The 11th edition of India’s cash-rich tournament, the Indian Premier League (IPL) is half-way done with all teams having played at least seven matches so far. There is no denial that the first half was quite exciting with players giving some memorable all-round performances. The race to finish in the top-four and qualify for the playoffs is heating up. There are several new caps and uncapped players who are impressing the audience with their performance.
We have seen some outstanding performances in the tournament in the first-half and the second-half is going to be a lot more fun. Meanwhile, here we check the best all-stars playing XI for IPL 2018 so far:
Shane Watson (CSK)
Shane Watson during the 2018 IPL match. / AFP PHOTO / INDRANIL MUKHERJEE / GETTYOUT
It won’t be wrong if we term former Aussie cricketer Shane Watson the best all-rounder of this season. He has played some of the best knocks in IPL. Thanks to his all-round performance alongside with other teammates, his team Chennai Super Kings (CSK) are placed at the top of the table. Watson also scored a century to his name.
Chris Gayle (KXIP)
Chris Gayle celebrates his century during the 2018 IPL match between against Sunrisers Hyderabad. / AFP PHOTO / CHANDAN KHANNA
Gayle dodges his team-mate KL Rahul due to his high impact as a player. The Big West Indian has played 4 matches of this season so far and scored 252 runs with a strike rate of 161.53 including first century of the season. Gayle announced his return this season with some big knocks. He has the ability to snatch the game away in a minute with big hits.
Virat Kohli (RCB)
AFP PHOTO / PUNIT PARANJPE
He is ‘One Man Army’, he tried everything to help his team to win the game. Kohli has also continued his great form. He is among the top three players in the highest run-scorer of the tournament. Kohli has scored 322 runs in 7 games with strike rate of 140.26.
Ambati Rayudu (CSK)
AFP PHOTO / NOAH SEELAM / GETTYOUT
Rayudu is in best form of his life. He was bought by the CSK who gave him an opportunity to open and he has played well. He has scored 329 runs in 7 innings at strike rate of 156.11 and is currently leading the spot of leading run-scorer.
Kane Williamson (SRH)
AFP PHOTO / NOAH SEELAM / GETTYOUT
The Kiwi batsman Kane Williamson has beautifully carried out the responsibility of the burden of SRH skipper after David Warner dropped following a-year-long ban in the ball-tampering scandal. He has also done well in the batting. Williamson is on the second spot of the leading run-scorer with 322 runs. Kane also managed to help his team to lead winning ways in tough situations like with Mumbai Indians (MI) and Rajasthan Royals (RR) as SRH has managed to win low-scoring games with the help of his bowlers.
Nitish Rana (KKR)
AFP PHOTO / Dibyangshu SARKAR
Young Rana, is emerging as one of the biggest gains of the new-look Kolkata Knight Riders. Riding on Rana’s brilliant batting, KKR has managed to win some crucial games. He is in good form and has found much support from the other end. He has scored 188 runs from 8 matches.
Dwyane Bravo (CSK)
Chennai Super King’s bowler Dwayne Bravo celebrates during the 2018 IPL match. / AFP PHOTO / PUNIT PARANJPE / GETTYOUT
Another West Indian has made it to the list. DJ Bravo is a very useful cricketer who could win matches in the last over in both innings that is what we have seen many times this season but the special one was against the Mumbai Indians in the tournament opener. Bravo has been one of the best all-rounders of the season so far.
Siddarth Kaul (SRH)
PTI Photo by Swapan Mahapatra *** Local Caption ***
Siddarth has been impressive for quite a few season now. He leads the race for the Purple Cap with 11 wickets at an economy rate of 6.88.
Mayank Markande (MI)
AFP PHOTO / PUNIT PARANJPE / GETTYOUT
Playing for the defending champions, Mayank Markande is the new found talent of the season. Markande has left everyone surprised with his amazing performance for Mumbai Indians. The leg-spinner has done well in every match. He made a fantastic debut against the Chennai Super Kings in the opening match as he took three wickets including MS Dhoni and Suresh Raina. He also almost turned the game in MI’s pocket. Till now, Markande has taken 10 wickets at an economy rate of 7.52.
Rashid Khan (SRH)
AFP PHOTO / INDRANIL MUKHERJEE / GETTYOUT
The Afghan special, Rashid Khan has every time lived up to the expectations. He is considered as the best bowler in the world. Till now, Rashid has grabbed 10 wickets at an economy rate of 7.25 in 8 matches. He is tied at the spot with Mumbai Indian’s Mayank Markande.
Trent Boult (DD)
PTI Photo by Ravi Choudhary
We agree that Delhi Daredevils didn’t have a good start but there is an exception with kiwi pacer Trent Boult. Like last year, Boult is impressing with the spell and has already grabbed 11 wickets and is in the hunt for the ‘Purple Cap’. Boult is currently on second posItion in the leading wicket-takers list.