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The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021 concluded on Friday in Dubai with MS Dhoni’s Chennai Super Kings (CSK) overpowering the Eoin Morgan-led Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the final.
The IPL 2021 final was the story of two incredible fightbacks. Written off after a disastrous previous season, CSK hit back like true champions do. KKR, on the other hand, were termed no-hopers after a lethargic first half in the ongoing edition. However, they displayed tremendous vigor to finish as runners-up.
Every year, the IPL gives the cricketing fraternity new stars and heroes. Some are newcomers who grab the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity with both hands. There are also a few who have been on the playing circuit for a while but find the limelight belatedly, thanks to the IPL.
5 names who made a massive impact in IPL 2021
For a change, this year’s IPL did not witness any rising overseas player make his mark. However, some remarkable Indian talent came to the fore. Here’s a recap.
#1 Ruturaj Gaikwad (CSK - 635 runs)
A member of the IPL 2021-winning squad, Orange Cap winner, Emerging Player of the year - could it get any better for Ruturaj Gaikwad? The 24-year-old CSK opener powered the franchise’s campaign with old warhorse Faf du Plessis (633) runs.
Gaikwad creamed 635 runs in 16 matches at a strike rate of 136.26. Apart from four half-centuries, he also cracked his maiden IPL ton. Although it was in a losing cause against Rajasthan Royals (RR), Gaikwad’s 101* off 60 was an incredible effort.
The elegant batter scored a crucial 70 in Qualifier 1 against Delhi Capitals (DC) as CSK made it to the final. Even in the summit clash, he got the team off to a brisk start, scoring a crucial 32 off 27.
Towards the end of last season, Gaikwad made an impression with three consecutive fifties. This year, though, he lifted his performance to an altogether different level.
#2 Venkatesh Iyer (KKR - 370 runs)
It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that KKR would not have reached where they did had it not been for Venkatesh Iyer’s introduction at the top of the order. Throughout the first half, KKR’s views of wanting to play with intent seemed hollow talk as they failed to practice what they preached.
It all changed in the second half in the UAE with Iyer being given the task of opening alongside Shubman Gill. The tall left-hander smashed an unbeaten 41 off 27 as KKR trounced RCB. Iyer typified coach Brendon McCullum’s aggressive intent and Kolkata’s renaissance had begun.
Iyer followed up his bright debut with a maiden half-century in the very next match against Mumbai Indians (MI). He scored breezy fifties in Qualifier 2 as well as the final. The 26-year-old’s fearless approach went a long way in redefining KKR’s IPL 2021 campaign.
#3 Harshal Patel (RCB - 32 wickets)
30-year-old Harshal Patel made his IPL debut in 2012. He had a decent run in 2015, claiming 17 wickets in 15 matches at a strike rate of 15.47. However, 2021 was his breakout year in the IPL. Patel claimed 32 wickets in 15 matches at a strike rate of 10.56 to walk away with the Purple Cap.
The Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) pacer’s economy rate was on the higher side - 8.14. But it wasn’t all that bad, considering Patel was the team’s designated death bowler for the season. Significantly, the medium-pacer was Virat Kohli’s go-to man. Every time the captain turned to him, Patel delivered more often than not.
His variations, particularly the slower balls and cutters, stood out. Patel used them to deadly effect against MI when he claimed a hat-trick. In the first half of IPL 2021, he became the first bowler to pick up a five-wicket haul against Mumbai. With better luck, he could have broken Dwayne Bravo’s (32) record for most wickets in an IPL season.
#4 Avesh Khan (DC - 24 wickets)
DC pacer Avesh Khan was among the many bright spots for the franchise in an impressive season that ended in a whimper. After failing to make much of an impact in the previous IPL seasons, Khan stood out this year with 24 wickets in 16 games at a strike rate of 15.25.
He bowled with raw pace and was so good in the first half that DC were forced to keep Anrich Nortje out of the playing XI. And while Kagiso Rabada struggled to make a mark for a change, Khan raised his game and became the franchise’s chief wicket-taker.
The 24-year-old’s form tapered off towards the business end of the tournament as he crumbled under pressure. The full toss he bowled against RCB cost DC dearly. He conceded 47 in the qualifier against CSK. Overall, there was plenty to admire about Khan’s fiery performances.
#5 Rahul Tripathi (KKR - 397 runs)
KKR batter Rahul Tripathi’s IPL 2021 campaign ended in anti-climatic fashion. He limped off the field early in the final and came into bat at no.8, by which time the result was only a formality. The disappointing end aside, Tripathi was among the key factors behind KKR’s revival in IPL 2021.
He clobbered 397 in 17 games at a strike rate of 140.28. Along with Iyer and Gill, Tripathi ensured that KKR’s run rate stayed healthy, whether batting first or during a chase. He slammed a blazing 74 not out off 42 in a seven-wicket triumph over MI and there were a few other breezy cameos as well.
Tripathi made his IPL debut in 2017 and has played a few handsome knocks in the league over the years. But this season, his talent truly came to the fore. The six he hit off Ravichandran Ashwin in the final over of Qualifier 2 against DC secured his place in IPL folklore.
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