IPL 2016: Top Run-Scorers, T20 Averages, Bowling Figures and More
A four-wicket haul for Kolkata Knight Riders’ Andre Russell put him at the summit of the wicket-taking standings in the 2016 Indian Premier League, helping his side to a narrow win over Kings XI Punjab on Wednesday.
The West Indies international took four for 20 as he sought to sap momentum from the opposition's chase, giving him 13 wickets for the tournament alongside Mumbai Indians’ Mitchell McClenaghan. Kolkata were defending 164 for three after fine knocks from Gautam Gambhir and Robin Uthappa, who move up in the top run-scorer stakes, too.
Here’s a look at the updated races for the Orange Cap and Purple Cap after the Knight Riders’ seven-run win on Wednesday and a closer examination of some of the day’s star performers:
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| 1 | Virat Kohli | 7 | 7 | 1 | 433 | 100* | 72.16 | 316 |
| 2 | Gautam Gambhir | 9 | 9 | 2 | 393 | 90* | 56.14 | 319 |
| 3 | David Warner | 7 | 7 | 2 | 386 | 92 | 77.20 | 229 |
| 4 | Rohit Sharma | 9 | 9 | 3 | 383 | 85* | 63.83 | 279 |
| 5 | AB de Villiers | 7 | 7 | 0 | 320 | 83 | 45.71 | 196 |
| 6 | Robin Uthappa | 9 | 9 | 0 | 313 | 72 | 34.77 | 231 |
| 7 | Ajinkya Rahane | 8 | 8 | 1 | 280 | 67 | 40.00 | 223 |
| 8 | Ambati Rayudu | 9 | 8 | 0 | 271 | 65 | 33.87 | 217 |
| 9 | Steve Smith | 8 | 7 | 1 | 270 | 101 | 45.00 | 176 |
| 10 | Suresh Raina | 9 | 9 | 0 | 252 | 75 | 28.00 | 198 |
| 1 | Andre Russell | 9 | 9 | 29.0 | 227 | 13 | 4/20 | 17.46 |
| 2 | Mitchell McClenaghan | 9 | 9 | 34.3 | 275 | 13 | 4/21 | 21.15 |
| 3 | Jasprit Bumrah | 9 | 9 | 34.0 | 275 | 11 | 3/26 | 25.00 |
| 4 | Mohit Sharma | 8 | 8 | 26.5 | 215 | 10 | 3/23 | 21.50 |
| 5 | Bhuvneshwar Kumar | 7 | 7 | 27.0 | 220 | 10 | 4/29 | 22.00 |
| 6 | Umesh Yadav | 8 | 8 | 24.0 | 216 | 10 | 3/28 | 21.60 |
| 7 | Dwayne Bravo | 8 | 8 | 31.0 | 286 | 10 | 4/22 | 28.60 |
| 8 | Amit Mishra | 7 | 7 | 22.0 | 154 | 9 | 4/11 | 17.11 |
| 9 | Shane Watson | 7 | 7 | 26.3 | 228 | 9 | 2/25 | 25.33 |
| 10 | Mustafizur Rahman | 7 | 7 | 26.0 | 170 | 8 | 2/9 | 21.25 |
For more statistics and full listings visit IPLT20.com.
All-Rounder Russell Shows His Worth
Typically associated with coming in with the bat lower down the order and pouring quick runs onto a total, Russell showed the other side of his game on Wednesday.
Kolkata captain Gambhir evidently has total faith in his man, as he entrusted him at the very beginning and very end of the innings with the ball in hand.
He had Marcus Stoinis out in the first over and Manan Vohra out in the third—both for ducks—while late on he dislodged the dangerous David Miller. Then, with the game in the balance in the last over, he ran out Axar Patel before pinning Swapnil Singh lbw.
Russell, naturally, was named as the man of the match, and as noted by Bharath Seervi, that’s not uncommon for the West Indies star:
In this format, there is no player in world cricket more devastating. As aforementioned, not only is he handy with the ball, but he’s a superb fielder and a batsman who can take matches away from teams. He’s hammered 149 runs at a strike rate of 156.84 already in this tournament.
Russell is the driving force behind this team, and after their win over Kings XI, Kolkata sit pretty at the summit of the table.
Cricket journalist Peter Miller had high praise for their star man after the team picked up these two points:
Of course, with mercurial players like Russell in the ranks, steady operators are required, too. And in Uthappa and Gambhir, there’s no doubt Kolkata have this balance right.
Once again, these two set a solid foundation with a brilliant opening partnership. They put on 101 runs for the first wicket, a tremendous platform for the likes of Yusuf Pathan and Russell to come in late on and swing freely.
The IPL Sports Twitter feed noted how effective their understanding is at the top of the order:
They bring out the best in one another, too. A steady 54 from captain Gambhir pushes him into second in the race for the Orange Cap with 393 runs, although he’s 40 runs back on the sublime Virat Kohli, who has played two matches fewer.
Uthappa, who assumed the role of aggressor with a 49-ball 70, is currently sixth in the standings on 313 runs. The wicket-keeper, who tends to improve as the competition rolls on, will only be looking up between now and the end of the season.
Royal Challengers Bangalore skipper Kohli is going to be tough to catch in the race for the top run-scorer gong, though.
Cricket statistician Mohandas Menon summed up just how consistent he’s been in this format lately:
While bottom side Kings XI continue to look fragmented in their batting and easily nullified in their bowling, the diversity of play in this Knight Riders team is unrivalled in the IPL.
And when you toss into the mix a wild card like Russell—a man who has proved so many times he can tip precariously poised contests the way of his team—they could well be the favourites for glory this term.
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