IPL 2021: 5 Highest Run Scorers After The League Stage

The league stage of IPL 2021 has come to an end and the top four teams gear up to play the qualifiers, starting on Sunday. Chennai Super Kings, Delhi Capitals, Royal Challengers Bangalore and Kolkata Knight Riders are the four teams who have made it to the playoffs.

The 14^th edition of IPL 2021 has seen some spectacular performances from the bat. The tournament has been played in two halves. The first leg took place in India, while the second leg shifted to UAE. The first half of the tournament saw some spectacular performances from the bat. Though, it wasn’t the case on the pitches in UAE. The batsmen found it difficult to make an impact in the second leg of the tournament.

Having said that, despite the bowlers finding assistance from the surfaces in UAE, some of the batsmen still continued to impress one and all with their immaculate stroke play and power hitting. On that note, here are the top five run-scorers after the league stage.

IPL 2021: 5 Highest Run Scorers After The League Stage

Glenn Maxwell

Maxwell endured a horrendous season with the bat while playing for Punjab Kings last year. Playing for a new franchise in RCB in IPL 2021, Maxwell showed everyone what he is capable of. The Australian has shut down all the critics with some sensational display of power hitting. RCB’s decision to include Glenn Maxwell in IPL 2021 has proved out to be a masterstroke.

Maxwell’s sensational run with the bat is one of the biggest reasons behind RCB’s success this year. In 14 innings, he has managed to hit 6 half-centuries. On pitches in UAE when batsmen have struggled to get going, Maxwell has hit a string of half-centuries.

He is the fifth-highest run-scorer in IPL 2021 after the league stage. In 14 matches, Glenn Maxwell has managed to score 498 runs at an average of 45.27 and a strike rate of 147.34.

Ruturaj Gaikwad

This year, Chennai Super Kings have unearthed a new star in Ruturaj Gaikwad. We saw glimpses of his brilliance last year but his true prowess has been showcased in IPL 2021. Someone who relies majorly on timing, Ruturaj Gaikwad impressed everyone with his range of shots. He isn’t someone who could gigantic sixes but certainly has what it takes to succeed in the shorter format.

Ruturaj Gaikwad has produced some stellar opening partnerships with Faf du Plessis this year and has given the ideal platform for other batsmen to capitalize on those starts. Gaikwad has managed to score 533 runs in 14 matches this year at an average of 44.42 and a strike rate of 137.02.

Shikhar Dhawan

For the second consecutive year, Shikhar Dhawan has done the bulk of the scoring for Delhi Capitals in IPL. He was sensational in the first half of the tournament. Though, his runs dried up after reaching UAE in the second leg of the tournament.

In the last game against RCB, Shikhar Dhawan returned to form with a handy 43-run knock off 35 balls. His good form with the bat should keep the team in good stead ahead of an important encounter against CSK on Sunday.

Shikhar Dhawan has managed to score 544 runs in 14 matches in IPL 2021, averaging 41.85 and a strike rate of 128.00.

Faf du Plessis

South Africa wouldn’t be too pleased with their decision to leave Faf du Plessis out of the 15-member squad for the 2021 World Cup. Given how he has performed in IPL 2021, there is a chance that they might change their mind and add him to the final list, which is scheduled to be submitted by 10^th October 2021.

Faf du Plessis has been nothing short of outstanding in this year’s IPL. In 14 matches, he has scored 546 runs at an average of 45.50 and a strike rate of 137.53. With the middle order not in the best of form, Faf du Plessis needs to come good in Qualifier 1 against Delhi Capitals on Sunday.

KL Rahul

There is no denying that KL Rahul has been the most consistent performer in IPL over the last three years. He has been Punjab’s highest run-getter for the last three consecutive seasons. He was the highest run-getter in the last season, scoring 670 runs in 14 matches.

At the end of the league stage of IPL 2021, KL Rahul, once again, leads the run-charts with 626 runs in 13 matches at an average of 62.6o. Besides, he scored those runs at an improved strike rate of 138.80. KL Rahul scored those runs while opening for Punjab Kings and keeping that in mind, it will be difficult for India to not have him open the innings in the T20 World Cup.