IPL 2016: Leading Run-Scorers, Highest Wicket-Takers and More T20 Stats
Rohit Sharma of Mumbai Indians surged up the Indian Premier League’s top run-scorers rankings during Thursday’s six-wicket win over Kolkata Knight Riders, scoring an unbeaten 68 to put himself in second place in the race for the Orange Cap.
Virat Kohli of Royal Challengers Bangalore still leads all IPL batsmen in runs scored, with 367, while Gautam Gambhir’s 59-from-45 performance in the losing effort leaves him in third place.
Mitchell McClenaghan added one wicket to his tally, taking his total to 12, good enough for the top spot in the Purple Cap race. Here’s a look at the IPL’s top statistical performers so far:
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| 1 | Virat Kohli | 5 | 5 | 1 | 367 | 100* | 91.75 | 255 |
| 2 | Rohit Sharma | 8 | 8 | 2 | 298 | 84* | 49.66 | 219 |
| 3 | Gautam Gambhir | 6 | 6 | 2 | 296 | 90* | 74.00 | 237 |
| 4 | David Warner | 6 | 6 | 2 | 294 | 90* | 73.50 | 179 |
| 5 | AB de Villiers | 5 | 5 | 0 | 269 | 83 | 53.80 | 158 |
| 6 | Ambati Rayudu | 8 | 7 | 0 | 249 | 65 | 35.57 | 198 |
| 7 | Ajinkya Rahane | 6 | 6 | 1 | 223 | 67 | 44.60 | 173 |
| 8 | Francois du Plessis | 6 | 6 | 0 | 206 | 69 | 34.33 | 162 |
| 9 | Quinton de Kock | 5 | 5 | 1 | 198 | 108 | 49.50 | 121 |
| 10 | Aaron Finch | 5 | 4 | 1 | 191 | 74 | 63.66 | 141 |
| 1 | Mitchell McClenaghan | 8 | 8 | 30.3 | 248 | 12 | 4/21 | 20.66 |
| 2 | Bhuvneshwar Kumar | 6 | 6 | 23.0 | 184 | 9 | 4/29 | 20.44 |
| 3 | Jasprit Bumrah | 8 | 8 | 30.0 | 246 | 8 | 3/26 | 30.75 |
| 4 | Mustafizur Rahman | 6 | 6 | 22.0 | 136 | 7 | 2/9 | 19.42 |
| 5 | Amit Mishra | 5 | 5 | 15.0 | 99 | 7 | 4/11 | 14.14 |
| 6 | Mohit Sharma | 6 | 6 | 18.5 | 144 | 7 | 3/23 | 20.57 |
| 7 | Tim Southee | 7 | 7 | 27.0 | 210 | 7 | 3/24 | 30.00 |
| 8 | Murugan Ashwin | 6 | 6 | 19.0 | 150 | 7 | 3/36 | 21.42 |
| 9 | Shane Watson | 5 | 5 | 19.3 | 157 | 7 | 2/25 | 22.42 |
| 10 | Dwayne Bravo | 6 | 6 | 23.0 | 213 | 7 | 4/22 | 30.42 |
All stats are courtesy of the IPL’s official website.
Kieron Pollard stole the show late for Mumbai, scoring 51 from just 17 deliveries to help guide the team to a win over Kolkata, but Sharma’s unbeaten 68 made the difference on Thursday.
The 28-year-old put together a patient knock, finishing with 10 boundaries and handing Pollard the opportunity to shine.
As shared by CricTracker’s Khurram Siddiquee, the opener has been dependable, provided his team gets to chase:
"The trend continues for Rohit Sharma this IPL:
— Khurram Siddiquee (@KS_Crictracker) April 28, 2016"
Batting first: 7, 7, 5, 0
While chasing: 84*, 62, 65, & today 68*. #MIvKKR
Ambati Rayudu added 32 from 20, but it wasn’t until Pollard stepped in and tore Kolkata’s bowlers to pieces when the win felt safe. The West Indies star hit six sixes, including three in the 17th over to chase down the target of 175.
The win takes Mumbai up to third place in the standings and keeps their play-off dreams alive, although they’ve already featured in eight matches, which is at least two more than any other IPL side.
Sharma admitted the team had to win this match, and praised Pollard’s form, per ESPNcricinfo: “It was a good game and we wanted this win badly. We stuck to our plans, though we dropped a lot of catches. We batted brilliantly. Pollard's form was crucial, and he is peaking at the right time.”
The bowlers also had a hand in the win, as McClenaghan and his team-mates overcame a rough start to limit the target to 175. Kolkata had scored 121 runs by the time Gambhir was caught in the 14th over, and with Andre Russell and Yusuf Pathan still to bat, a late barrage was expected.
Instead, Mumbai limited the boundaries in the final overs and kept Kolkata’s run rate to 8.70 runs per over. All but one of their bowlers finished with an economy rate in the single digits, and Tim Southee grabbed two wickets.
Jasprit Bumrah didn’t take any wickets and still sits third in the Purple Cap race, having taken four less than team-mate McClenaghan. Sunil Narine finished with solid figures of two for 22 for Kolkata, but after missing a number of matches during the early stages of the IPL season, he’s unlikely to threaten McClenaghan’s lead anytime soon.
Kolkata don’t have a single player among the top 10 wicket-takers, but Umesh Yadav, John Hastings and Brad Hogg all sit in the top 10 of best averages, with Narine following closely behind. Knight Riders remain among the favourites to win this year’s IPL title, although their inability to win matches when batting first remains a concern.
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