Caribbean flair in full flow this IPL season

[1]

The calypso beat has been loud and clear this season. The Australians and South Africans have been most influential in the league; the Kiwis and Lankans have had their moments as well but this is the first time where a cluster of imports from the Caribbean have had such a massive impact. Leading the way as always is Jamaican Chris Gayle.

The stage is not new to the destructive opener and even by his standards the current year has been a huge high.

Sunil Narine continues to wreak havoc with a brand of spin that has not been seen before. Kieron Pollard, last minute replacement Dwayne Smith and Kevon Cooper have all left a lasting impression.

The West Indians will have a key role to play in the last week and the play-offs that follow.

Chris Gayle (RCB): An average above 50 coming at more than nine runs per over is gold mine. Gayle provides RCB the cutting edge and more importantly puts the fear in the opposing bowlers from the word go.

Gayle’s audacious stroke play cannot be copied but what the youngsters in the side have benefited from him is the ice cool temperament.

Runs: 578. Avg: 52.54. SR: 150.52.

Kieron Pollard (MI): The game changer went quiet for a while and the shoulder injury added to his woes.

The knock against RCB was good enough to silence all. Mumbai’s fortunes will hinge largely on Pollard’s rhythm with both bat and ball, and not to forget those razor sharp stops and gravity defying catches.

Runs: 196. Avg: 28.00. SR: 145.18
Wkts: 13. Avg: 21.15. ER: 7.89. Ct: 6.

Sunil Narine (KKR): After 44 overs from spike haired Narine, nothing much is still known. Right from his approach to the wicket to the use of the non bowling arm, the youngster does nothing what the manual suggests yet his control has been exemplary.

Kolkata will be praying hard for his magic to continue till the final. Easily the biggest success of this season.

Wkts: 17. Avg: 13.70. ER: 5.29.

Kevon Cooper: (RR): Nothing much was known of Cooper when Rajasthan picked him. The hard working seamer is crafty and put that to good use in plumb batting conditions.

To succeed as a medium pacer in India is a hard task and Cooper made it look easy. If not for an injury, cooper could have played a more substantial role for Rajasthan.

Wkts: 10. Avg: 17.40. ER: 7.25.

Dwayne Smith (MI): The numbers are not startling but the three ferocious hits against Chennai is already a part of IPL folklore.

Smith was snapped by Mumbai as a late replacement for the injured Mitchell Johnson and did not disappoint a packed Wankhede.