seen him do in a while and is explosive at the top, ensuring his team gets off to brisk starts. He doubles up as the wicket keeper for this team. His form has tempted people to say that he deserves a recall to the Indian team.
Quick stats:
Matches – 8, Runs – 243, Average – 30.37, Strike rate – 133.51
7) Andre Russell, Kolkata Knight Riders
The very sight of Andre Russell, with his pads on, in the dug out, must send shivers down the opponents throats as KKR possess, in their arsenal on of the game’s chief destroyers. He has also opened the bowling on occasion and done very well this season. Has the ability to win the game with the ball, the bat, or both.
Quick stats:
Matches – 8, Runs – 133, Strike rate – 156.47, Wickets – 9, Economy – 8.28
8) Amit Mishra, Delhi Daredevils
This season, the seamers have dominated the top of the purple cap charts but there has been one constant, the leggie Amit Mishra. Every IPL team now seems to have their specialist leg spinner and Delhi seem to have the pick of the lot with Amit Mishra. He has bowled with a lot of variety and has picked up crucial wickets for his team.
Quick stats:
Matches – 6, Wickets – 8, Average – 16.87, Economy – 7.10
9) Mitchell McClenaghan, Mumbai Indians
The Mumbai Indians didn’t start this season well. At one stage, they had 2 wins for 6 matches. One of the reasons they have won 3 games in a row is their explosive opening bowling combination of McClenaghan and Southee. McClenaghan has been fast, hit the deck hard and an absolute nuisance so far this IPL, picking up wickets aplenty and sitting pretty on top of the purple cap chart.
Quick stats:
Matches – 9, Wickets – 13, Average – 21.15, Economy – 7.97
10) Mustafizur Rahman, Sunrisers Hyderabad
What’s the fizz about, you ask? Mustafizur Rahman has impressed one and all with his bowling in the IPL, following up a very impressive showing in the T20 world cup. One of the best buys in the auction, the Fizz has been almost unplayable. His variations and his bowling IQ has seen him become one of the most feared bowlers in the world.
Quick stats:
Matches – 7, Wickets – 8, Average – 21.25, Economy – 6.53
11) Dhawal Kulkarni, Gujarat Lions
The table toppers get their sole representation in the team in the form of Dhawal Kulkarni. Their batting order at the top have taken turns to do well and hence, none of them feature. Raina has used Dhawal and Praveen Kumar extensively this season. Both of them have stepped up and are one of the reasons for their success so far. Kulkarni, especially, has picked up wickets and not gone for too many runs.
Quick stats:
Matches – 6, Wickets – 7, Average – 19.85, Economy – 6.95
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