Surprise hits
Riyan Parag: Though just 22, Riyan can already be called somewhat of an IPL veteran. But it is only in this edition that the real Riyan has emerged. Rajasthan Royals, who have stuck with him since the 2018 auction, are reaping the harvest of a young talent they had invested in. With a range of shots at his disposal, Riyan’s clean-hitting is pleasant on the eye. Once criticised for being over-confident, the young batter has metamorphosed into a confident performer who is unfazed by pressure. It would not be surprising if he makes the cut for India’s T20 World Cup squad. Second only to Virat Kohli in terms of runs scored in IPL 2024 so far, Riyan’s rise has been quite startling. He is also among the top five six-hitters in this IPL.
IPL 2024: Matches 7 Runs 318 SR 161.42 4s/6s 22/20
Shivam Dube: Like Riyan, Dube too has been testing the IPL waters for quite a few years. He played for RCB, tried his luck in Rajasthan, but it is for Chennai Super Kings that he has unleashed his true potential. That Dube was a handy all-rounder was known, but never before had he made such an impact like this year. Opposition teams have begun fearing Dube’s big-hitting prowess. Pace or spin, Dube can hammer all kind of bowlers. In a team like CSK which is packed with quality batters, Dube leads the run-getters’ chart. Even bigger is the fact that he is being looked upon as an alternative to Hardik Pandya for the all-rounder’s slot in the upcoming T20 Cup.
IPL 2024: Matches 6 Runs 242 SR 163.51 4s/6s 20/1
Yuzvendra Chahal: Before Thursday’s Punjab Kings vs Mumbai Indians game, Chahal sat at the top of this IPL’s wicket-takers’ list with 12 scalps, two more than Jasprit Bumrah. If that’s not a statement, note this: after Chahal, the next 13 bowlers on the list for most dismissals are all pacers. Sunil Narine is a distant second among spinners with seven wickets. Not that there is any dearth of talent among the spinners playing in this IPL but leg-spinner Chahal has been miles ahead. Once India’s preferred choice in white-ball cricket, Chahal, failed to get a game in the last two World Cups. But this time, it will be hard to ignore Chahal.
IPL 2024: Matches 7 Wickets 12 Econ. 8.34 Dot balls 51
Sunil Narine: There’s a reason why West Indies’ T20 captain Rovman Powell is desperate to persuade Sunil Narine to come out of international retirement. Narine has been in scorching form and, interestingly, the off-spinner is more in demand for his batting. Not that KKR’s Narine has been bowling badly — he has 7 wickets from six matches and an economy of 6.87 — but as a left-handed opening batter, he is easily the X-factor. With a fifty and a hundred to his name, he features in the top five of the batters’ list. With the T20 World Cup being co-hosted by the West Indies, Narine can do wonders for the Caribbean team if Powell succeeds in his mission.
IPL 2024: Matches 6 Runs scored 276 Batting SR 187.75 Wkts taken 7 Econ. 6.87
FLOP SHOWS
Glenn Maxwell: Sunil Gavaskar’s take on Maxwell’s poor run in IPL 2024 sums it up best — “naam bade par darshan chhote.” The Australian carries with him a big reputation of being a game-changer because of his aggressive batting. But none of that has been on show in this IPL. After aggregating just 32 runs from six matches for RCB, Maxwell has opted out of the team to take an indefinite break. This has not been the first time but it’s RCB who has suffered the most for the failure of one of their stars.
IPL 2024: Matches 6 Runs scored 32 Batting SR 94.11 Wkts taken 4 Econ. 8.44
Yashasvi Jaiswal: He scored 712 runs, including two double tons, in the five-Test series against England preceding the IPL. However, in the IPL, playing for the Rajasthan Royals, Jaiswal has lost his touch big time. At times, he is getting the starts but is soon succumbing to the pressure. His fluent strokeplay should have served him well in the shortest format, but it has not been so. Some experts think that because he has now achieved a certain degree of stardom, he is trying too hard to impose himself on the game. With the selectors to meet soon to pick the India squad for the T20 World Cup, time is fast running out for the 22-year-old.
IPL 2024: Matches 7 Runs 121 SR 145.78 4s/6s 18/2
Ravichandran Ashwin: When Ashwin was included in the India squad for the 2023 ODI World Cup at the last minute, one felt that the wily off-spinner was making his way back into white-ball cricket. But his figures this IPL has come as a great shock to Ashwin and his backers. One wicket after bowling 23 overs in six matches — nothing actually can define why one of the best spinners in modern-day cricket has misfired in such a way. Considered a cerebral bowler who constantly tries to upgrade his skills and strategies, perhaps Ashwin, playing for Rajasthan Royals, is over-thinking.
IPL 2024: Matches 6 Wicket 1 Econ. 9.08 Dot balls 31
Mohammed Siraj: Not that his position in the Indian team is under any threat, but Siraj has been unusually off-colour this IPL. Last season, RCB’s Siraj had taken 19 wickets from 14 games, averaging 19.79. This time, his average is 57.25 as he has taken 4 wickets from six matches. Former spinner Harbhajan Singh thinks Siraj needs rest to rethink and recalibrate his skills. Can RCB afford to field a team without him?
IPL 2024: Matches 6 Wickets 4 Econ. 10.41 Dot balls 47
