IPL 6: Player of the Week nominees – Week 6

Note: All stats and facts updated up to 12th May, 2013.

We are 61 matches into the IPL and this season has been full of the typical drama and action. Last week was no different as there were some breathtaking performances from the likes of David Miller who annihilated the RCB attack, Shane Watson who with his all-round performances took Rajasthan Royals on the verge of qualification of play-offs and many more.

Here’s a look at the nominees for the Player of the week. Criteria for selection are the performances from Match no.51 (6th May) to Match no.61 (12th May).

David Miller (Kings XI Punjab)

David Miller became the fourth centurion of this edition of the IPL, as he single-handedly won Kings XI Punjab the match from an impossible position. He smashed a hundred off just 38 deliveries.

When he came in to bat in the 10th over, the Kings XI were reeling at 64/4, but Miller was in the zone from the ball one, as he smashed 7 sixes and 8 fours during his 38 ball stay.

Miller’s father would have been a proud man, if he was watching in Durban. He gave his son an important advice when he was growing up and it seems his son followed it to the letter. “If it’s in the V, it’s in the tree and if it’s in the arc, it’s out of the park,” was the advice from Miller Sr. to his son.

Shane Watson (Rajasthan Royals)

Mr. Consistent for Rajasthan Royals proved his worth again with stellar performances over the past week, none better than a knock of 70 runs yesterday against two time champions, Chennai Super Kings, which puts the Royals on the verge of qualification. His knock came at a time when the Royals’ chase were stuttering on a bowler friendly pitch.

At the mid-innings break, Michael Hussey thought that the target of 141-run put up by Chennai Super Kings was competitive because the pitch was aiding seam bowling, but he was wary of the “Watson factor”. It seems Hussey’s worst nightmare came true last night.

Suresh Raina (Chennai Super Kings)

Suresh Raina was at his best at RGI stadium, Hyderabad, as he smashed 99 runs off 52 balls against the formidable bowling of the Sunrisers. The added importance of this innings was that it came against arguably the best bowling attack in the league. He took on Amit Mishra, the fulcrum of the Sunrisers’ attack, but it was Ishant Sharma who Raina took to cleaners as he was hit for 66 runs in his 4 overs, breaking the record for conceding most runs in IPL.

Virat Kohli (Royal Challengers Bangalore)

Virat Kohli played the captain’s innings of 99 runs against Delhi Daredevils to keep his team in hunt for the play-offs. He was run out agonizingly close to his hundred. But that knock was enough to give RCB a victory. During his stay at the wicket, he collected 10 fours and 4 sixes. He was brutal toward the end of the innings, smashing the Delhi bowlers to all parts of the ground.

Jaydev Unadkat (Royal Challengers Bangalore)

If Virat kohli’s innings was what gave RCB the total to defend then it was Jaydev Unadkat who finished off Delhi’s hopes of winning the match with a five-wicket haul. His contribution in that tense win was as good as Kohli’s if not better as the Daredevils were in the chase throughout the second innings. His five wickets came at the cost of just 25 runs made him the sole representative for the bowlers in this list over the past week.

Now it’s up to you to decide who has been the Player of the Week by casting your vote here: