Buttler tons to Kohli ducks: hits and misses of the IPL so far

The 15th edition of the Indian Premier League has surpassed the midway mark after a month of excessive-octane motion within the global’s richest 20-20 cricket match.

– Smiling murderer –

Jos Buttler has smiled his way to the top of this season’s batting chart with 3 sparkling centuries for Rajasthan Royals.

The softly-spoken Englishman has been a bowler’s nightmare with 491 runs in seven suits to take Royals into the top 4 of the ten-group desk.

His latest 65-ball knock of 116 against Delhi Capitals places him in danger of chasing Virat Kohli’s 2016 file of 973 runs in a season.

“Jos has a cheat code for batting,” England fast bowler Jofra Archer tweeted.

The former India captain and national superstar Kohli have been struggling with the worst slump of his stellar career after two successive golden ducks for Royal Challengers Bangalore.

Kohli has managed just 119 runs from eight matches, following his lacklustre recent form for his country with the prolific run-scorer unable to manage an international century for more than two years.

Disbelief after dismissal, a wry smile, and a dejected walk back to the pavilion have been familiar sights for “King Kohli” this IPL season.

Batting great Sunil Gavaskar said it is “anxiety” to get going that is playing on the star batsman’s mind.

Mumbai Indians and defending champions Chennai Super Kings have won nine of the 14 IPL titles since the league was launched.

But the powerhouse teams are languishing at the bottom of the standings with Mumbai winless and Chennai managing just two victories from eight.

Mumbai skipper Rohit Sharma, who has made just 153 runs, blamed his batsmen, including himself, after the latest loss to Lucknow Super Giants when failing to chase down 168.

Fans have backed a turnaround and Rohit has acknowledged their “faith and undying loyalty to this team so far”.

IPL debutants Gujarat Titans have been the team to beat this year and sit on top of the table with six wins out of seven matches.

All-rounder Hardik Pandya has led from the front with 295 runs and four wickets off his pace bowling.

Afghanistan spin wizard Rashid Khan has also shone with the ball, and a match-winning batting blitz, while South African David Miller made an unbeaten 94 to stun Chennai.

Gujarat has also shocked two-time champions Kolkata Knight Riders and former India opener Wasim Jaffer called them a “surprise package”.

Delhi Capitals skipper Rishabh Pant was almost referred to as his batsmen from the field to protest against an umpire’s call against Rajasthan Royals throughout a sick-tempered suit last week.

The drama occurred on the 0.33 ball of the final over when Obed McCoy bowled a high full toss that Delhi believed to have been called a no-ball for being above the waist.

Pant and assistant educate Pravin Amre, who walked onto the pitch, had been both fined 100 percent in their in shape price. Are become also suspended for one match.

Umpiring controversies aren’t new to IPL. Mahendra Singh Dhoni walked onto the field in 2019 to protest at a no-ball call and turned into docked 50 percent of his healthy rate.