Cricket: Indian Premier League's Top Batsmen

The league section of the Indian Premier League has drawn to a close, with the Rajasthan Royals, Kings XI Punjab, Chennai Super Kings and Delhi Daredevils making it to the semifinal stage. But who has impressed so far and what can we expect from the remaining four sides?

In selecting a team of the series, it is only fair that I keep to the rules laid out by the league; that is, at most four overseas players and at least three under-21 Indian players.

Shaun Marsh (King's XI Punjab)

Marsh has come from total obscurity, costing the King's XI a mere $50,000 in wages (virtually nothing when compared to MS Dhoni's astronomical $1.5 million). Marsh has repaid the faith put in him, heading the Orange Cap leading run-scorers table having played three games less.

Averaging 74 and having hit an incredible 115 off 69 balls against the Royals, Marsh is definitely one to look out for in the later stages.

Sanath Jayasuria (Mumbai Indians)

Sanath has disappointed in terms of total runs scored, but he has proven just how destructive he can be at the top of the order. With Sachin Tendulkar at the other end, Jayasuria has exploded into form, smashing opening bowlers all around the ground in several frenetic innings.

A useful bowling option as well on slower pitches, he provides captains with another option if 'plan A' fails. When he fires, he is the most dangerous limited-overs batsman in cricket and for that reason he has to take a berth in the side.

Gautam Gambhir (Delhi Daredevils)

Gauti has been the bedrock of so many of the Daredevils' wins this tournament. With him and Sehwag at the top of the order, Delhi have had the finesse and firepower to take games away from the opposition in the opening six overs.

Gambhir led the run-scoring charts for many weeks. His fine strokeplay and superb timing have fully justified his place in the team.

Suresh Raina (Chennai Super Kings)

When the Super Kings have needed him, Raina has provided the goods. Succeeding where more experienced batsmen have failed, he is a big hitter with the finer cricket shots in his repertoire to pull off when he needs them.

A young talent with something to prove before this tournament, Raina has exploded onto the scene and, along with Sharma, could be the future of Indian cricket.

Rohit Sharma (Deccan Chargers)

Sharma has been one of the few success stories of an extremely poor tournament for Deccan, in which they haven't recorded a single home win. In this terrible run of form, Sharma has lit up the Hyderabad batting lineup, striking 38 fours and 19 maximums in a tournament where he has scored 404 runs.

Sharma has even outshone veteran teammates Adam Gilchrist and Herschelle Gibbs.

That's the batsmen for my team of the tournament so far; check back for the wicket keeper and bowlers.