As the 10th edition of Indian Premier League season ends with Mumbai Indians clinching their third title, Taus Rizvi picks the best of 2017
Steve Smith
(Batsman, Rising Pune Supergiant)
Smith took over captaincy from MS Dhoni and the debate over this haunted the team whole season. However, the captain of Pune team was consistent and was one of the main reasons why the team made it to the final. Smith is also ideal to be the vice-captain.
M: 15, R: 472, HS: 84, Ave: 39.33, SR: 129.96, 100: 0, 50: 3
Gautam Gambhir
(Opener, Kolkata Knight Riders)
The Kolkata Knight Riders captain likes to lead by example. Gambhir is consistent and plays his cricket with a lot of intent and aggression. He also knows how to evolve and build an innings. He will be perfect batsman to open with Warner.
Mat: 16, Runs: 498, HS: 76*, Ave: 41.50, SR: 128.08, 100: 0, 50: 4
David Warner
(Opener, Sunrisers Hyderabad)
Is there a better opener than this Australian? Warner is by far the best limited-overs batsman in world cricket. He loves batting on flat tracks and IPL is the tournament he enjoys the most. The southpaw has been one of the most consistent batsmen in this tournament.
Mat: 14, Runs: 641, HS: 126, Ave: 58.27, SR: 141.81, 100: 1, 50: 4
Rohit Sharma
(Captain, Mumbai Indians)
The Mumbai Indians captain is the third leading run scorer in IPL history and the most successful captain (3 IPL titles) now after his team’s win over Rising Pune Supergiant in the final. He easily qualifies to be the captain for his ability to keep things simple.
Mat: 17, Runs: 333, HS: 62*, Ave: 23.79, SR: 121.97, 100: 0, 50: 3
Ben Stokes
(All-rounder, pacer, Rising Pune Supergiant)
Stokes is the most expensive foreigner in IPL. Bought for a jaw-dropping price of Rs 14.50 crore, the strapping Englishman justified his auction billing with his all-round show. He played a huge role in RPS making its maiden IPL final. His unavailability was also the main reason why RPS could not win the title.
Mat: 12, Runs: 316, HS: 103*, Ave: 31.60, SR: 142.98, 100: 1, 50: 1, Wkts: 12, BBI: 3/18, Eco: 7.18, 4w: 0
Bhuvneshwar Kumar
(Fast bowler, Sunrisers Hyderabad)
This is the second successive season, Bhuvi went home wearing the Purple Cap. The fast bowler from Meerut has been the go to man for his captain David Warner for his ability to vary pace and bowl those toe crushers. It wouldn’t be wrong to call him a trend setter.
Mat: 14, Wkts: 26, BBI: 5/19, Ave: 14.19, Eco: 7.05, 4w: 0, 5w: 1
Rishabh Pant
(wicketkeeper-batsman, Delhi Daredevils)
Those who have seen Pant’s 43-ball 97 against Gujarat Lions would raise their hands to keep this youngster in the XI. At 20, he is the most feared batsmen. He grew in stature when he joined the team after performing his father’s last rites.
Mat: 14, Runs: 366, HS: 97, Ave: 26.14, SR: 165.61, 100: 0, 50: 2
Jaydev Unadkat
(Left-arm pacer, Rising Pune Supergiant)
The Saurashtra lad finally came good and realised his potential while playing for RPS. The lanky pacer has everything a fast bowler should have — pace, swing, cutters, slower ones and the yorkers. Unadkat showed everything this season and will be the one to watch out for at the auction.
Mat: 12, Wkts: 25, BBI: 5/30, Ave: 13.41, Eco: 7.02, 4w: 0, 5w: 1
Jasprit Bumrah
(Seamer, Mumbai Indians)
It wouldn’t be wrong to say that Jaspreet Bumrah was the architect of Mumbai Indians success in the IPL 2017. Having played for several seasons for MI, the Gujarat pacer is the go-to man at the death. Not just that, he has overshadowed his mentor Lasith Malinga.
Mat: 16, Wkts: 20, BBI: 3/7, Ave: 22.00, Eco: 7.41, 4w: 0, 5w: 0
Krunal Pandya
(All-rounder, left-arm spinner, Mumbai Indians)
What is it that this man cannot do? You need him to hit sixes, he will clear the rope. You need him to stick around, he will do that too. He has a knack of picking up wickets with his unconventional style of bowling. He is quite economical. What else do you want from a T20 player?
Mat: 13, Runs: 243, HS: 47, Ave: 34.71, SR: 135.75, 100: 0, 50: 0, Wkts: 10, BBI: 3/14, Eco: 6.82, 4w: 0
Rashid Khan
(Leg-spinner, Sunrisers Hyderabad)
He made the headlines ever since this Associate nations player was bought for a cool Rs 4 crore by the Hyderabad franchise. The leggie has been a headache for the batsmen who struggled to read his pace and variations. He took wickets and was economical too.
Mat: 14, Wkts: 17, BBI: 3/19, Ave: 21.05, Eco: 6.62, 4w: 0
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