IPL 2018: Ranking the wicket-keeper-batsmen

In its ten year history, the IPL has witnessed just one wicket-keeper bagging the orange cap - Robin Uthappa back in 2014. The 2018 edition of the IPL came close to crowning a wicket-keeper with the prestigious orange cap for the second time. The recently concluded series witnessed the men behind the stumps perform exceedingly well in front of it with the bat. The list of highest run-scorers was unconventionally dominated by wicket-keeper-batsmen. Though an inspired Williamson deservedly managed to claim the prestigious orange cap, he should consider himself lucky that Rishabh Pant and KL Rahul did not make it to the playoffs. With the form that both the youngsters were in, Williamson might have faced more stiff competition had they featured in the playoffs.

It would not be surprising to see a wicket-keeper stake their claim to the orange cap next season. Now, without further ado, let's take a look at the impact created by the primary wicket-keeper batsman of each franchise, ranked from last to first.

#8 Wriddhiman Saha

The Sunrisers Hyderabad had rampaged their way into Qualifier 1. The Orange Army had already cemented their place in the top two with two league games left to play and were hands-down favorites to win the title this year. Their bowling lineup was ridiculously good, managing to defend modest totals time and again.

The batting, on the other hand, had been iffy with captain Kane Williamson playing savior more often than not. In a season where almost all wicket-keepers were electric with the bat, Wriddhiman Saha was rather underwhelming. He managed to rack up a mere 122 runs in 11 games, although this number is suppressed owing to the fact that Saha came out to bat at number seven. He picked up a strain in the second half of the season which saw Shreevats Goswami replace him. Saha would have been looking to turn a new leaf in the playoffs after his dismal group stage outing. Though he did get a chance to feature in a game in the playoffs, it was Goswami who donned the gloves for the Orange Army in the finals.

#7 Ishan Kishan

Bought at a whopping INR 5.5 crore, young Ishan Kishan had a lot of weight on his shoulders coming into the tournament. The big-hitting youngster did show sparks of brilliance but wasn't as consistent as he should have been across the entire season.

Considering that the Mumbai Indians have a very deep batting lineup, Kishan must have been given the free license by the Mumbai Indians think-tank to go gung-ho with the bat. His strike rate of over 149 across the season warrants this fact as well. He also scored 275 runs in his 14 games, which isn't a bad number. Aged just 19, Ishan has a long way to go and could be an exciting prospect in upcoming IPL editions.

#6 Parthiv Patel

It is the Royal Challengers Bangalore management's fault that Parthiv Patel finds himself at number six. He might not be as young as he looks, but Parthiv has still got some cracking shots left in him. It took Quinton de Kock to attend a wedding in South Africa for Parthiv to finally find his way into the squad.

Parthiv announced himself with a half-century on debut and had an average of above 30 in the six games that he played. His strike rate was above 140 too and the starts he gave RCB were priceless. Parthiv could have been higher up this list had he gotten a chance in the first half of the season.

#5 Dinesh Karthik

498 runs in 16 games at an average of a shade under 50 and a strike rate of 147.77, and Dinesh Karthik still finds himself in the bottom half of this list - such has been the quality of wicket-keepers this season. Dinesh Karthik was made the captain of the Knight Riders at the start of the season. Though there are questions arising regarding his captaining abilities, he has certainly made a statement with the bat. Coming in to bat at number 5 or later, Dinesh Karthik has been playing handy knocks time and again, and winning his team matches. Having qualified for the playoffs, DK would have hoped to lead his team to the title in his maiden season as captain.

#4 M.S. Dhoni

455 runs in 16 games at a strike rate of 162.59 at an average of - wait for it - 75.83! Yes, you read that right. Dhoni finished the innings for Chennai 9 times in the 16 games they played - bowlers just couldn't get him out! MS Dhoni had arguably his best season in the IPL at a time wherein many had branded him too old to do anything with the bat. He proved why he is considered the greatest finisher of all time with his soaring six into the stands of the Chinnaswamy.

Why is he still number four on this list you ask? He couldn't surpass the upcoming three, despite his ridiculous average. That's how good they have been.

#3 Jos Buttler

Jos Buttler was an absolute disaster in the first half of the season. Coming in to bat in the middle order, Jos was unable to do anything substantial with the bat. The Rajasthan Royals then made an inspired change of batting position for Jos and the Englishman hasn't looked back since. He scored five half-centuries on the trot, equaling Virender Sehwag's record in the process. He was on his way to his sixth half-century against the Knight Riders but succumbed in the late thirties to Kuldeep Yadav.

Buttler finished at sixth place in the highest run-scorers list with 548 runs under his kitty at an average of 54.8 and a strike rate of 155.24. Unfortunately, the Englishman had been picked by his country to feature in their colors and did not play any part in IPL 2018 after Rajasthan's thirteenth league game. That really was a pity, as watching him bat was an absolute treat!

#2 Rishabh Pant

20-year-old Rishabh Pant has been a sensation in recent years. Having made his name in the U19 World Cup, Pant played exceptionally for the Daredevils last season and even earned an Indian call-up soon after. Pant has often been touted to be the next big wicket-keeper for India, and the young boy is living up to his expectations.

Pant was second on the run-scorers list this season, with 684 runs in 14 games at an average of 52.62 and a whopping strike rate of 173.6. His 63-ball 128 against the league's best bowling lineup in Hyderabad was phenomenal to say the very least. Unfortunately, the Daredevils were out of the tournament in the group stages, which didn't give Pant additional games to claim the orange cap.

#1 KL Rahul

The Kings XI Punjab paid a mighty INR 11 crore to secure KL Rahul's services. Many deemed this to be an overpriced buy, but Rahul has ensured that they wish that they could take their words back. He was in sublime touch, playing shots of such caliber that you can watch them over and over again.

The Kings XI Punjab side were in the mix at the end of the group stage thanks primarily to his batting masterclasses, which is why he claims the number one spot on this list ahead of Rishabh Pant. Along with occasional assistance from Gayle, Rahul had single-handedly scored runs for his side. At 659 runs in 14 games at a strike rate of just under 160, Rahul was set to wear the orange cap had Punjab qualified for the playoffs.