With the IPL at the half-way mark, there’s been no shortage of entertainment in India’s elite T20 competition so far. Whether it’s been run-outs, wickets or boundaries, the league has lived up to its expectation as one of the best tournaments on the cricketing calendar.
There’s still four weeks to go before we know who will reign supreme on May 27, but with the first-half of the season done, we look at the best five players that have stood out in India.
SIDDARTH KAUL – SUNRISERS HYDERABAD
The 27-year-old pacer has yet to represent India but he is certainly pressing his case with a sensational start so far. With Bhuvneshwar Kumar recovering from injury, Kaul has led the pace attack and delivered on a consistent basis. Sits joint-top of the tally charts with 11 scalps from eight games with an economy of 6.87.
KANE WILLIAMSON – SUNRISERS HYDERABAD
Replaced David Warner just days before the tournament but the Kiwi is certainly making an impact in his captaincy role. Not only has the batsman led by example by scoring the second most runs (322), but he also has most half-centuries with four. His decisions on the field have been key in Sunrisers winning games.
MS DHONI – CHENNAI SUPER KINGS
Despite being 36, MS Dhoni is proving there’s plenty left in the tank. The ex-Indian captain might sit fourth in the run-charts with 286 runs, but his two match-winning unbeaten knocks puts him on this list. Chasing RCB’s 206, he smashed 70 off 34 balls to pull off an unlikely victory and later hit 51no against Delhi.
TRENT BOULT – DELHI DAREDEVILS
His team might well be bottom of the standings but the fact the left-arm pacer is joint-top wicket-taker tells you everything about the Kiwi. Whether it’s been at the start or at the death, Boult has hardly put a foot wrong and been a mainstay of Delhi. And who can forget his extraordinary catch that left Virat Kohli and the world in awe?
Has only played four out of eight games but the West Indian has shown yet again why he’s one of the most destructive T20 batsmen of all-time. Announced himself in style with a fifty in his first game before going on to become the first centurion of the 2018 edition with his unbeaten 104. Having added another fifty to his tally, he has already smashed 23 sixes (joint-most in the competition) and 14 fours with a staggering strike-rate of 161.53.