IPL 2015: Highest Run-Scorers, Top Bowling Figures, Strike Rates and More
There were some stunning batting displays on show during Day 4 of the 2015 Indian Premier League, with Brendon McCullum and Chris Gayle starring for their respective sides.
The former scored an unbeaten 100 in the Chennai Super Kings’ emphatic 45-run win over Sunrisers Hyderabad.
Later in the day, the West Indies star smashed a remarkable 96 to help Bangalore Royal Challengers to a thrilling three-wicket victory against reigning champions Kolkata Knight Riders.
Here’s a look at how various individual classifications were affected on a day of thunderous scoring in the IPL.
Top 10 Run-Scorers
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| Player | Team | Runs |
| Gautam Gambhir | Kolkata | 115 |
| Brendon McCullum | Chennai | 104 |
| Rohit Sharma | Mumbai | 98 |
| Chris Gayle | Bangalore | 96 |
| MS Dhoni | Chennai | 83 |
| Albie Morkel | Delhi | 73 |
| Manish Pandey | Kolkata | 63 |
| Dwayne Smith | Chennai | 61 |
| Suryakumar Yadav | Kolkata | 57 |
| Corey Anderson | Mumbai | 55 |
All statistics via ESPNcricinfo.
Top 10 Averages
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| Player | Team | Average |
| Brendon McCullum | Chennai | 104.00 |
| Chris Gayle | Bangalore | 96.00 |
| Gautam Gambhir | Kolkata | 57.50 |
| Suryakumar Yadav | Kolkata | 57.00 |
| David Warner | Hyderabad | 53.00 |
| James Faulkner | Rajasthan | 46.00 |
| MS Dhoni | Chennai | 41.50 |
| Murali Vijay | Kings XI | 37.00 |
| Steve Smith | Rajasthan | 33.00 |
| Faf du Plessis | Chennai | 32.00 |
All statistics via ESPNcricinfo.
Top 10 Strike Rates
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| Player | Team | Runs | SR |
| Abu Nechim | Bangalore | 5 | 250.00 |
| Andre Russell | Kolkata | 41 | 241.17 |
| Harshal Patel | Bangalore | 9 | 225.00 |
| AB de Villiers | Bangalore | 28 | 215.38 |
| Deepak Hooda | Rajasthan | 30 | 200.00 |
| Mandeep Singh | Bangalore | 6 | 200.00 |
| Mohit Sharma | Chennai | 2 | 200.00 |
| Suryakumar Yadav | Kolkata | 57 | 196.55 |
| Brendon McCullum | Chennai | 104 | 179.32 |
| Wriddhiman Saha | Kings XI | 7 | 175.00 |
All statistics via ESPNcricinfo.
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Top 10 Wicket-Takers
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Player | Team | Wickets |
| Dwayne Bravo | Chennai | 4 |
| Anureet Singh | Kings XI | 3 |
| Ashish Nehra | Chennai | 3 |
| James Faulkner | Rajasthan | 3 |
| Nathan Coulter-Nile | Delhi | 3 |
| Morne Morkel | Kolkata | 3 |
| Mohit Sharma | Chennai | 3 |
| Mitchell Johnson | Kings XI | 2 |
| Tim Southee | Rajasthan | 2 |
| Yusuf Pathan | Kolkata | 2 |
All statistics via ESPNcricinfo.
Top 10 Bowling Figures
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| Player | Team | Runs | Wickets |
| Anureet Singh | Kings XI | 23 | 3 |
| Ashish Nehra | Chennai | 25 | 3 |
| James Faulkner | Rajasthan | 26 | 3 |
| Nathan Coulter-Nile | Delhi | 30 | 3 |
| Morne Morkel | Kolkata | 18 | 2 |
| Dwayne Bravo | Chennai | 25 | 2 |
| Mitchell Johnson | Kings XI | 34 | 2 |
| Dwayne Bravo | Chennai | 36 | 2 |
| Tim Southee | Rajasthan | 36 | 2 |
| Mohit Sharma | Chennai | 36 | 2 |
All statistics via ESPNcricinfo.
Top 10 Economy Rates
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Player | Team | Runs | Wickets | Econ |
| Sandeep Sharma | Kings XI | 19 | 1 | 4.75 |
| Pravin Tambe | Rajasthan | 15 | 0 | 5.00 |
| Amit Mishra | Delhi | 21 | 1 | 5.25 |
| Chris Morris | Rajasthan | 21 | 0 | 5.25 |
| Anureet Singh | Kings XI | 23 | 3 | 5.75 |
| Ravichandran Ashwin | Chennai | 47 | 2 | 5.87 |
| Vinay Kumar | Mumbai | 21 | 0 | 6.00 |
| Dominic Joseph | Delhi | 18 | 1 | 6.00 |
| James Faulkner | Rajasthan | 26 | 3 | 6.50 |
| Morne Morkel | Kolkata | 18 | 2 | 6.62 |
All statistics via ESPNcricinfo.
Standout Performers
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Magical Brendon McCullum
After being dismissed second ball in the Super Kings’ opening encounter, Brendon McCullum would have been intent on making amends in this clash with the Sunrisers. And the New Zealand skipper did exactly that, as he struck a stunning, unbeaten century.
In his 56 balls at the crease, McCullum thrilled, smashing seven fours and nine sixes to the great delight of the crowd. It was crucial to the Chennai outfit making a staggering 209 for four from their 20 overs.
As noted by former India star Aakash Chopra, the exploits of the firebrand Black Cap helped other players go about their work with freedom:
"McCullum gets a hundred off 56 balls...outstanding. But what makes #CSK different is that the remaining 64 balls produced 109 too. Brilliant
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) April 11, 2015"
McCullum is such a valuable player in this format, and if he continues to carry his bat from the start of the innings up until the final ball, Chennai will continue to win matches. The 33-year-old set a positive tone from the outset, and once he gets into a groove, he boasts all the requisite attributes to take a game away from the opposition.
He is simply one of the best 20-over players ever, as we can see here, courtesy of Mohandas Menon:
"Most T20 100s Chris Gayle 13 Brendon McCullum 6 David Warner 5 Luke Wright 4 #CSKvsSRH #IPL
— Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman) April 11, 2015"
The World Cup seems to have galvanised McCullum, and he’s one of a clutch of leaders in this Chennai team. As they go in search of another IPL title, his influence will be absolutely critical, and while the Super Kings are home to a clutch of remarkable batting talents, the New Zealander is the most important member.
Gayle Force Finishes for Bangalore
With the majority of the Bangalore batsmen toiling while chasing down Kolkata’s target, Chris Gayle was a picture of serenity throughout his round. Then, with his team needing to up the ante in the latter stages of the innings, the Caribbean star turned on the style.
His 96 hauled the Royal Challengers off their haunches and to within touching distance of victory. Winning this match in such thrilling circumstances will not only be a boost to the player himself; it will boost the whole Bangalore team as they embark on their IPL charge.
As noted by Freddie Wilde of ESPNcricinfo, it was a knock of incredible maturity from the 35-year-old star:
"Chris Gayle was stupendous though. That was an innings of uncharacteristic responsibility. Well played big man! #IPL #KKRvRCB #KKR #RCB
— Freddie Wilde (@fwildecricket) April 11, 2015"
Gayle had to dig in for long spells of this innings. Players like Virat Kohli, AB de Villiers and Darren Sammy all came and went after starts. With quality batting partners becoming increasingly scarce, the opener decided to step things up a gear.
As noted by Alt Cricket, Gayle accelerated superbly throughout his innings:
"Chris Gayle STATBYTE: First 28 balls: 34 runs Last 28 balls: 62 runs
— Alt Cricket (@AltCricket) April 11, 2015"
There is great responsibility for the West Indies star in this Bangalore side. While there are quality players in the team below him, the style in which he begins the innings is going to be so vital to their chances. Plus, if he can play like this, there are few batsmen as capable of winning games almost single-handedly for their respective teams.
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