2021 IPL: Predicting Most Valuable Players of each IPL 2021 team.
2021 IPL: Season 14 of the Vivo IPL 2021 was started on its usual slot of April – May by the BCCI. The first half of the season went on nicely and all the teams comfortably completed their first seven games. As soon as the excitement for the business end was building up amongst the fans, the dreaded virus breached the layers of protection and entered the bio-tight bubble and infected a couple of cricketers.
The Indian cricket authorities informed all the franchise owners and stakeholders, took the step to suspend the play, ensuring the safety of each individual involved in the safe conduct.
The 2021 IPL before getting suspended, gave countless moments of joy to all the cricket fans across the globe and put a smile on every face during these dire times.
From last ball finishes, to low scoring thrillers – there were a lot of instances that can be recalled and cherished for the time being.
Players stepped up during these games and put up a strong knock to lead his side to win.
In this article, we will predict the Most Valuable Player for each 2021 IPL franchise/team.
2021 IPL: Predicting Most Valuable Players of each IPL 2021 team:
Rajasthan Royals (RR) – Sanju Samson
The former champions, Rajasthan Royals (RR) have never found it easy to remove the tag of underdogs, that was given to them when they lifted the inaugural IPL title in 2008. Since then the franchise has made multiple changes – be it on coaching styles, players, management – to bring back the happy days.
It never looked like a comfort zone for the Royals to be at the top in the points table. Rajasthan Royals have reached the top four in just three IPL seasons, removing the one which they won in 2008.
Ahead of the Vivo IPL 2021, Royals handed over the reins to young Sanju Samson after the franchise let go of Steve Smith due to his poor form. Samson on most occasions has done well for the team.
In the seven appearances, he has scored 277 runs with one century, which came in his captaincy debut game.
With the responsibility to lead his side, Samson will surely play with more sensitivity and calm. He has shown his composure in the first half of the tournament and will be hoping to do that in the second half as well.
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Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) – Pat Cummins
The Shahrukh Khan owned franchise Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) spent a million dollars in the Australian pacer in the 2020 IPL auctions. Cummins in the previous IPL season, which was held in UAE, couldn’t justify his price tag associated with him and his image in the international format.
The Aussie pacer conceded runs in the previous season and was termed as the worst buy by KKR in recent years, however, keeping behind all the buzz, KKR retained the pacer in the IPL 2021 and it turned out to be a golden move.
Cummins not only proved his mettle with his sheer bowling but also contributed with the bat. He picked up 9 wickets in 7 IPL 2021 games and was the leading wicket-taker for KKR.
His contribution with the bat comes in 93 runs in five innings and has also played a defining knock against CSK. He almost won the game single-handedly but fell short of a partner from another end.
Punjab Kings (PBKS) – KL Rahul
There is no second thought in his name. Punjab Kings (PBKS), formerly known as Kings XI Punjab, has over-relied on the services of KL Rahul. The Punjab skipper has done brilliantly in recent years.
Ever since he picked up the leadership job for PBKS, he has shone to a greater extent. It would be fair to say that almost 50 per cent of the runs of Punjab has been scored by him in the last two to three years.
He always leads the run-getters chart and this time is no different. He is second in the list with 331 runs in just seven innings for PBKS.
He has also sharpened his captaincy skills and knows how to better use his resources.
With his recent form complementing his captaincy, he will surely emerge out as the Most Valuable Player for Punjab Kings.
Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) – Rashid Khan
No one ever can deny him being on the list of the Most Valuable Players. The scintillating spinner, Rashid Khan has learned the art of performing in white-ball cricket and has experienced huge success in it.
The Afghan spinner has always been on the list of top wicket-takers in every T20 leagues. Most of the experts feel there is no replacement available for him as of now.
In the Vivo IPL 2021, Khan remained the top bowler for SRH with 10 scalps in seven games. Moreover, his economy always revolves around 6 and is a trouble maker for the opposition.
Besides his bowling skills, he always entertains the fans with his unusual style of batting late in the innings. He often scores quick runs when needed.
Delhi Capitals (DC) – Shikhar Dhawan
The Southpaw Shikhar Dhawan has been on a different path ever since he jumped to Delhi Capitals (DC). Dhawan used to be an underperformer in the shortest format, however, his abilities to roll his wrist has put him at the top.
Everyone had a complaint with him for not scoring with the desired rate following the power plays. But, the scenario has changed now.
He remained one of the top scorers in the IPL 2020 season and is leading the chart in the IPL 2021. The previous season, he scored 618 runs in 17 games for DC while in the current season he is at the top with massive 380 runs in eight games.
Dhawan now gives himself a bit of time to settle down and after he gets going, it becomes nearly impossible to stop him. With his improved gameplay, he will be the Most Valuable Player for DC.
Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) – AB de Villiers
Until the previous seasons, RCB had an unfair tendency to over-rely on Virat and AB de Villiers to win games, which has changed now. With the inclusion of Glenn Maxwell and a couple of other players on the side, the dependence has been diluted and all the players are assigned the roles.
AB de Villiers was pushed back to number 5 by the RCB management and that move has worked for the team. Although several pundits had criticised the decision earlier, AB seems to love the slot.
Playing at number 5 doesn’t give you enough balls to get settled up. AB has mastered the art and has produced a couple of match-saving innings at that position.
De Villiers has plundered 207 runs in six innings with a strike rate of 164.28. Apart from this, he is also valuable in keeping the wicket that has reduced the load of an extra wicketkeeper.
Mumbai Indians (MI) – Jasprit Bumrah
The bowler with all the weapons. The bowler with all skills to demolish the opposition. Jasprit Bumrah is the pinnacle of what we call the expert bowler. The Mumbai Indians (MI) pacer has overshadowed all the players in MI.
Every time, MI needs to defend a low total, or wants a couple of wickets, Rohit Sharma recalls Jasprit Bumrah and he delivers more often than not.
It would be fair to say that Jasprit Bumrah is a perfect artist of death bowling, where every other bowler seems lacking. He has shaped himself into a perfect option to bowl at any time, regardless of the surface, overs and other outdoor situations.
Although he was not at his best in the first half of the Vivo IPL 2021, he managed to keep the batters quiet with his dominance.
Bumrah was the second-highest wicket-taker in the IPL 2020 which was held in the UAE. he scalped 27 wickets in the season with an impressive economy of 6.73.
The second half of the Vivo IPL 2021 is scheduled to be held in the UAE and Bumrah will be keen to play there and scalp wickets.
Chennai Super Kings (CSK) – Ravindra Jadeja
The all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja has come up ranks and improved leaps and bounds in recent years. From being a usual all-rounder to being India’s all-format cricketer, Jadeja has seen a lot.
The southpaw was the only lone warrior for CSK to score runs in the last season of IPL. With all-stars of CSK not performing their duties, Jadeja kept his nerves and took CSK to a respectable total.
In the first half of the Vivo IPL 2021, Jadeja was impressive with his late batting and bowling skills. He smacked bowlers for runs at the death overs.
Jadeja picked 6 wickets in seven games for CSK and amassed 171 runs in six innings batting late.
He plundered massive 62 runs in 28 balls against RCB, and hammered RCB pacer Harshal Patel for 37 runs in a single over.
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