From the archive: Highest run-scorer from each team in IPL 2010

With the success of the first two seasons of IPL, the third season was much awaited by the fans across the country. The number of teams remained unchanged at eight. It started in the second week of March and went up to the end of April.

The final was played between Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians at Dr. D.Y.Patil Stadium where the hosts were convincingly defeated by the Super Kings. A third-place playoff was held between the losing semi-finalists and the winner of this qualified for the Champions League T20. While Sachin Tendulkar was the ‘Orange Cap’ winner for the most runs in the season, Pragyan Ojha won the ‘Purple Cap’ for most wickets and CSK won the ‘Fair Play Award’ yet again.

Prior to the season, the auction for the third edition was held in January, with Kieron Pollard and Shane Bond being the costliest buys at 750,000 USD by the Mumbai Indians and the Kolkata Knight Riders respectively. It was estimated that over 200 million people watched that season live on television. It also became the first ever cricketing event to be broadcasted live on YouTube.

#1 Chennai Super Kings – Suresh Raina

Suresh Raina

Suresh Raina is the kind of player who gives everything a captain needs. He is a complete package. Having scored close to 5000 runs in his IPL career, he has been instrumental in team’s success. The 3rd edition was no different for the UP cricketer.

Raina played in 16 matches scoring 520 runs at a strike rate of 142.85. It was at the Brabourne stadium in Mumbai where he got his highest score of 83 not out off just 52 balls against the Mumbai Indians. He scored 4 half centuries that season including an important knock in the finals where he remained unbeaten on 57 off 35 balls with three boundaries and three maximums. This innings got the team to a respectable total of 168 which they eventually defended and went on to win the title for the first time. He was the third highest run-getter that season.

#2 Deccan Chargers – Andrew Symonds

And

rew Symonds

After winning the second edition of IPL, Deccan Chargers made it to the knockouts in the 3rd season. The main reason for their success was the all-round performance from the big Aussie. Coming in at 4, Andrew Symonds scored 429 runs in 16 matches at a strike rate of 125.80. He started the season well scoring two half-centuries in the first three games with the Mongoose Bat. His highest score of 54 came in an all-important game against DD when the team was in deep trouble.

Symonds had memorable outings against KKR, MI and RCB eventually finishing as the 7th highest run-getter of the season. He used to come in and change the dynamics of the match thanks to some big hitting. Not only was he effective with the bat, his bowling cameos were equally impressive. He took 12 wickets and was the 5th bowler in the team.

#3 Delhi Daredevils – Virender Sehwag

Virender Sehwag

After failing to make it to the finals in the first two editions of IPL, DD were looking for a strong display in the third season. The captain was none other than our own dashing opener Virender Sehwag whose contribution was necessary for the team’s success.

Even though the team failed to make it to the knock-outs, Sehwag left no stone unturned to entertain the fans. He went on to score 356 runs in 14 matches at an unbelievable strike rate of 163.30. It was the quick start he used to provide that helped the team.

One of his notable performances was against Rajasthan where he decimated the opposition scoring 75 off 34 balls. He won the ‘Player of the Match’ award for that performance. He had three scores in excess of 50 and each of them was as impressive as the other.

#4 Kings XI Punjab – Mahela Jayawardene

Mahela Jayawardene

The 2010 season was a forgettable one for the Kings XI Punjab as they finished last in the group stage. They managed to win only four wins out of fourteen games they played. The team was led by the Sri Lankan captain Mahela Jayawardene who tried every possible way to get the team out of trouble but fell short. When others in the team failed to deliver, he stood up and scored some important knocks finishing as the sixth highest getter of the season and the leading scorer for his team.

His century(110* off 59 balls) against KKR at the Eden Gardens was one of the finest of the season. Even though his approach was orthodox, his strike rate(147.31) proved that big hitting was not the only way to score. He accumulated 439 runs in 13 matches at an average of 43.90 in that season with plenty of entertainment to the fans.

#5 Kolkata Knight Riders – Sourav Ganguly

Sourav Ganguly

The ‘Prince of Kolkata’ had an amazing season of IPL in 2010. After a poor show in the second edition, it was time for Sourav Ganguly to answer his critics and he did that with all grace. He had four half-centuries to his name and KKR won on all four occasions.

In a game against Deccan Chargers, he scored 88 off 54 balls at an astonishing strike rate of 163 which was his highest score of the season. He amassed 493 runs in 14 matches and was in the race for ‘Orange Cap’. We all know Dada’s ability to come down the track and whacking the bowler over the fence which he did on fifteen occasions. In spite of winning seven matches out of fourteen, KKR was unable to qualify due to poor net run rate. This was Ganguly’s best season in IPL in terms of his personal record.

#6 Mumbai Indians – Sachin Tendulkar

Sachin Tendulkar

There isn’t a record book in cricket without Sachin Tendulkar’s name in it. As great a player he was in Tests and ODIs, he was equally outstanding in T20s. Having represented Mumbai Indians in the IPL he scored close to 1,800 runs in 51 matches. In the third edition he went on to score 618 runs in 14 innings surpassing Shaun Marsh for most runs in an IPL season. He showed his class and elegance by scoring runs in boundaries (86 in all) throughout the season. He scored five half-centuries with a high score of 89* against Rajasthan in Jaipur.

All these efforts carried Mumbai Indians to the finals. Chasing 169, Sachin contributed with 48 runs but the middle order failed to capitalize and Mumbai fell short of the target by 22 runs. Sachin was named the ‘Player of the Tournament’ for the amount of runs he scored.

#7 Rajasthan Royals – Naman Ojha

Naman Ojha

A capable top-order batsman and very good wicket keeper, Naman Ojha made it to the Rajasthan Royals squad in 2009 because of impressive performances in the domestic circuit. He wasn’t great in his debut season but managed to hold his spot in the team.

In the following season, he managed to unravel himself finishing as the top scorer for his team. He scored at a strike rate of 132.28 providing quick runs at no.3. In a match against CSK he scored a magnificent 94* off 55 balls in spite of his team falling short of the total. Overall, he scored 377 runs in 14 matches he played. He enjoyed success with the gloves holding on to four catches and was responsible for two stumpings. But the team couldn’t make it to the top 4 as they managed only 6 victories against 8 losses in the group stage.

#8 Royal Challengers Bangalore – Jacques Kallis

Jacques Kallis

One of the greatest all-rounders of all time, Jacques Kallis represented RCB in the first three seasons of the IPL. He amassed over 1200 runs at an average of 33 across three editions. He was at his best in the third edition where he ended as the second highest run-getter. He was instrumental in team’s success and as a result, RCB qualified for the semifinals.

Opening the innings for the team, Kallis built a strong platform for others to come in and score big. He had six fifties to his name and scored at a strike rate of 115.78. When everyone struggled to average 30 in T20s, he averaged 47.66 in that season. He wasn’t satisfied with 572 runs, so he picked up the ball and got 13 wickets at a healthy strike rate. He was that kind of a player who was equally effective with the bat as well as with the ball.