A list of five best players in this year’s edition of IPL

Before this year’s edition winds down, we put together a list of five players who shown the brightest among a smattering of domestic and international stars. Here’s a look

1. Virat Kohli

With four centuries this season, Royal Challengers Bangalore captain Virat Kohli resurrected his team’s dwindling fortunes. (AFP)

No one in the history of IPL has been as authoritative with the bat as Virat Kohli. To score four centuries, including one in a 15-over game, speaks of a batsman completely in the zone where he believes he can do anything he wants to with bowlers. Most bowlers won’t disagree.

2. AB de Villiers

AB de Villiers guided RCB to the final with an unbeaten 79* after they were reduced to 29/5. (PTI)

Given the form Kohli has been in, AB de Villiers has done outstanding to well, stand out from the crowd. If Kohli is about those silky drives, de Villiers is the man who can play shots all round the wicket. But he also showed how to absorb pressure in the first qualifier by steering RCB out of a sticky 29/5 and guide them to a memorable win.

3. David Warner

Sunrisers Hyderabad skipper David Warner scored 93* to lead his team into IPL final. (Ajay Aggarwal/ HT Photo)

The Australian, unfortunately, hasn’t scored a century but he has been the only batsman consistently pulling the weight of the Sunrisers Hyderabad team in troubled times. Till Friday, Warner had scored 779 runs in the IPL. To be able to do that as well and lead the team to their first final speaks of Warner’s ability.

4. Bhuvneshwar Kumar

Sunrisers Hyderabad bowler Bhuvneshwar Kumar with 23 scalps is the highest wicket-taker in this year’s edition. (AFP)

Underrated and susceptible to injury, Bhuvneshwar Kumar decided to make this IPL his comeback vehicle. He has 23 wickets so far. When bowling captain Ashish Nehra was absent, it was Kumar who led the attack with exemplary discipline over his length, punctuated by those full deliveries that batsmen had difficulty keeping out.

5. Andre Russell

Kolkata Knight Riders Andre Russell was the best all-rounder in the league with a total 188 runs and took 15 wickets. (AFP)

To score close to 200 runs coming at No. 6 or 7 and also take 15 wickets requires great skills. Andre Russell showed that when he gets going with either bat or ball, it was very difficult to stop him. So significant was Russell’s expertise that his absence was possibly the reason behind KKR not getting past Sunrisers Hyderabad in the eliminator.