The IPL is in its 12th season and has come a long way since it started in 2008. One can vividly remember the night it all started. Over the years the quality of cricket has only gone up. IPL has also had its share of controversies but the bandwagon continues to move forward strongly.
Some best moments of cricket history are caught in IPL. Let’s have a look at some of the players who have been simply outstanding in this tournament over the years and what we can expect from them this season.
- Suresh Raina: Suresh Raina continues to be an enigma in Indian colours but he is unarguably a legend in the IPL. He is like one of those stars who suddenly becomes a superstar every time the IPL starts. He enjoys the IPL the most and his outstanding numbers bear testimony to that. Raina has been the leading run getter across 8 seasons and has been the most consistent batsman in the IPL.
- Chris Gayle: Gayle has become synonymous with his whirlwind knocks in the IPL and he has continued to instill fear in opposition’s mind every time he has stepped on to the field. Gayle’s highest IPL score of 175 not out off 66 balls shows that he doesn’t really care about a certain clan called bowlers. He has the ability to effortlessly smash any bowler out of the park. As seen these days, he is prepared to play the waiting game as well.
- AB De Villiers: AB De Villiers can do almost anything with a bat in hand. He can play the scoop, the reverse lap, the mighty hoick, the switch-hit and almost everything an imaginative cricket brain can think of and he can play them effortlessly. He is known as a 360 degree batsman for this very reason.
- Virat Kohli: Kohli is at the peak of his game right now. Kohli’s mental toughness coupled with adaptability makes him arguably the greatest cricketer of this era.
- Sunil Narine: Narine has simply been magnificent over the years for KKR with all those variations in his kitty. He varies his pace cleverly and is extremely difficult to pick. He has always been mighty effective on the Eden wicket, which always tends to offer something for the slower bowlers.
- David Warner: Warner has always been pretty aggressive at the top. The pocket dynamite is able to give those thunderous starts at the top of the order. He has been a part of the IPL for a long time now and he would desperately want to create history by leading his team to victory.
- David Miller: Miller is someone who plays under the shadows of Amla, De Villiers and Du Plessis for his country but becomes extremely dangerous. And just like Raina, he will be leading his franchise for the first time.
- Rohit Sharma: There are hardly a few things better in the world than watching an on-song Rohit Sharma bat. He is at times questioned for his underwhelming performances but there is no denying the fact that this man is extremely special.
- Lasith Malinga: He has been the spearhead of the Mumbai bowling attack for a long time now and Mumbai Indians would dearly want him to be fit and on top his game this season.
- Mahendra Singh Dhoni: He is someone who always seems to be in control of the situation. As far as his batting is concerned, he could play the floater in the line-up and might come out to bat depending on the number of overs remaining in the game.
- Andre Russell: He is one of the most dangerous batsman and has the capability to win any match with his amazing batting skills.
- Moeen Ali: Even, as he might look like a calm lad, he has the ability to smash sixes and fours and change the game.