PERFORMERS:
HARDIK PANDYA
Mts: 15 Runs scored: 487 SR: 131.26 Wkts: 8 Econ: 7.27
Doubters had raised questions on Hardik Pandya’s form and fitness. However, Pandya proved them all wrong, being a complete performer for champions Gujarat Titans. From his individual performance to how he has led the side in terms of making the right moves and bringing on the right bowlers at the right time, Pandya has got almost everything correct. The Titans captain played a big role in creating an ideal team environment as well.
JOS BUTTLER
Mts: 17 Runs: 863 SR: 149.05
Whenever Jos Buttler got going, it was a celebration of strokeplay. Clearing the front leg and making room for himself to bash the ball to all corners of the ground is Buttler’s strength. But the Englishman has shown that timing and placement too are a part of his game, hitting some delightful drives through both off and on side. Throughout this IPL, Buttler had to shoulder the batting workload for Rajasthan Royals, with some support from Sanju Samson and Shimron Hetmyer.
DAVID MILLER
Mts: 16 Runs: 481 SR: 142.72
This IPL has certainly brought about a revival of David Miller, who finished as the Titans’ third highest run-getter after skipper Pandya and Shubman Gill. The assurance he got from Pandya worked wonders for Miller, who made full use of it. Alongside his abilities as a finisher, what also stood out was his efficiency in dealing with the situation and taking the game deep. He’s also a much better player against spin now which Miller proved in Qualifier I.
YUZVENDRA CHAHAL
Mts: 17 Wkts: 27 Econ: 7.75
Snubbed by the previous Indian team management during last year’s T20 World Cup, Royals’ Yuzvendra Chahal has bounced back well. And this IPL was a testament to his further progress as a leg-spinner, especially in terms of flight variation and getting that extra bit of turn that can all of a sudden catch batsmen off guard. That went on to help Chahal even on wickets loaded in favour of batsmen. On a belter of a track at the Brabourne in Mumbai, he claimed a five-for, including a hat-trick.
WANINDU HASARANGA
Mts: 16 Wkts: 26 Econ: 7.54
Wanindu Hasaranga may go for a few runs, but he does have that ability to strike back. The Sri Lankan leg-spinner also has the wrong’un which can be equally effective, while he can also bowl the length that can make batsmen err. For sure, Hasaranga’s exploits were a big factor in earning the Royal Challengers Bangalore a playoffs berth. Had the other players in his team been a little more consistent, RCB would have had a better finish.
UMRAN MALIK
Mts: 14 Wkts: 22 Econ: 9.03
Searing pace has been the forte of Umran Malik, the emerging player of IPL 2022. It were his 150kmph-plus deliveries that earned him 22 wickets in this edition, which even earned India squad berth for the upcoming five-T20I home series versus South Africa beginning from June 9. But in some matches, the same 150-plus missiles were hammered by the quality batsmen and Umran then looked clueless. This IPL should be a good learning experience for the Sunrisers pacer.
MOHSIN KHAN
Mts: 9 Wkts: 14 Econ: 5.96
Even the best bowlers in business find it tough to keep their economy rate down to six in T20s. But this left-arm quick from Uttar Pradesh finished with an economy rate lesser than six per over, which reflects his control and discipline. Mohsin Khan didn’t play too many matches in this IPL for Lucknow Super Giants, but in almost every game, he made early inroads. One of Mohsin’s strengths is his change of pace. He can bowl at 140kmph and can also bring it down to 120kmph with good deception.
UNDERPERFORMERS:
VENKATESH IYER
Mts: 12 Runs: 182 SR: 107.69
One had a lot of expectations from Venkatesh Iyer after his success for KKR last year, followed by an impressive showing in the T20I series versus the West Indies back in February. But in this IPL, the left-handed batsman wasn’t even half as good as he was last year, neither as an opener nor in the middle order. A fifty and a 24-ball 43 versus Mumbai Indians are all he can flaunt. Iyer needs to do a fair bit of work with his batting if he is to stay in the limelight.
DEVDUTT PADIKKAL
Mts: 17 Runs: 376 SR: 122.87
Devdutt Padikkal too is another young batsman who made a lot of promises with his impressive showing in the previous two editions. But this year, the left-hander just couldn’t get going for Royals. Throughout the competition, Padikkal was allowed to bat at top four with the Royals team management showing enough patience in him. Not that he didn’t get starts, but Padikkal failed to convert most of them. Like Iyer, Padikkal also needs to make sure he gets his shot selection sorted.
RISHABH PANT
Mts: 14 Runs: 340 SR: 151.78
The Delhi Capitals captain finished with an excellent strike rate in this IPL. But one of the reasons why Delhi couldn’t make the last four was Pant’s inability to convert his starts and play a long innings. On several occasions, he was dismissed even when well set and at a wrong time, which only dented Delhi’s progress and helped their opponents back in the game. As captain, his use of the review was poor, which too cost Delhi a playoffs berth.
VARUN CHAKRAVARTHY
Mts: 11 Wkts: 6 Econ: 8.51
The ‘mystery’ spinner looked to have forgotten his craft and his failure was one of the big reasons for KKR’s struggle this year. Chakravarthy not just failed to get wickets, but leaked runs as well along with his tendency to bowl no-balls. Precisely, Chakravarthy hardly had any impact in most of the matches he was selected. In fact, it even appeared that just because he was among those retained by the franchise, he got a chance in the final XI. He needs to rediscover his spin.
KANE WILLIAMSON
Mts: 13 Runs: 216 SR: 93.50
For a player of Kane Williamson’s calibre and stature, one would only be baffled to see him finish with such dismal figures. What exactly went wrong with the Sunrisers Hyderabad captain? Captaincy wasn’t a burden as he has been leading New Zealand with aplomb in all formats since 2016. Such was Williamson’s lean patch in this IPL that even his good starts counted for nothing. Williamson’s failure was certainly a huge factor behind the Sunrisers not making the cut for the playoffs.
VIRAT KOHLI
Mts: 16 Runs: 341 SR: 115.98
The two half-centuries that Virat Kohli scored, especially the 54-ball 73 in RCB’s must-win game against Gujarat Titans to keep their playoff hopes alive, certainly gave his fans reasons to cheer. But in the following Eliminator and Qualifier II, the former India and RCB skipper didn’t look to be settled at all, which only reflected that the innings versus the Titans was just a one-off case and he still has to sort his issues… Especially, the ones outside the off-stump.
ROHIT SHARMA
Mts: 14 Runs: 268 SR: 120.17
Rohit Sharma’s lean patch came at a time when the Mumbai Indians needed him the most. Strangely, his tough time just kept going and going right through the competition, turning out to be a crucial reason behind the five-time champions finishing last this season after failing to make the playoffs last year as well. Even when Rohit looked set in some matches, he still somehow or the other couldn’t convert it into a big one.
RIYAN PARAG
Mts: 17 Runs: 183 SR: 138.63
Apart from one 50-plus score, all one can remember about Riyan Parag from IPL 2022 is the youngster faking a catch and his out-of-place mannerisms on the field of play. Experts often call him a talented cricketer and he also gets the necessary backing from his franchise, the Royals. But he is yet to do anything of note. His exaggerated sense of confidence and swagger looks odd given his ordinary performances. Only performance matters in top-level sport, the kid has to understand that.