The 13th edition of the Indian Premier League is underway in the UAE, and we have seen some cracking action thus far. The small grounds at the venue have allowed the big hitters to play their natural game, and we have seen some big sixes over the last ten days.
Though the wickets have kept low and slow on some occasions, the batters have adapted well and have put on a great display. Over the seasons, we have seen how the IPL has been a batsman’s game, and we look at the players who could win the Orange Cap this season.
David Warner (Sunrisers Hyderabad):
The Sunrisers Hyderabad captain won the Orange Cap in IPL 2019 and will be looking forward to carrying his form into this season as well. The Australian opener thrives on slower wickets and against slow bowling. He has tremendous power and can pace his innings to perfection. Warner opens the innings, and if he gets going, he is unstoppable. The SRH skipper had smashed 692 runs last season in just 12 games before he had to depart for England to take part in the World Cup preparatory camp. Though he has been unable to get going thus far in the season, he should be backed to come good and is a top contender for the Orange Cap. With SRH not having the best middle-order, Warner will have to take on the duty of giving his team aggressive starts.
Virat Kohli (Royal Challengers Bangalore):
The RCB skipper takes on challenges with ease and will be expected to lead the charge with the bat for the under-performers. RCB had finished at the bottom last season, and they will be eager to correct their standing. Kohli will have a huge role to play if RCB wants to reverse their fortunes. He thrives in different conditions and situations, and with no fans present at the venue, Kohli will need to motivate himself differently this time around.
Though Kohli has looked out of form this season, he seems fitter than ever and it is only a matter of time that he comes back roaring to form.
KL Rahul (Kings XI Punjab):
Kings XI Punjab skipper KL Rahul ended as the second-highest run-scorer in IPL 2019 and has already started the season with a bang. He has a hundred and a fifty in three games and has the onus of leading from the front. The opener also has the task of keeping wickets in the season, and we expect him to raise his game with the additional responsibility that has been bestowed on him.
The youngster has left a mark in the Indian Team recently, having reinvented his game, and he will be eager to carry his form.
Shubman Gill (Kolkata Knight Riders):
An unconventional selection for the Orange Cap, Shubman Gill has the temperament and the technique to adapt his game according to the low wickets in the UAE. He smashed a fine fifty for KKR against Sunrisers Hyderabad on a wicket that was not the easiest for batting. With Robin Uthappa and Chris Lynn both departing, and Sunil Narine not firing, Gill will have the duty of holding one end, which will give players like Andre Russell, Eoin Morgan and Dinesh Karthik a chance to fire.
Also Read: Virat Kohli will have 400-500 runs by the end of IPL 2020: Sunil Gavaskar
