IPL 2016: Virat Kohli, Lendl Simmons Among Top 5 Batsmen to Watch Out For
Fresh from their T20 World Cup exploits, Virat Kohli and Lendl Simmons will be gunning for glory in IPL 2016.
Highlights
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Kevin Pietersen will play for Rising Pune Supergiants in 2016 IPL.
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Virat Kohli was the Player of the tournament during recent World T20.
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Lendl Simmons played a match-winning knock in semi-final against India.
The T20 World Cup was indeed a good one for the batsmen. From Virat Kohli's magnificent knocks to Carlos Brathwaite's match-winning sixes against South Africa and England, batsmen did light up the stage on many occasions. IPL could also turn out to be a good tournament for batsmen. Here is a look at the top 5 batsmen who can make an impact in IPL 2016. (Sunrisers Hyderabad: Yuvraj Singh, Ashish Nehra Bolster Team)
© BCCI
1. Virat Kohli (Royal Challengers Bangalore)
The Royal Challengers Bangalore skipper is probably in the form of his life. Watching Kohli wield the willow is a pleasant sight across all formats. His consistency is unmatchable and the way he leads run-chases is a treat to watch. In the recently concluded T20 World Cup, Kohli scored 273 runs at an awe-inspiring average of 136.50 with an impressive strike-rate of 146.77. The thing to be noticed here is that he hit only five sixes in the tournament and still managed to score at a high rate. Going into the tournament, Kohli's form will surely be crucial to RCB's chances and if he gets going, the opposition will surely have a tough time.
2. Kevin Pietersen (Rising Pune Supergiants)
The flamboyant Kevin Pietersen has become a full-time T20 gun-for-hire ever since the trust issues with Andrew Strauss led to the latter declaring that he is not in his future plans for the England cricket team. Since this incident (it occurred in May 2015), KP has performed extremely well across all domestic tournaments, the Caribbean Premier League, the Australian Big Bash and the Pakistan Super League. He will be central to Rising Pune Supergiants' maiden campaign in IPL.
Since the PSL was held in February, KP is not short on match practice and will hope to continue his good form for his new team Pune. With no captaincy burden this time, charismatic KP will play freely and could open alongside Ajinkya Rahane or play at number three.
© BCCI
3. Shreyas Iyer (Delhi Daredevils)
From being the lone star of Delhi Daredevils last season to becoming the highest run-getter in Ranji Trophy 2015-16, Shreyas Iyer is undoubtedly the player to watch out for in this year's IPL. Last year, Iyer scored 439 runs (four fifties) and was eighth on the list of IPL top scorers. The best thing about Iyer is that he is not shy of playing strokes, irrespective of the format. His attacking game does not allow the bowlers to settle down and that has been the most important reason behind his success in last couple of seasons. Delhi will look for another great season from Iyer.
© BCCI
4. Sarfaraz Khan (Royal Challengers Bangalore)
From creating an impression with his calculative stroke-play for Royal Challengers Bangalore in IPL 8 to becoming India's highest run-getter in the 2016 U-19 World Cup, it would be fair to say that 18-year old Sarfaraz Khan could well find himself in the international setup soon. While playing just his second IPL game, Sarfaraz scored a magnificent 45 off just 21 balls against the now suspended Rajasthan Royals. The best part of that innings was he wasn't just slogging, he played proper cricketing shots. In the Under-19 World Cup too, Sarfaraz batted at number four held India's batting together throughout the tournament. In IPL 8, Sarfaraz scored 111 runs with a strike rate of 156.33 and a top score of 45 not out.
5. Lendl Simmons (Mumbai Indians)
The star of Mumbai Indians' second IPL win last year could well hold the key again for them at the top of the order. In a team full of stars, Simmons flamboyance and new-found popularity (after he blew India away in the T20 World Cup semis) will be crucial to Mumbai's campaign.
This time too, Simmons' role will be to give his team a solid start and provide a perfect launching pad for the likes of Rohit Sharma, Corey Anderson and Kieron Pollard to explode towards the end of the innings. Simmons was the third highest scorer with 540 runs from 13 innings. He scored six fifties with a strike rate of 122.44.