The 12th Edition of Indian Premier League (IPL) began with a great show of batsmen scoring the maximum runs and setting new records. Many people are already taking the IPL craze ahead by playing fantasy cricket and winning prizes. While the 11th edition of IPL saw several hard-hitters such as Kane Williamson, Rishabh Pant, Lokesh Rahul, Ambati Rayudu, Shane Watson, and many more, the new season of IPL had a bag of surprises in regards to highest scorers and strong batting.
- David Warner (SRH)
To start with, David Warner of SRH has maintained a top position in the race of Orange Cap. Out of 9 matches, David has already scored 517 runs, and counting. He is also one of the favourites of players on fantasy cricket online games. The Orange Cap is a cricket award given every year to player who finished the IPL season with leading runs.
The leading scorer gets to wear the cap on the field throughout the tournament. It is interesting to note that no batsman has won this cap continually in two consecutive IPL seasons. In IPL 2018, the Orange Cap winner was Kane Williamson from the Sunrisers Hyderabad, and probably this year, it will be David Warner, if he is not overtaken by any other player.
- Jonny Bairstow (SRH)
To join Warner is yet another batsman from SRH, Jonny Bairstow who scored 445 runs in 9 matches with 114 as his highest score. Whoever has a fantasy cricket app definitely chooses Jonny in the team to play IPL matches on the internet because of his brilliant shot selections. Warner on the other hand retains 100 as his highest score till date in the IPL 2019. The power-hitting of the duo has helped SRH win several matches.
- Gayle, Dhawan, KL Rahul
Delhi and Punjab are not far behind. We have Chris Gayle from Kings XI Punjab with 421 runs and Shikhar Dhawan from DC with 401 runs. The highest score till 21 April for both was 99 and 97, respectively, missing a century just by a few runs. We then have KL Rahul on the fifth spot with 399 runs. He too belongs to KXIP and giving a close competition to Dhawan. Rahul’s highest score in IPL 2019 is 100.
- Andre Russell (KKR)
Coming to KKR, who can forget the mighty Andre Russell? He has played a crucial role for the Kolkata Knight Riders from their very first match. Several of the matches that KKR won, have been possible only because of the hard-hitting of Russell. Andre has scored a total of 392 runs even after coming down the order in batting, smashing huge sixes and boundaries.
He is one having the best strike rate, even if his highest score for now is just 65, not to mention a hot favourite of people who play fantasy cricket and win cash daily, because he is the one to bank on to score maximum from minimum number of balls.
The humble Russell credits Chris Gayle who shared some important tips on power-hitting with him and told Andre to use bigger and stronger bats.
- S. Dhoni (CSK), a Special Mention
We will also mention M.S Dhoni (314 runs) the ‘Captain Cool’ of Chennai Super Kings. Though he is down to the 13th position his unforgettable, fantastic, and unbeaten knock of 84 runs from just 48 balls is worth a mention. In a sweat-breaking match against RCB, which finally Bangalore won, CSK were down to 26 from the final over.
It was Dhoni who stumped everyone with sixes and boundaries on every ball. Unfortunately, his bat did not contact the final delivery. As a result Parthiv Patel was run-out, costing CSK the match.
- Other Hard-Hitters IPL 2019
The other notable hard-hitters this IPL 2019 are Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant, Quinton de Kock, and Ab De Villiers, each scoring 378, 336, 378, and 332, respectively and each having highest score till date as 100, 78, 81, and 75, respectively.
Final Thoughts
As the 12th edition of IPL progresses, we shall see several runs added to the already high scores of hard-hitters. The positions of highest scorers of the season may keep shifting depending on individual performance of these players. But with such powerful hitters in IPL 2019 will take your cricketing experience to the next level. So, you can expect maximum entertainment and cricket frenzy.
