The IPL 2019 edition has seen the group stage come to an end on Sunday, with 56 matches having been played.
All the eight franchises played 14 games each and now we have the playoffs in IPL 2019, where four teams have qualified. Ahead of the IPL 2019 auction, a lot of interest was on foreign stars.
Most of the seasoned international cricketers were retained by their sides, but many were in the auction list.
There were some big-money purchases. Several youngsters from international teams found their way through and some of the T20 stalwarts got picked as well after successes elsewhere.
Over the years, foreign players have dictated the scenes in the IPL. From Chris Gayle, David Warner to that of Lasith Matinga, we have seen these players shine through the scenes.
This term too, several teams were dependent on their international signings to come and have an effect on the fortunes.
We had some strong shows from the regular names and several high-profile players missed the ploy with a poor season on offer.
Teams that did go on to qualify for the playoffs, saw the majority of their big foreign recruits do well. The same cannot be said for the rest.
Here we look at the hits and flops this season as far the foreign players are concerned in IPL 2019.
HITS
David Warner – The Australian cricketer made a comeback to the IPL 2019 after missing the same last term with a 12-month ban imposed on him for a ball-tampering scandal on international duty.
Warner came back and showed no sense of rustiness. He was commanding from the word go. He looked fit and ran well between the wickets, which was the highlight of these performances.
The Sunrisers Hyderabad player has already left the IPL, but in 12 matches, he was stupendous.
He is the Orange Cap holder with 692 runs.
The southpaw smashed one hundred and eight fifties at an average of 69.20. His tally looks enough to hand him the Orange Cap this season, which will be his third in IPL history.
Andre Russell – His team Kolkata Knight Riders may have struggled big time, but Russell stood tall like a king. The West Indian all-rounder enjoyed the form of his life.
Russell’s heroics saw him thrive with his shot-making abilities and powerful sixes. Interestingly, he was the only knight in the shining armor for KKR this term, who finished fifth.
Russell was the only KKR player to surpass 500 runs this season that included 52 sixes.
This is insane hitting. His strike-rate was at an excess of 200 this season.
The powerful West Indian was also the highest wicket-taker for his side (11). He will go into the 2019 World Cup high in confidence which is a positive sign for Cricket West Indies.
Kagiso Rabada:Â The South African played a commanding role to help Delhi Capitals reach the playoffs in IPL 2019. Rabada stood tall and from the onset, he was on the money.
He is the Purple Cap holder this season with 25 wickets and that saw DC dictate the show in pivotal moments. The South African featured in 12 games for DC.
Unfortunately, he was ruled out for the rest of the tourney with an injury.
Cricket South Africa wanted to get him back to the nation and assess him properly ahead of the 2019 World Cup, where he will be their pivotal asset. Rabada bowled quick and never shied away from yorkers, which was one of his most lethal weapons.
Imran Tahir – The veteran Chennai Super Kings spinner has been amongst the wickets all season. He has been MS Dhoni’s go to spinner.
Tahir has helped CSK win games and keep their heads high both at home and away. The defending champions finished as the second-placed team on the table as well.
The Proteas man has 21 wickets to his name and this is immense for the player ahead of the World Cup. Tahir defied age and performed at the highest level.
He is enjoying a sparkling form ahead of an imminent retirement from the game post the CWC.
MISSES
David Miller – The veteran South African international was expected to be the light for KXIPs middle order.
But Miller failed to produce substance of any kind. Another poor season for the experienced cricketer, who was retained by the side.
He managed just 213 runs in 10 matches with one fifty to his name. That’s a dismal tally to have for an important cricketer like Miller.
His poor show with the bat saw him be dropped as KXIP preferred the young Nicholas Pooran.
The West Indian gave a strong example of himself with some clean hitting. Miller could well miss the bus as KXIP may get tempted to release him ahead of next IPL season.
Ben Stokes – After being disappointing last season, Ben Stokes failed to light up RR’s campaign this term as well. He was a costly mistake for RR, who went on to retain him after disappearing last term with his shabby performances.
Stokes hardly offered anything substantial on the field. His confidence will take a huge blow ahead of the CWC 2019.
With 123 runs in 9 matches, Stokes looked someone well past his prime. Also, with the ball in his hand, the Englishman was disappointing.
He took just six wickets at an economy-rate of 11.22. He left the tourney early with international duty on offer, but was dropped in the last few games before departure.
Sunil Narine – The big hitting West Indian was nowhere near to the exploits of last year.
Narine not only picked 17 scalps in IPL 2018, but also scored 365 runs at a solid strike-rate on offer. This campaign, Narine was a hit and miss with the bat which subsequently saw him get dropped lower down the order.
With the ball, the right-arm spinner didn’t look as sharp he needed to be. He was amongst the runs and took just 10 wickets.
The match-winner failed to get his side past the line this season and that impacted KKR. He was expected to their most valuable player in IPL 2019, but Narine was way below the standards one expected from the T20 freelancer.
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