The group stage of IPL is done and dusted. The World’s biggest cricket League finally has its top four who will play in the playoffs. In this week, players gave everything they had to make sure their team goes through. Some succeeded but some didn’t. However, we witnessed some amazing performances over the week. So let’s take a look at the top performers in the third week of IPL.
Here are the top five performers in the third week of IPL:
5. Axar Patel
Axar Patel has been in tremendous form in the UAE-leg of IPL. He continued his impressive show this week as well. Axar won consecutive man of the match awards against Mumbai and CSK. His spell of 3 for 21 against MI helped dc wrap up the star studded MI batting lineup for 128. DC then chased the target in the last over.
Axar starred in the next match as well as he picked up 2 wickets by giving just 18 runs against CSK. Axar was bowling well against RCB as well. He picked up the wicket of dangerous AB De Villiers and would have had Maxwell twice if DC fielders had supported him well.
4. KS Bharat
KS Bharat played an innings of a lifetime as he took RCB over the line with an anti-climatic finish against DC. RCB were chasing 165 on a tricky Dubai wicket. DC had gained a stronghold as Bangalore were reeling at 24 for 2 after the powerplay. But Bharat, along with man in form Maxwell had other plans.
Bharat scored his first IPL half century. This was also the first fifty plus score by a number 3 RCB batter this season. Scoring 78*, Bharat struck 3 fours and 4 sixes. Most importantly, he was able to hit the penultimate ball of Avesh Khan for a six when 5 runs were required. Undoubtedly, DC’s bowling attack is the best in the tournament. KS Bharat, despite being a domestic player, showed immense courage, temperament and skill to take RCB home.
3. Kl Rahul
This week, Kl Rahul showed everyone that he can bat in any fashion. He can play the sheet anchor role but when the opportunity presents itself, he can be very destructive as well. Against RCB, PBKS were chasing 165 on a sluggish Sharjah pitch. Scoring 38 off 35 balls, Rahul played an anchor role as Mayank was the aggressor. However, PBKS lost the match by 6 runs. But in the next game, Rahul showed a complete turnaround in his batting style.
Rahul dismantled the CSK bowling lineup as PBKS chased down a modest total of 135 inside 13 overs. Rahul scored a breathtaking 98* off just 42 balls. His innings included 7 fours and 8 maximums. Rahul is currently the orange cap holder with a significant amount of lead. But as Punjab’s campaign is over, it is uncertain if he will retain his position. However, KL Rahul has the highest average among the top run scorers.
2. Glenn Maxwell
The big-show continued to be a hit-show in the ongoing IPL. He is single handedly carrying RCB’s middle order as AB hasn’t fired in the tournament yet. Maxi scored a match winning fifty against Punjab Kings on a damp Sharjah wicket. He took the Punjab bowling apart and made batting look easy on a difficult Sharjah pitch. In the next game against SRH, he scored crucial 40 off just 25 balls on a pitch where batsmen were finding it tough to middle the ball.
RCB were fancying their chances of chasing 142 when Maxwell was on the crease. But unfortunately, Maxwell was run out courtesy of an amazing throw from Kane Williamson and the chase fell apart. But Maxwell learnt from his mistakes and was quick to rectify it. Against DC, he stuck till the end and scored a match-winning fifty against the best bowling lineup in this season. Maxwell stitched a 100-run stand with KS Bharat as RCB chased the target on the last ball.
1. Ishan Kishan
Ishan Kishan was completely out of touch in this year’s IPL. Whether it was the India-leg or the UAE-leg, Kishan was not able to score runs and justify his talent. Many critics questioned his place in India’s squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup. But as soon as he returned as an opener, his fortunes changed. His comeback game was against Rajasthan Royals where Mumbai were chasing 90. Kishan played the first over maiden but unleashed afterwards. He scored his first fifty of this season off just 25 balls and Mumbai chased the target inside 9 overs.
In the next game, Mumbai required a miracle to qualify for the play-offs. Kishan almost pulled the rabbit out of the hat as he played a splendid innings of 84. He completely destroyed SRH bowlers in the powerplay as Mumbai scored 82 in the first six overs. Mumbai won the match at the end but they were not able to win it by the margin required. However, good news for the Indian fans is that Kishan regained form and confidence just before the World Cup.
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