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IPL 2019 is right around the corner to enthral the fans with a series of big hitters lining up for the 8 different IPL teams. Most of the teams have retained their core group of players as well as including a few big hitters from the 2019 IPL auction into their squad.
Before the 2019 edition of the Indian Premier League begins, let us get an idea about who have been the most explosive players for each IPL team based on their strike rates from the previous edition of the IPL. Strike rates for players who have scored a minimum of 100 runs in the last IPL only are considered.
Let us see who the most destructive players from each IPL team are, as we rank them based on their Strike rates.
# 8 Vijay Shankar - Sunrisers Hyderabad
Batting Strike Rate in the last IPL – 143.24
Vijay Shankar played the last IPL with Delhi and was traded to Sunrisers Hyderabad for this season along with Abhishek Sharma and Shahbaz Nadeem in lieu of Shikhar Dhawan. Vijay Shankar was influential in the lower middle order as a finisher scoring 212 runs at an average of 53.00.
When it comes to strike rate, Vijay Shankar is one notch above Kane Williamson who has a strike rate of 142.44 at an average of 52.50. With Kane Williamson performing at the top of the order and Vijay Shankar showing his hitting prowess in the lower order, Sunrisers can hope to perform well in the upcoming IPL 2019.
Overall the trade sealed by Sunrisers Hyderabad to get 2 allrounders who can be finishers and a specialist Indian spinner seems to have added balance to the side for IPL 2019.
Among the 8 IPL teams, Vijay Shankar playing for Sunrisers Hyderabad has the 8th best Strike rate and is at No.8 in our list.
# 7 Ishan Kishan – Mumbai Indians
Batting Strike Rate in the last IPL – 149.45
Surprisingly the young Ishan Kishan has the highest strike rate among the Mumbai Indians squad which boasts of big hitters among the likes of Pollard and Rohit Sharma. Though Ben Cutting (Strike rate – 165.51) does have a better strike rate than Ishan Kishan, his total tally of runs in the last IPL was below 100.
In the strike rate, Ishan Kishan is one notch above Krunal Pandya who has a strike rate of 145.22 and the flamboyant West Indian opener Evin Lewis who was hitting at 138.40. The fact that Ishan Kishan has scored these quick runs batting at the No.3 slot for Mumbai Indians is an added advantage.
In the last IPL, he had scored 275 runs from 12 innings at an average of 22.91. He will definitely be looking to improve his runs tally in IPL 2019 without cutting down his attacking prowess.
# 6 Dwayne Bravo – Chennai Super Kings
Batting Strike Rate in the last IPL – 154.94
Dwayne Bravo has been one of the most faithful finishers for Chennai in the last IPL season. He played a crucial role in their title victory playing some unbelievable knocks for Chennai as a lower middle order batsman thus upping his strike rate to 154.94 in the last IPL.
He had a runs tally of 141 runs from 10 innings scored at an average of 35.25 in the last IPL. Apart from his bowling utility, his ability to hit the ball cleanly makes him a playmaker for Chennai Super Kings. He is also slightly ahead of Shane Watson (Strike rate of 154.59) and the master finisher MS Dhoni ( Strike rate of 150.66) in the CSK squad.
Cometh IPL 2019, Bravo will be looking forward to extending the winning run of CSK to prove that the Old Brigade can do it once again.
# 5 Lokesh Rahul – Kings XI Punjab
Batting Strike Rate in the last IPL – 158.41
It is no wonder that Lokesh Rahul comes up in this list from Punjab. The last IPL season was an extremely good one for the Karnataka youngster when he took the Punjab team to decent totals on numerous occasions. He will definitely be looking at a repeat of that form in the upcoming IPL also.
In the last IPL season, he had a strike rate of 158.41 and scored 659 runs for the team from 14 matches. His opening partner for Punjab, Chris Gayle, was right behind him with a strike rate of 146.03. Kings XI Punjab will be depending on these 2 explosive batsmen once again to take the team forward in IPL 2019. Lokesh Rahul will be looking at this season as an opportunity to make a statement with the World Cup coming up in England this summer.
Among the 8 IPL teams, Lokesh Rahul playing for Kings XI Punjab has the 5th best Strike rate and is at No.5 in our list.
# 4 Rishabh Pant – Delhi Capitals
Batting Strike Rate in the last IPL – 173.60
Rishabh Pant being part of this list is another no-brainer. He has been the most explosive batsman for Delhi in the last IPL and he has been striking the ball at an impressive rate of 173.60. He scored 684 runs from 14 matches in the last IPL making it clear that it's not just quick runs; it’s also the sheer volume of runs that he can deliver.
The second best strike rate from the Delhi team was by another youngster Prithvi Shaw who was striking the ball at 153.12. Having retained both of them, Delhi will now be hoping that they have a strong batting lineup to chase down any score put forth by other teams.
Rishabh Pant is on the radar of the national selectors as one of the possible options for the World Cup Squad and a decent enough IPL 2019 season will help a long way in sealing the deal for him.
Among the 8 IPL teams, Rishabh Pant playing for Delhi Capitals is at No.4 in our list.
# 3 AB de Villiers - Royal Challengers Bangalore
Batting Strike Rate in the last IPL – 174.54
No list will be perfect if you leave this man out. With an impressive strike rate of 174.54 in the last IPL season, 'Mr.360 degrees' has been the backbone of the Bangalore side along with Kohli. The fact that ABD and Kohli have not got enough support from the teammates has been the downfall for the Royal Challengers squad for all these years. In IPL 2019 , ABD will be hoping to continue his success story and ensure RCB lift the trophy.
The second best strike rate in the RCB camp was by the NewZealand all-rounder Colin de Grandhomme who was doing the finishing job for the team at a rate of 155.95.
After retirement from International Cricket, IPL is the major tournament that de Villiers is playing and it will be good to see the master return to what he is exceptional at.
Among the 8 IPL teams, AB de Villiers playing for Royal Challengers Bangalore is at No.3 in our list.
# 2 Sunil Narine – Kolkata Knight Riders
Batting Strike Rate in the last IPL – 189.89
Sunil Narine added a new dimension to his skill set when he started to open for KKR in the IPL. KKR relied on him to provide an explosive start and garner some quick-fire runs in the power play. Unlike other pinch hitters who were sent in occasionally, Sunil Narine literally grabbed the opening spot and became a regular opener in the last IPL. He was striking the ball at an impressive strike rate of 189.89 and scored 357 runs from 16 matches.
The second best explosive batsman in the KKR camp was his West Indian teammate Andre Russell, who had a strike rate of 184.79. While Narine provided the starts, Russell was finishing games for KKR.
Sunil Narine will definitely want to continue to be the explosive opener for KKR in IPL 2019 and will be looking forward to having a successful season in 2019.
Among the 8 IPL teams, Sunil Narine playing for KKR is at No.2 in our list.
# 1 Krishnappa Gowtham - Rajasthan Royals
Batting Strike Rate in the last IPL - 196.87
Krishnappa Gowtham is an effective all-rounder. That fact was evident in the way he took on the bowlers as a finisher for Rajasthan Royals in the last IPL. His Strike Rate of 196.87 was the highest in the season among all the players.
Apart from his spin bowling, his finishing capability was a blessing for Rajasthan who did not have an explosive finisher in their ranks in the last IPL. In IPL 2019 too, Gowtham will be expected to continue his finishing role for Rajasthan in the lower middle order.
The second best strike rate in the Rajasthan Camp was by the Englishman Jos Buttler who had a tremendous season last year. He was hitting the balls at a strike rate of 155.24 and gave Rajasthan the much-needed starts in the tournament.
Among the 8 IPL teams, Krishnappa Gowtham playing for Rajasthan Royals is at No.1 in our list.
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