The 14th edition of the Indian cricket festival, Indian Premier League (IPL), was suspended due to multiple COVID cases found across 4 different franchises. Before IPL 2021 got suspended, fans witnessed many sensational performances by different players in the 29 matches.
The IPL 2021 is all set to start from September in UAE It will be interesting to see how many players continue their stellar performance in the second half of the cash-rich league. Here we look at 5 players who can win the ‘Player of the Tournament Award’ in IPL 2021:
Ravindra Jadeja ( Chennai Super Kings )
The sensational All-rounder Sir Ravindra Jadeja has been one of the most valuable players for CSK in the last 3 seasons of the IPL He contributes to all the aspects of the game. Jadeja performed brilliantly well in IPL 2021 scoring 131 runs in 6 innings at a strike rate of 161.72 and claimed 6 wickets in 7 matches at an average of 26.83 and an economy of 6.70
Jadeja’s most memorable performance came against Royal Challengers Bangalore where he created a record by smashing 37 runs in 20th overs, finished his remarkable innings at the score of 62* from 28-balls. In the same match, he picked three wickets including wickets of in-form batsman Glenn Maxwell and AB de Villiers, also Jadeja was able to get a run out in his name as Dan Christian got out because of Jadeja’s great fielding skills. Jadeja is definitely one of the top contenders for the Player of the Tournament Award.
Harshal Patel ( Royal challengers Bangalore)
Virat Kohli and company bought Harshal Patel from Delhi capitals to Royal challengers Bangalore this decision proved to be a brilliant one for Harshal Patel and RCB. Harshal Patel started his IPL 2021 with a bang as he picked as many as 5 wickets against 5-time champions Mumbai Indians. He demolished MI’s middle and lower-middle order and became the first player to pick 5 wicket haul against defending champions in IPL history.
Harshal became the proper death bowler for RCB with his brilliant change of pace deliveries he picked multiple wickets in Chennai. Although he struggled in Mumbai and Ahmedabad pitches and was smashed by Ravindra Jadeja for 37 runs in the 20th over. However Harshal Patel is the current purple cap holder of IPL 2021 In 7 games, he claimed 17 wickets at an average of 15.11 and an economy rate of 9.17.
If he continues his performance he can surely win the Player of the Tournament award.
Faf du Plessis (Chennai Super Kings)
Proteas batter Faf du Plessis was in great form in the first half of IPL 2021 he provided Chennai super kings good starts alongside young Indian opener Ruturaj Gaikwad which helped CSK win many matches. The 36-year-old former South African skipper didn’t have a great start to the season as he got out on duck in the First match Faf’s rough patch was not seen anywhere.
He came into his real form and smashed 4 consecutive half-centuries including an unbeaten 60-ball 95 against Eoin Morgan’s Kolkata Knight Riders. Overall, Du Plessis is the 3rd highest run-scorer of IPL 2021. He has scored 320 runs in 7 innings at an average of 64 and a strike rate of 145.45. If veteran CSK opener continues his form during the UAE phase, then he will certainly be one of the top contenders for the ‘Player of the Season award.
Avesh Khan (Delhi Capitals)
Avesh Khan was given the responsibility for the pace department in the absence of experienced pacers like Ishant Sharma, Kagiso Rabada, and Anrich Nortje and Avesh didn’t disappoint Delhi capitals. He made the most out of the opportunity he got and performed brilliantly in all the matches.
Avesh Khan impressed everyone with his versatile performance. He was equally effective in both middle and death overs. The pacer from Madhya Pradesh ended his season with the title of second highest wicket-taker just behind Harshal Patel. He picked 14 wickets in 8 matches at an average of 16.50 and an economy rate of 7.60.
After his brilliant IPL performances, Avesh Khan was given a place in the Indian tour of England for the Tests as a net bowler. If he can manage to continue his brilliant performance in the UAE phase of the season, then no one can take away from him the Player of the Tournament award.
Shikhar Dhawan (Delhi Capitals)
The high prolific Indian opener; Shikhar Dhawan lost his place in the Indian T20I team. He is not considered as the first choice opener with the emergence of K.L Rahul. However, his IPL performance has been outstanding. The southpaw has consistently been the highest run-scorer for Delhi capitals in the IPL. His 2020 season was exceptionally good where he scored 500+ runs with a couple of tons.
Dhawan was mainly criticized for his strike rate so he decided to improve in this aspect as well. In the IPL 2021 season not only he provided consistent good starts he even provided explosive starts to the team smashing fours and sixes to all the bowlers in the powerplay and even helped Delhi capitals win a match single-handedly.
Dhawan finished the first half of the tournament with the orange cap on his head, the opener was the leading run-scorer- 380 runs in 8 innings at an average of 54.28 and a strike rate of 134.27. If he continues his India leg form in the UAE leg he can undoubtedly win ‘Player of the Season award.