IPL 2018: Top 5 candidates for the MVP award this season

Although last season’s winner Ben Stokes doesn’t look likely to win it this season, there have been some brilliant players that have a good chance of winning the Most Valued Player award. Though players like Chris Gayle and Rashid Khan have been brilliabt in their respective roles, they offer little to nothing in the opposite roles. While awarding this particular prize, different factors like batting, bowling, fielding, catching etc. are taken into consideration. So here are 5 players who are most likely to pip the MVP award this season.

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#5 AB de Villiers

Some of you might be surprised why he is not higher up on the list. If he was keeping wickets or even bowling his arm around like he did in the 2015 World Cup then maybe he would have been higher. There is no doubt that AB has been in terrific form. The current Orange cap holder has won many matches for RCB for many years.

Scoring at an average of 56 AB hs scored 280 runs at an awesome strike rate of 184, he surely is a serious contender. If he continues his great form then he might as well win the MVP.

#4 KL Rahul

KL Rahul so far has probably been the best signing of the season so far. He has been among the runs scoring 236 at an average of around 40, but the reason he is on this list is that he will keep wickets as well. This gives him the best chance of taking catches as well as stumpings and run-outs.

Not to forget that batting in the power-play means he has the license to hit boundaries which will surely increase his points. He has a strike rate of above 180 which is really astonishing.

#3 Shane Watson

Already scoring one century this season, Watson is a true contender for this big award. Mostly seeing how an all-rounder bags this prize, Shane Watson has a great chance this season as he has contributed with the bat and ball. The second highest run-getter for CSK this season, he has provided CSK the start they need in the powerplay.

Watson has struck at an unbelievable rate of above 160 and a total of 191 runs. He is also CSK's second highest wicket-taker. He is one of the favorites to win the MVP this season.

#2 Andre Russell

Seeing that Russell is injury prone he is not on the top of this list, but if he remains injury free throughout the season then he might just win this coveted prize. The big man has been striking at a rate of 229! He has played some absolute stunners so far this season. Although he has not contributed much to the ball he has taken a total of 5 catches this season which will definitely help him reach the top of the list. He has helped his team start well and he will have a major responsibility in carrying KKR to the top 4.

#1 Sunil Narine

He has been a real revelation this season. Although he was expected to continue his stint at the top of the order, what has been surprising is his bowling. We have started to see the old Narine which we saw in 2012. In 6 matches he has taken 8 wickets at an outstanding economy of 6.95.

Foxing batsman with his variations, Narine is the favorite to win this prize. He too at the top of the order has had successful outings striking it at a strike rate of over 160. If Sunil Narine continues the way he is playing currently, then he is sure to win the MVP.