IPL 2018: 5 players with the best strike rate this season

A trophy and a car will be awarded to the player who has the highest batting strike rate of the season. To be eligible for the award, the player must have played 7 matches in the season, faced a minimum of 42 balls and scored a minimum of 105 runs.

Here we look at the five favourites who could come out on top and claim the award.

---

#5 Rishabh Pant

A member of India's Under 19 World Cup runner-up campaign in 2016, Rishabh Pant has made a splash in the IPL this season with some breathtaking innings. Pant is definitely a future Indian regular but he could speed the process up and cement his spot in the team with a strong showing in the coming year.

Pant will look to capitalise on his form with performances in domestic cricket and maybe win over a few selectors. The player is in line for a number of awards at the end of the IPL season, having scored 684 runs in 14 matches with a strike rate of 173.60. Pant has smashed 68 fours and 47 sixes and could be the winner of the Super Striker of the season.

Only 20 years old, the wicket-keeper batsman also has an outside shot of making the World Cup squad for next year.

#4 AB De Villiers

De Villiers clean bowled

AB de Villiers announced his retirement from the international game last evening. The South African will only play domestic cricket and was in good knick for the RCB again but failed to qualify for the playoffs yet again.

Having scored 480 runs in 12 games this season, de Villiers had a staggering strike rate of 174.59. With a higher strike rate than Pant, the South African could pip the young Indian to the award.

The former South African captain has struck 39 fours and 30 sixes in the tournament and is one of the greatest players in modern cricket.

#3 Sunil Narine

Narine plays the shot off his pads

West Indian all-rounder Sunil Narine is an important player for KKR and will be looking to reach another IPL final with the franchise. Only a win away from the final, KKR needs to overcome SRH at home in the playoff eliminator.

Narine has scored 331 runs with the bat with a highest score of 75 in 15 matches at a strike rate of 189.14. Having hit 36 fours and 22 sixes, Narine is one of the favourites to win the super striker award.

Narine has also picked up 16 wickets in his 15 games for the team.

#2 Andre Russell

Russell celebrates with captain DK

Another West Indian all-rounder and KKR player, Andre Russell is vital for the franchise if they are to reach and win the IPL again. Russell has been in good knick with the bat and ball picking up 13 wickets in 15 matches and scoring 313 runs with a strike rate of 190.85.

Russell has scored 17 boundaries and 37 sixes for the franchise this season and will be heading into the playoff eliminator with confidence after knocking out the Rajasthan Royals.

#1 Krishnappa Gowtham

Rajasthan Royals v Kings XI Punjab - IPL T20 Match

Rajasthan Royal all-rounder Krishnappa Gowtham has been instrumental for the team this season with the bat and ball. Having played 15 matches, the player has picked up 11 wickets and scored 196 runs with an impressive strike rate of 196.87.

With the highest strike rate in the league this season, the Karnataka lad could be the surprise winner of the super striker award. Gowtham has hit 9 fours and 9 sixes in the IPL this season. Unfortunately, RR crashed out of the tournament in the playoff eliminator against the KKR.