Disclaimer: All views expressed are personal. This is no official listing but expressed in the public interest.
The Indian Premier League 2018 season has been a roller coaster, not just because of the variations in the points table but also because of the controversies that surround it.
While IPL is presumed to be pre-scripted, it lends an opportunity to our domestic players to showcase their talent. In the excitement of the 20-20 match series, some players put their best foot forward and some others make it the ‘no ball’ of their career.
Yes, we are talking of the best domestic players of Vivo IPL 2018, who won the hearts of us all. Here are 5 best IPL 2018 players, who have crafted their strong introduction with their performance.
RISHABH PANT
He is a very good sign for the future of Indian cricket. This wicket keeper batsman was up to the mark, more consistent and mature from previous years.
Rishabh Pant could have been the highest run scorer but was left behind by Kane Williamson in the few extra matches that SRH played.
He scored 684 runs at a strike rate of 173.6 . He had hit 37 sixes (maximum in the league) and therefore, showed his big hitting skills.
LOKESH RAHUL
Making sure that selectors don’t miss him this time, Lokesh Rahul was the reason of Punjab’s initial success. He scored 659 runs at a strike rate of 158.6 with 32 sixes he made sure that every time he opened, Punjab got a fiery start.
He also came in handy with the gloves just to tighten the competition for the other wicket keepers in the Indian circuit.
SIDDARTH KAUL
He bowled every bowl as it was his first. Siddarth Kaul, is full of energy and has been an important part of the indomitable SRH bowling line up. Just 3 wickets short of the purple cap, Kaul took 21 wickets at an economy of 8.28.
He bowled at any stage of the innings. Be it the start, in the mid or the end. He didn’t care about anything but his bowling. It did dent his economy a little, but he was surely a surprise act to all.
AMBATI RAYUDU
Sent to bat at a position he was new to, he took the opportunity with both hands.
Ambati Rayudu, opening for the first time for Chennai Super Kings, scored 602 runs in 16 matches with a strike rate of nearly 150.
He made sure that he provided a good start. He tried to stay at the crease as long as possible. Besides his bating glamour, Rayudu was also electric in the field. He was quick in saving runs and taking catches.
M.S. DHONI
The most loved Indian cricketer, the Man who needs no introduction, MS Dhoni, when we thought was towards the closing ends of his career, surprised us. He showed us the Dhoni we have long known.
In IPL 2018, he scored 455 runs at a strike rate of 150+, hit 30 sixes, back to destroying bowlers in the death. He also did amazing work behind the stumps and at last led his team to victory. Dhoni did it all.
Maybe there were better players who could have taken this spot, but you got to give it to the man. These 5 make up the list of the best domestic players of Indian Premier League 2018.
But having talked about the best players of IPL 2018, let us add more value to our knowledge by finding out the worst domestic players of Indian Premier League 2018. These are those players who have wasted the money the league has invested on them.
SARFARAZ KHAN
The biggest disappointment and heartbreak is to see Sarfaraz Khan, a talented player struggle and fail consistently.
Only scoring 51 runs in the 7 matches, with a petty strike rate of 124, Sarfaraz struggled to be in the team. He was retained by RCB to strengthen the middle order, but Sarfaraz succumbed.
JAYDEV UNADKAT
Bought by Rajasthan Royals at 11.5 Cr, as the lead of their bowling attack, based on his last year’s glory with the Supergiants, Jaydev Unadkat didn’t even come close to justifying his price.
Although auction prices can be too harsh on the player, the team expected more from him. He took just 11 wickets with economy touching 9. A disappointing player for 2018 IPL season.
ROHIT SHARMA
The Mumbai Indians captain, Rohit Sharma, didn’t get going throughout the tournament. It costed the defending champions by not even qualifying for the playoff. Now this can be too demanding off him but as an Indian International opener, it is justified.
He scored only 266 runs in 14 matches, putting pressure on his team. The matches in which he performed, MI won and rest went like that. His captaincy was also not as confident as the previous years. May be the number of close loses they had took a toll on him.
AXAR PATEL
Axar Patel was the only player retained by Punjab at a whopping 12.5 Cr. Being listed as an all-rounder, the strategy seemed legit, but it didn’t work for the team. Ultimately, jack of all trades, didn’t live up.
Axar took only 3 wickets, though his role was to contain (economy was 8.38) but that is too less for your 5th bowler. He didn’t help much in batting too. Somehow coach Virender Sehwag sent him before Yuvraj Singh on multiple occasions.
HARBHAJAN SINGH
Into his later career, Bhajji was shown in a lot of confidence by M.S. Dhoni. He failed to capitalize, he was able to take only 7 wickets despite bowling 4 overs in nearly every match.
He was not able to contain as well, conceding 8.5 runs per over. This was too big and realizing this, MS didn’t give him the bowl in the last matches that CSK played.
With players like Ambati Rayudu, Siddarth Kaul, Lokesh Rahul, Rishabh Pant and MS Dhoni becoming the attraction of 2018 Indian Premier League, players like Harbhajan Singh, Sarfaraz Khan, Jaydev Udakat, Axar Patel and Rohit Sharma, added fuel to the fire.
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