IPL 2018: Key batsman for each IPL side

Having witnessed ten successful years, IPL is all set to become the talk of the town this summer. With IPL being just a month away, all the franchise would be looking forward to marking out the best batsman in their franchise.

Here are all the key batsmen from each IPL side, on whom the teams would bank upon in the upcoming edition of IPL.

#1 Chennai Super Kings: Suresh Raina

Suresh Raina aka Mr. IPL is one of the most loved players in this colossal league, having featured in every IPL match that his team has played so far. He is the current record-holder for scoring most runs (4540) in the history of IPL.

The T20 specialist, Suresh Raina, will provide CSK a much-important balance to the side in the middle-order. With a lot of experience, Suresh Raina would hold the responsibility of building the innings out there in the middle. A lot will depend on Raina as he will be that crucial link between the top order and the lower middle-order.

IPL Numbers- Matches: 161 | Runs: 4540 | Avg: 34.14 | S/R: 139.05

#2 Royal Challengers Bangalore: Virat Kohli

Be it Indian Cricket Team or Royal Challengers Bangalore, Virat Kohli has always been the most important player on the board. Currently, he is the best batsman in the world across all the formats. Furthermore, Virat Kohli is the only batsman in the history of IPL to score as many as 973 runs in a single edition of the league.

Virat Kohli fulfills the role of a perfect batsman in the top order who can build the innings very aptly and pass on the baton to the finishers. One quality of Kohli that has amazed everyone is his ability to acclimatize to new pitches. Thus, for RCB, he will form the core of the batting for away matches.

IPL Numbers- Matches: 149 | Runs: 4418 | Avg: 37.44 | S/R: 129.83

#3 Delhi Daredevils: Glenn Maxwell

The right-handed explosive batsman from Australia, Glenn Maxwell, is one of the best buys of Delhi Daredevils in the IPL Auction. Currently, Maxwell is the second-ranked T20I batsman in the world.

In the upcoming season of IPL, DD would heavily rely on Maxwell's batting in the middle or the lower-middle order batting slot. Maxwell will fulfill the role of a hitter who would contribute to add that extra 15-20 runs to the team's total. Considering his recent form in the Trans-Tasman T20I tri-series, Maxwell is expected to be a standout in the upcoming edition of IPL.

IPL Numbers- Matches: 57 | Runs: 1228 | Avg: 25.06 | S/R: 164.39

#4 Kolkata Knight Riders: Robin Uthappa

The right-handed batsman, Robin Uthappa, has been one of best openers in the history of IPL. He is the record sixth highest run-scorer (3778) in the history of IPL.

Back in 2014, Robin Uthappa played the vital role in Kolkata Knight Riders' road to their second IPL title. He was the orange cap holder in that season. With an injury scare surrounding Chris Lynn, KKR's batting will heavily rely on Robin Uthappa.

IPL Numbers- Matches: 149 | Runs: 3778 | Avg: 29.52 | S/R: 131.64

#5 Mumbai Indians: Rohit Sharma

The full-time vice-captain of the Indian Cricket Team, Rohit Sharma, has been an integral part of the MI squad. Currently, Rohit Sharma is the third highest run-scorer (4207) in the history of IPL.

With not much of depth in the top order, Mumbai Indians would heavily bank upon Rohit Sharma to adopt that role for the upcoming edition of IPL. Thus, the MI captain would be the most important batsman in the MI squad.

IPL Numbers- Matches: 159 | Runs: 4207 | Avg: 32.61 | S/R: 130.9

#6 Rajasthan Royals: Ben Stokes

The fiery all-rounder from England, Ben Stokes, had an exceptional debut IPL season with Rising Pune Supergiants as his base. Owing to his standout performance in IPL 2017, Stokes bagged a hefty Rs. 12.5 Cr deal with Rajasthan Royal in IPL 2018 Auction.

Ben Stokes played an important role in Rising Pune Supergiants road to their first IPL final in 2017. Stokes is expected to repeat the 2017 heroics in IPL 2018 as well. Thus, Stokes will turn out be a key player in the Rajasthan Royals' unit for the upcoming edition of IPL.

IPL Numbers- Matches: 12 | Runs: 316 | Avg: 31.6 | S/R: 142.99

#7 Kings XI Punjab: KL Rahul

The right-handed opener from Karnataka, KL Rahul, has been one of the best T20 batsmen. Unfortunately, KL had to miss the 2017 IPL due to a shoulder injury. However, he had a decent stint with RCB in IPL 2016 as he scored close to 400 runs at a jaw-dropping average of 44.11 and an exceptional strike-rate of 146.49. Owing to his quality batting, Rahul grabbed a hefty Rs. 11 Cr deal with KXIP in IPL 2018 auctions.

In the upcoming edition of IPL, KXIP would heavily rely on KL Rahul to open the innings. In addition to that, KL Rahul will have the added responsibility of capitalizing on the first six overs of the innings to provide a much-required foundation for the middle-order.

IPL Numbers- Matches: 39 | Runs: 725 | Avg: 30.21 | S/R: 125.65

#8 Sunrisers Hyderabad: David Warner

The explosive opener from Australia, David Warner, has been one of the main reasons for SRH's success as a franchise. Furthermore, David Warner is the only second player in the history of IPL to don the orange cap twice (2015 and 2017).

In addition to that, David Warner is the only overseas player to score more than 4000 runs in IPL. Come IPL 2018, the onus will once again be on David Warner to get SRH off the blocks quickly and sustain the attack into the middle overs, a role that the Aussie has perfected brilliantly in his time in the IPL.

IPL Numbers- Matches: 114 | Runs: 4014 | Avg: 40.55 | S/R: 142.14