IPL 2021: Rating Top 10 Explosive Batsmen In The Tournament

The IPL 2021 saw 29 games played out before the tournament was suspended in the first week of May following the Covid-19 outbreak in four franchises. The season will now resume in the UAE, where the entire IPL 2020 was held, in September-October.

In the tournament so far, we have seen some extraordinary piece of batting; from the dynamic opening duo of Prithvi Shaw and Shikhar Dhawan and the maiden IPL ton for Jos Buttler to Kieron Pollard’s stunning knock, which helped Mumbai Indians chase down 219 on the last ball, and the thrilling super-over between Delhi Capitals and Sunrisers Hyderabad – the IPL 2021 has lived up to its billing at the half-way stage. Here we look at the best power-hitters of the tournament.

IPL 2021: Rating Top 10 Explosive Batsmen In The Tournament

10. Glenn Maxwell – 7/10

Glenn Maxwell is one of the explosive middle-order batsmen. Hence, the RCB have used him at number 4 instead of pushing him down the order for late finishes. In 7 matches of IPL 2021, the Australian averages 37.17 scoring at 144.81, and is a crucial fit in RCB’s puzzle.

9. Ravindra Jadeja – 7/10

Ravindra Jadeja has markedly evolved as a batsman. His middling strike rates till 2019 IPL has rocketed higher to 171.85 last season and 161.73 in IPL 2021. This year, in the IPL, the left-hander was dismissed just once in 7 matches. He whacked Harshal Patel, the leading wicket-taker of the season, for 37 runs – 1 run was from a no-ball – in the final over. He has now become an indispensable member of the national side as well.

8. Jonny Bairstow – 7.5/10

Jonny Bairstow’s average and the scoring rate has significantly levelled up this season from last season. The SRH opener is always in an attacking zone, be it against the new ball or with field restrictions released in the middle-overs.

Bairstow has recorded 248 runs so far at a brilliant strike rate of 141.71, with a couple of fifties to his name.

7. Jos Buttler – 8/10

One of the 360-degree batsmen, Jos Buttler hit his maiden IPL hundred against SRH before the season was suspended. Buttler’s ton illustrated his approach towards a strong bowling attack – which is to take his time to settle in before exploding every way. In 4 out of the last 5 IPL seasons, Buttler’s strike rate has been above 150, showing power and consistency in his batting.

6. Prithvi Shaw – 8/10

Prithvi Shaw has been in dominating form this year. After a record-breaking Ranji Trophy season – 827 runs at an average of 165 – the diminutive opener was in a scintillating run-scoring spree in the first half of IPL 2021.

He smashed 308 runs at a strike rate of 166.49 with three fifties. He also became only the second batsman in the IPL to hit six fours in an over when he harrumphed Shivam Mavi in the first over itself.

5. Rishabh Pant – 8.5/10

Rishabh Pant’s strike rates in the last couple of seasons – 113.95 last year and 131.48 this year – have been below his standards and don’t do justice to his talent. In the three seasons from 2017 to 2019, the left-hander struck at more than 160. Now with the responsibility of being in the leadership group, Pant has slowed his game down a bit.

Nonetheless, he is one of the finest ball-hitter in the world and has also made his way into the national side across formats. Pant is one of the most difficult batters to bowl to as he can hit the ball in all directions by twisting his body.

4. AB de Villiers – 9/10

For years the Royal Challengers Bangalore have been dependent on one man to provide the finishing touches: AB de Villiers. The former South African captain strikes at 152.38 in his entire IPL career; in IPL 2021 the combination of his average – 51.75 – and strike rate – 164.29 – is phenomenal.

He ran the KKR bowlers ragged in the death overs smashing them for 76* off 34 balls on the Chennai pitch where all other batters found it difficult to get off the blocks, even if settled.

3. Hardik Pandya – 9/10

India’s premier finisher Hardik Pandya had the third-highest strike rate of 178.98 in IPL 2020. This season, however, his strike dropped to a below-par 118.18 because he batted most of his innings on the stodgy pitch in Chennai.

In the last game against CSK, Pandya came back to his groove and smashed a couple of sixes. He remains one of the cleanest strikers of the ball in world cricket.

2. Andre Russell – 9.5/10

Andre Russell is one of the batsmen who will tonk the ball hard and look for the boundary irrespective of the game situation. After a disappointing IPL 2020, Russell was on an improved show in IPL 2021, especially during his 22-ball 54-run dash against CSK at the Wankhede. He batted at a strike rate of 155.23 this season hitting 13 sixes in all.

1. Kieron Pollard – 9.5/10

There is little doubt the Kieron Pollard is an all-time T20 great; arguably he is the greatest T20 batsman as he is the second-highest T20 run-scorer behind Chris Gayle, but Pollard has made those runs while batting in middle-order position, often in the second half of the innings.

Pollard had the highest strike rate of 191.42 in the last IPL in the UAE; he has continued that form this year as well, striking at 171.42. His breathtaking innings of 87* off 34 balls versus CSK is one of the best IPL knocks.

The right-hander has hit 11 fours and 13 sixes in the 7 matches this season. Pollard is not just all power, he uses plenty of calculations and is aware of the match situation.

Also Read: 5 Batsmen Who Have Faced Most Balls In Test Cricket Since 2016