Here are the biggest names in the IPL 2018 so far.
The 11th edition of Indian Premier League (IPL 2918) is at the halfway stage with every team having played at least seven matches so far. There have been some memorable performances in the first half of IPL 2018. Some players have attacted a lot of attention with their performance so far.
Here are some of the names that everyone's been talking about:
Chris Gayle
The Big Man took over IPL 2018 from his very first match this season. After being ignored in the first rounds of IPL 2018 players aution and then being bought by KXIP for his base prize, Gayle had wait couple of matches to debut for his new side.
However, The Universe Boss did not waste a moment to make an impact. He scored an attacking half-century to announce his return.
In the very next match, the West Indies batsman destroyed the best bowling attack in the league (SRH) to become the first person to score a hundred in IPL 2018.
Gayle was then 'modest' enough to point out that Virender Sehwag may have saved the Indian Premier League by buying him.
Chris Gayle has looked dangerous in every match and may lead KXIP to their first ever IPL title.
Whatever may happen one thing is certain- there will no shortage of entertainment as long as Gayle is arround.
Gautam Gambhir
Gautam Gambhir's homecoming to Delhi didn't turn out as planned- he had to resign after string of bad performances. He then decided to sit out of the next game also - all for the greater good of the team.
He also forfeited his salary as he was not producing results for the side. His gesture earned him a lot of praise from the fans and faithfuls of Delhi Daredevils.
Gambhir leaving captaincy (and dropping out of playing XI) midway into the tournament does not guarantee resurrection of the side but the left-hander's decision has given the team management a chance to infuse new life into the franchise with new ideas.
Gambhir the batsman would still be critical if a turnaround has to happen for the Daredevils but it remains to be seen if he remains in the playing XI.
Sanju Samson
Sanju Samson has been one of the best performers in Indian Premier League. Kerala youngster is rated highly and has played some memorable knocks in the previous editions of the league. This season has not been different.
Samson has been the only consistent performer for Rajasthan Royals so far. His knock against Royal Challengers Bangalore stands as another testimony to his skill. Samson thrilled the spectators and ended up with a magnificent 92 off 45 balls, consisting 2 fours and 10 sixes.
Samson held the IPL 2018 Orange Cap for a while and been contributing with some useful innings in the other matches.
He also generated some headlines when Vinod Kambli challenged him to either score a hundred or win the Orange Cap.
Samson has been knocking on the doors of the Indian national team for a while now. A great IPL 2018 may finally earn him an oppurtunity.
Mayank Markande
Mayank Markande has been the find of the season. The Punjab-born Markande has surprised everyone with his peformance for defending champions MI. The leggie and has bowled well in all games after making a fantastic debut against Chennai Super Kings.
He picked up three wickets, which included the prize scalps of Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Suresh Raina. He almost turned the game in MI's favour.
Former India spinner Venkatapathy Raju has also praised him and termed control as the rookie's strongest point.
Ambati Rayudu
Ambati Rayudu has been the unsung hero of IPL 2018. The 32-year-old joined Chennai Super Kings this season and what a season it has been so far for him. Rayudu has been in the form of his life so far.
He is enjoying the best season in IPL since his debut in 2010. He’s also on the verge of eclipsing his 2011 tally of 395 runs, having scored 329 runs in just seven matches this season.
Rayudu has been aggressive, hitting sixes and fours and scoring at will. He has been doing the job while the focus has been on more fancied teammates like Dhoni and Bravo.
In the past seasons, Rayudu used to throw his wicket away if things didn’t go his way but this time around he has shown maturity to bide his time and pick the right deliveries to get going again.
He currently leads the race for Orange Cap.
It seems that the CSK management trust him too as this statement by his coach Stephen Fleaming shows, “He has the backing of the team to play aggressively. He is now experiencing how good he can be. His power game has gone unnoticed, but we have certainly valued it. And the performances he has put in this year have been instrumental in winning games and also staying in the games. I couldn’t be happier with it.”
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
 "Gautam Gambhir")
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}