IPL Stars: Jacques Henry Kallis

Born October 16, 1975, Pinelands, Cape Town, Cape Province

Current age 34 years

Major teams South Africa, Africa XI, Cape Cobras, Glamorgan, ICC World XI, Middlesex, Royal Challengers Bangalore, Warriors, Western Province

Batting style Right-hand bat

Bowling style Right-arm fast-medium

Jacques Kallis is one of the world best all- rounders, currently ranked number one according to the ICC Reliance Rankings.

Now representing South Africa for over ten years, he is seen as a batsman who has perfection in almost every stroke.

Many commentators speak about his "text-book" style of play, he is never put under pressure to score at a fast rate.

In recent years Kallis has tried to perfect his game in the shorter version, so as to be well equipped for twenty20 matches.

After been signed up by the Royal Challenger Bangalore he has moved up the order, opening the batting with remarkable results.

Kallis who took time finding his feet in IPL 1, seem to have had home advantage in IPL2, when the million dollar competition was moved to South Africa due to security concerns in India.

There Kallis ended the second season as the top scorer for the Challenger, now after 26 matches in IPL he has a tally of 560 runs with an average of 23.33 and striker rate just above 108.

His experience both as a batsman and bowler makes he a regular starter. Jakes will look forward to improving his strike rate in this season as the competition gets tougher with more and more younger players coming into the league.

In terms of his settling down at the team, Kallis is lucky to have his close friend Mark Boucher, and fellow South Africans: Dale Styen, Roelof van der Merwe and Dillion du Preez in the Squad.

Royal Challengers is also coached by South Africa, Ray Jennings.