IPL 2018: 5 explosive batsmen to watch out for

Hold your breath Cricket fanatics, the Indian Premier League 2018 is almost here! With the most glamorous T20 league in the world about to kick-off in just a few days time, frenzy amongst the masses is at its peak.

Everyone, young and old, is busy forming their own fantasy teams and debating over who will clinch the trophy this time around. When it comes to the IPL, what catches our eye the most and the towering sixes and powerful boundaries that win matches and encourage us to cheer for those out in the middle.

So who do you think will dazzle us by his exquisite batting this time around? Let us take a quick look at the five most explosive batsmen to watch out for in IPL 2018.

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#1 Virat Kohli

Virat Kohli scored four IPL centuries in 2016

When it comes to compiling a list of the most powerful batsmen in any format of the game, it just isn't complete without 'King Kohli'. Serving as the captain for the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) for the fifth year in a row, Kohli will be itching to get the coveted trophy home.

His 2016 run in the tournament that saw him accrue 973 runs in just 16 matches at a staggering average of 81.08, including four centuries is proof enough of what this man is capable of.

The 29-year old has been in blazing form in recent times as well with 3 centuries against South Africa in ODIs earlier this year and will be looking to take his A game into the IPL as well.

#2 Ben Stokes

Ben Stokes can be expected to impress with his explosive batting skills

The poster boy for controversy, Ben Stokes emerged as the costliest buy yet again in IPL 2018 when the day 1 of the auctions saw him fetch a price of INR 12.5 crores for the Rajasthan Royals (RR) franchise.

Essentially an all-rounder, Stokes can turn out to be a real asset for the Rajasthan side that will be making a comeback into the league after a two-year long hiatus. The England cricketer has 1721 runs to his name in 92 T20s at an impressive strike rate of 138.12, including a century.

Stokes can hit those long sixes and run the quick singles as well, making him a dangerous player.

#3 Gautam Gambhir

Gautam Gambhir will be playing his last IPL this year

The talented left-handed opener, Gautam Gambhir will be appearing for his last season of the IPL and will be captaining the Delhi Daredevils (DD) side this time.

His previous stint as the skipper of the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) had won him accolades from all around the globe and two trophies, as well!

Termed as one of the most consistent run-getters of the tournament, Gambhir has a total of 4133 IPL runs to his name in 148 matches. His highest score of 93 against the RCB side back in 2012 was an exquisite knock most Cricket fans are bound to remember.

Gambhir's match-winning knocks have helped KKR qualify for the play-offs more than once in the past few years and DD will be hoping for him to repeat his mind-boggling performances once again.

#4 Brendon McCullum

Brendon McCullum has forever been hailed as the master of the T20 format

Who can forget the blazing knock of 158* from Brendon McCullum for the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the very first game of the IPL back in 2008?

The 36-year old has forever been hailed as the master of the T20 format and was roped in by the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) for the 2018 edition of the IPL. He's been in good form in the last few months and has contributed heftily for the Lahore Qalandars side in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) with 218 runs in 10 matches.

Armed with figures of 13 half-centuries and 2 centuries in the IPL, McCullum is bound to be the one player we must keep our eyes fixed on to see some magic.

#5 Dinesh Karthik

Dinesh Karthik has been appointed as the new captain for KKR.

Dinesh Karthik's surreal knock of 29 runs off just 8 balls in a pressure situation final game against Bangladesh in the Nidahas Trophy earlier this year left spectators mesmerised, with their jaws left hanging open.

A balanced concoction of a cool head, oodles of experience and a gritty temperament is what makes Karthik a real steal for the KKR side, which he'll be leading this time around. In the past, the right-handed batsman has performed exceptionally well for the Mumbai Indians (MI) side and has 2903 runs in his kitty out of 152 games in the league.

With a healthy T20I average of 33.62, Karthik can very well be expected to extend his good form into the IPL and emerge as one of the sensational batsmen in the tournament.