With the Lok Sabha Elections 2014 results being announced, the IPL 7 has taken a break of a couple of days. It is an apt moment to look at the best players in the event over the past month, as we head into the business end of the tournament. Here’s a look at the top five batsmen in IPL 7 so far.
Glenn Maxwell (Kings XI Punjab): Without doubt, he has been the player of the tournament as of now. There has never been any doubt about his amazing talent, but in this season he has been on another planet altogether. Irrespective of the situation, Maxwell has delivered under the most tense of circumstances. Whether it has been chasing or setting a target, Maxwell has been outright sensational. In 10 matches, he has scored 517 runs at an amazing strike rate of 198, with four scintillating half-centuries. He has smashed 46 fours and 34 sixes. If he continues in the same vein, Punjab can go all the way.
Dwayne Smith (Chennai Super Kings): The CSK opener has been the Mr. Consistent of the team by some distance. He and Brendon McCullum have given the team some excellent starts, which has been one of the key reasons why Chennai have performed so well this year too. While McCullum has also played a good part in Chennai’s success, it is Smith who has carried them through to many victories. His strokeplay has been exemplary during the event. In 10 matches, he has notched up 440 runs at a strike rate of 138. He has notched up as many as five 50s with the help of 36 fours and 29 sixes.
Robin Uthappa (Kolkata Knight Riders): Consistency has never been Uthappa’s forte, but in this season, he has shown a lot of application, something which we are not used to seeing from him. Kolkata have had an up and down time in the tournament, but Uthappa has played a big role in ensuring that KKR have stayed in the fray. He has formed a formidable partnership with skipper Gautam Gambhir at the top of the order, and has overcome some initial setbacks as well as personal issues. In 10 matches, he has managed 382 runs at a strike rate of 130. Uthappa has three fifties to his credit, including the flawless 80 against Mumbai. He has hit 40 fours and 11 sixes.
David Warner (Sunrisers Hyderabad): The Aussie left- hander has been among the bright spots for Hyderabad. In 10 matches, he has 341 runs to his credit at a strike rate of 129 with four fifties. Warner has succeeded at different positions, having hit 20 fours and 15 sixes.
JP Duminy (Delhi Daredevils): That Duminy is in the top five list in spite of the fact that his team is placed last in the rankings says a lot about his performance. In 11 matches, Duminy has scored 340 runs at a strike rate of 138 with two fifties. Duminy has hit 20 fours and 16 sixes.
--By A Cricket Analyst
