The on-going Indian Premier League (IPL) season 2018 is witnessing some magnificent performances by several players from all the eight franchises. Youngsters, especially, are making their presence count with not just their performances with bat and ball but also with on-field athleticism and breathtaking catches.
Bowlers like Avesh Khan, Ankit Rajpoot, Shivam Mavi and Mohammed Siraj, among others are almost bowling at a speed nearby 150 kmph, a mark rarely touched by the bowlers in cricket.
With the bat, youngsters like Ishan Kishan, Prithvi Shaw, Shubman Gill and Rishabh Pant among others are demonstrating some jaw-dropping cricket.
Besides, experienced players like Suresh Raina, Chris Gayle and others in their mid 30’s are playing some phenomenal game during this on-going season.
More interestingly, in IPL 2018, wicket-keepers are playing a role of game-changers with the bat. This is for the first time in IPL history that almost all wicket-keeper batsmen are taking the game away from their opponents single-handedly.
Let’s have a look at the wicket-keeper batsman who impressed us this season:
MS Dhoni – Chennai Super Kings skipper started this IPL 2018 season under pressure from critics. Many of them were in a view that Dhoni was not so fit as he used to do be. His reflections were also under scrutiny. But, the former World Cup-winning Indian captain proved all of them wrong.
MS Dhoni – the fielderhttps://t.co/hBvwNv994o
— Faizal Khan (@faizalkhanm9) 25 April 2018
In this IPL season, Dhoni has been scoring runs at a Strike Rate of 165.89. In 10 outings, he has scored 360 runs with 79 as his highest and three fifties under his name. Out of 360, Dhoni has scored 238 runs in fours and sixes.
— Faizal Khan (@faizalkhanm9) 30 April 2018
Moreover, 36-year-old Dhoni is at number one on the list of most sixes by a batsman in this IPL season. He has smashed 27 sixes so far. CSK retained their captain Dhoni for Rs 17 crore.
Ishan Kishan – This 19-year-old wicket-keeper batsman has been in phenomenal form this year. He played some match-winning knocks for Mumbai Indians, including against Kolkata Knight Riders where he smashed quickfire 21-ball 62. In 11 games, the left-handed batsman has amassed 238 runs with 2 fifties in his credit. 62 is his highest till now. Out of 238, Kishan has scored 170 runs in boundaries (20×4, 15×6). He was bought by MI for Rs. 6.2 Crores.
Rishabh Pant – On May 10, Pant became the first Indian batsman to score a ton in this IPL season. He achieved this feat against Sunrisers Hyderabad during Match Number 42 of IPL 2018. Left-handed batsman Pant smashed SRH bowlers all around the park to complete his maiden IPL ton. Pant smashed 15 boundaries and 7 sixes in his breathtaking unbeaten 63-ball 128-run knock. With his 7 sixes against SRH, Pant equals MS Dhoni’s tally (27 Sixes) of most sixes in this season so far.
Dabang Panthttps://t.co/c9eXvfH7X7
— Faizal Khan (@faizalkhanm9) 10 May 2018
Besides, Pant (1085 runs) also became the 5th highest scorer for DD after Virender Sehwag (2174), David Warner (1435), Gautam Gambhir (1182) and Shreyas Iyer (1161).
Pant’s this knock came after BCCI selectors ignored him for the upcoming T20 series against England and Ireland in June-July.
KL Rahul – Kings XI Punjab’s new recruit, KL Rahul smashed the fastest fifty in the IPL history this season. He took just 14 balls to achieve this feat. Right-handed wicket-keeper batsman is at number 3 on the list of most runs by a batsman in IPL 2018.
When KL Rahul turned the EA Sports Mode onhttps://t.co/9S4SuwZXgT
— Faizal Khan (@faizalkhanm9) 8 April 2018
He has 471 runs under his name in 10 games with 53 fours and 19 sixes.
Meanwhile, IPL 2018 will be concluded on May 27 at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.
