KL RAHUL (C-KXIP)
M: 14| RUNS: 670| HS: 132*| AVG: 55.83| SR: 129.34 |100s: 1| 50s: 5 | 6s: 23 | 4s: 58
KL Rahul has always been one of the best T20 batsmen in India. He has two centuries in international T20s and was the youngest Indian to achieve that feat as well, against West Indies. He had a good stint with RCB in IPL but didn’t get to bat higher up the order due to the presence of seniors.
However, after Kings XI Punjab bought him, KL Rahul showed immense acumen for runs as an opener. He started with 659 runs in IPL 2018, then made 593 runs in IPL 2019, and was then made captain of the side for IPL 2020.
IPL 2020: "KXIP will be back stronger together", says KL Rahul after a topsy-turvy IPL 13
He lit the tournament on fire with his bat, first scoring the highest IPL score by an Indian batsman- 132* against RCB and continued on, making 670 runs in 14 matches. Rahul dominated from the beginning and though sometimes he slowed down to let other batsmen take charge, his strike rate of 129.34 is not bad.
He hit 5 fifties as well and almost took the KXIP to the playoffs, but nonetheless, it was a brilliant performance worthy of a captain, as Rahul led from the front with the bat and kept the wickets nicely as well.
SHIKHAR DHAWAN (DC)
M: 17| RUNS: 618| HS: 106*| AVG: 44.14| SR: 144.73|100s: 2| 50s: 4| 6s: 12 | 4s: 67
Veteran Indian opener Shikhar Dhawan had moved to Delhi Capitals in 2018, leaving Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) behind in a pay dispute. And since then has made 497 and 521 in IPL 2018 and 2019 respectively. Dhawan has always been one of the most aggressive openers in the most popular league, but could never make a century in the tournament.
IPL 2020: ‘He is a leader within the team’, Marcus Stoinis heaps praise on Shikhar Dhawan
This all changed and Dhawan slammed not one, but two centuries in IPL 2020. On top of that, these centuries came back-to-back, as Dhawan made 101* against Chennai Super Kings and then made 106* against Kings XI Punjab. He also made 78 against SRH in the important second qualifier match, enabling DC to get into their maiden IPL final.
It was immensely satisfying to see one of the most jovial people on the cricket field and off it, get his due with such an amazing performance in the most successful season for his franchise.
SURYAKUMAR YADAV (MI)
M: 16| RUNS: 480| HS: 79*| AVG: 40.00| SR: 145.01 |100s: 0| 50s: 4| 6s: 11 | 4s: 61
Suryakumar Yadav has been one of the best batsmen in domestic cricket. He has always on the cusp of earning that elusive Indian cap, but his wait has been further extended despite a brilliant and probably career-defining performance in IPL 2020.
IPL 2020: Suryakumar Yadav, KKR's "biggest loss" in 13 years, says Gautam Gambhir
Yadav made 480 runs in 16 matches for the champions MI batting at no.3 and hit 4 half-centuries with a highest score of 79*. However, it was not only the number of runs he scored, it was the way in which he scored those runs. His highest score of 79* was a masterpiece of how to construct a chase and carry it through to make sure the team wins.
