With World’s Biggest Cricket League Indian Premier League (IPL) season 7 in about to start in couple of days, we shall look at five batsmen who had to be watched out as they can be proved out to be dangerous for opposition and also they can be expected to be in the race of Orange Cap.
Top five batsmen to be watched out in the IPL 2014:
5. Kevin Pietersen:
Even been the leading run scorer in international field for his nation Kevin Pietersen has been declared as he will not be considered for selection keeping an eye over the team’s future. This announcement from the board had made the South African born English Cricketer disappointing. And that help in to gain a good price at IPL auction brought by Delhi Daredevils using Right to match card. This will be a good opportunity to show his ability and what the selectors will be missing. He will be a bit more responsible player as he will lead the side under the coaching Gary Kirsten. Kevin is normally a good hitter of ball and known for his switch hits and reverse sweeps. He hasn’t played much in the IPL as he till now featured in just 21 games in which he scored 634 runs at a good average over 40 and with a strike rate above 140.
4. Virender Sehwag:
One the Dashing Openers India has produced, Sehwag stands top in the list. He is known for going for big shots straight for the moment comes in. After getting ousted from the National Team in 2013 he hasn’t show signs of form. But with just one month before the new season of IPL he scored 342 runs in 7 innings at an average of 57. A player like him will be dangerous even out of form, but with been among runs he will be very dangerous in the IPL. Looking at his past IPL record he is the quickest to score 200 runs considering no. of balls faced and also has better strike rate than Chris Gayle. He will be playing for Kings XI Punjab this time after going to them in auctions.
3. AB de Villiers:
AB de Villiers who unorthodox shots perfectly suits the T20 format is undoubtedly one among the bests. He is one of the stylish batsmen who can slog with taking the responsibility of the wicket. He comes around No.4 and No.5 and starts smashing straight away. He one of those batsmen who can take on bowlers like Steyn and counter them. He has a healthy record in IPL with 1662 runs at an average of 35 with a good strike rate of 135. He will represent Royal Challengers Bangalore after the team management decided to retain him before auctions.
2. Rohit Sharma:
Called as Hit-man with Hit in his name as well as in his batting Rohit Sharma is the second leading run scorer in IPL history. Most of his hits coming in IPL as his inconsistency continued on International field. But after the last IPL he has been a consistent scorer with smashing a Double century too in ODIs last year. He continued his form in recently concluded World T20 been the fourth leading run scorer. Known as a better player with responsibility, captaining Mumbai Indians will surely help to bring out his best. He is normally a good T20 batsman and considered as India’s best T20 after Raina glancing at their records. He scored 2513 runs at a decent average of 32 and a healthy T20 Strike rate of 129.
1. Virat Kohli:
Known as the best chaser in the world after Usain Bolt, a machine that made to score runs with chase mode on, Virat Kohli is creating sensations in present Cricket. He is expected to beat records of batting great Sachin Tendulkar, but he might chase them with at least 10 years of cricket to spare with him. He gets ready to any challenge and brings out his best while chasing totals. With a form he is at present is expected to grab the Orange Cap to become just the second Indian to win it. His power lies in the effective strokes and slogs towards the end with similar strokes but finds the gaps easily. He will be captaining Royal Challengers Bangalore similar to previous season after all they retained him. He has a decent record in IPL but it could be better if he have not begun too young. He scored 2273 at an average of 31.5 with a healthy strike rate of 125.
