IPL 2021: 5 Players to Watch for the Remainder of the Tournament

Bet Central puts focus on the second half of the IPL 2021. Our scribe Ongama Gcwabe picks FIVE PLAYERS TO WATCH for the rest of the tournament.

The Indian Premier League resumed the second half of the tournament in the UAE on Sunday with yet another thriller of a match that saw the defending champions, Mumbai Indians, lose against Chennai Super Kings.

Millions of fans all around the world will be drawn to their screens during the entire duration of the IPL.

Bet Central gives you the FIVE PLAYERS TO WATCH for the remainder of the tournament:

AB de Villiers

The best T20 batsman in the world in my opinion will take to the field for RCB with everything to win, more especially now that RCB managed a 3rd place on the log before the tournament was delayed. So close to the title, the South African will be willing to do all that it takes to get his team over the line.

Striking at over 150, ABD has amassed over 9000 T20 runs to date. If RCB is to win the tournament, Mr 360 will play a vital role in that journey.

Virat Kohli

RCB skipper led his troops to 3rd place on the log before the tournament was halted by a COVID outbreak earlier in the year.

High in confidence after closing off an international summer with a Test series win in England, and also playing his last season as captain, Kohli will have a point to prove and will be hungry to win the trophy as a gift to the RCB fans who’ve supported him through thick and thin.

The skipper sits with glittering stats in T20 cricket which feature almost 10 000 runs at a strike rate of 134.

Andre Russell

The big hitter and six-machine has become an asset and an icon in world T20 cricket with his unique style of play over the last few seasons.

Known for his big match temperament, Russell will undoubtedly be a key figure once again this season for KKR.

With over 6000 runs at a strike rate of almost 170 and 300 wickets in T20 cricket,  Russell is on a level of his own.

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Shakib Al Hassan

Coming off a series sweep over Australia while representing his country, Bangladesh, and a series win over New Zealand, Shakib Al Hassan is one of the world’s top all-rounders across all formats.

Playing alongside fellow teammate and all-rounder, Andre Russell, the duo will play a critical role for KKR this season.

Having managed over 5000 runs and over 300 wickets in T20 cricket, Al Hassan and Russell bring to their team what a few all-rounders can. What they have achieved in their careers so far is unheard of.

These two will be a critical component of their team’s success.

Ruturaj Gaikwad

Batting at the top of the order, Gaikwad’s classy innings in the match against the MI led his side to a win that saw the CSK go on top of the standings.

Fairly new to the limelight, Gaikwad can undoubtedly sport the orange cap this season with his natural talent and big match temperament.

His 284 runs in this year’s editions mean that he is sitting fourth on the top run-scorers this season . His eight innings so far include three half-centuries at a strike rate of 134.

Only 25 matches remain in the round-robin stages of the competition.