IPL 2016: Sunil Gavaskar picks his top three batsmen and top three bowlers

The Indian Premier League is in its fifth week and there have been stand out performances from individual players who have shone bright and have played a massive factor in the dominating display of their teams.

Such is the nature of the twenty20, that any inspired performances from players can tilt the match in the favour of their teams. Sunil Gavaskar has listed out his top three bowlers and batsmen from the first month of the tournament. He picked his top 3 batsmen and bowlers for IPLT20.com.

Virat Kohli has lit up the tournament and his sterling display with the bat has cemented him as the best batsman in this format. In 8 matches so far, Kohli has amassed 541 runs including two centuries. His second century came against Rising Pune Supergiants during a chase and in a winning cause. This year has been phenomenal for Kohli, and considering his hunger for runs making, this will not stop.

“He has taken upon himself to finish the job and leave it for others, and without a doubt he is the best batsman so far”, Gavaskar said.

David Warner, similarly is the captain of the side and also is an opener and has been carrying the batting almost single-handedly. His batting has had a significant impact on his captaincy. He has almost guided an out of form Shikhar Dhawan and has led him into finding form and Dhawan has responded now with innings of substance.

“Credit definitely goes to Warner who has led from the front, be it with the bat or in the field during his field placements and fielding”, Gavaskar added.

In 9 matches, the Australian has scored 458 runs, and has been like a fulcrum at the top of the order.

For the number 3 position, Gavaskar said there was a toss up between Rohit Sharma, Ajinkya Rahane and Gautam Gambhir. All the three are openers and have scored runs on a consistent basis for their teams. Rohit has been brilliant during run chases and has scored a majority of runs during the chase. Gambhir has been an accumulator of runs at the top of the order and has been a constant performer for his team. Similarly, Ajinkya Rahane has been one lone performer for Rising Pune Supergiants, scoring as many as 6 half-centuries. 

Picking his top three bowlers, Gavaskar picked Andre Russell as the top bowler. The Jamaican all-rounder has been a revelation with the ball and he has picked up 14 wickets in 10 matches.

“Russell can change the match in one over, be it with the bat or the ball. He is strong and uses his pace and also his slower balls to good effect,” Gavaskar added.

Gavaskar then picked Mitchell McClenaghan as the number 2 in his list and praised him for being a complete bowler.

“The way he uses the crease and uses the angle to great effect, be it from over the wicket or around the wicket. The batsmen are finding it difficult to get under the ball, because of the angle which he is using”, Gavaskar observed.

Gavaskar, however, reserved lavish praises for Mustafizur Rahman, and said that he has impressed the most with his variations and maturity.

“He can easily clock 145 kmph, but his specialty has been the slower balls, and the best part is that he does not change his run up or bowling action, and that makes it very difficult for the batsmen to pick him up.”