(Cricket news) The second phase of the IPL begins tomorrow in UAE, the first phase saw Delhi Capitals leading the points table with Shikhar Dhawan leading the batting charts. Delhi Capitals have one bowler and two batsmen in the top five charts of runs scored and wickets. The first stage has so far seen three centuries with Rajasthan Royals accounting for two of them. The top five batsmen from the first phase are all right handers except for Shikhar Dhawan and Faf Du Plessis being the only overseas player.

Shikhar Dhawan: Delhi Capitals

Dhawan is currently the highest run scorer with 380 runs from eight matches, he has been playing in IPL since the inaugural edition and has scored 300 plus runs in every season except in 2009 and 2010. He started off with a whirlwind 85 from 54 balls that helped his team chase a target of 190 against Chennai Super Kings and in the third match single handedly led the team to victory by scoring 92 runs from 49 balls against Punjab Kings.

Dhawan’s form has given the team great starts and they have been able to chase down huge targets. The left hander plays with aggression which has helped him become a consistent performer in the league and last year became the first batsmen in IPL to score back to back centuries which helped saw him scoring 618 runs his highest so far. Dhawan’s form is vital for Delhi Capitals to stay on top of the points table.

KL Rahul: Punjab Kings

Rahul has been a star performer every season with the bat and has so far scored 331 runs from seven matches. He has smashed 16 sixes which is the most this season along with four half centuries and has got out in the nineties twice. His captaincy skills are also on point along with the wicket keeping and has scored 500 plus runs in the past three seasons. He can get runs on board quickly and has the ability to clear the boundaries consistently as he has scored the fastest half century in IPL in 2018 which came off 18 balls . Rahul also has the highest score by an Indian in the IPL as he scored 132 last year and ended the season with 670 runs.

Faf Du Plessis: Chennai Super Kings

Du Plessis is known for his flying catches and speed on the field, he is 37 years old but is still quicker and agile than most of the youngsters in the league. He has scored 320 runs from seven matches. After failing to score in the opening game against Delhi Capitals, Du Plessis has been in spectacular form as he has scored four half centuries in his last four innings and even came close to scoring his first century in IPL in the fourth match against Kolkata Knight Riders but fell short of five runs. He is coming back from playing CPL for Saint Lucia Kings and is known for his ability to hit with power and also technique.

Prithvi Shaw: Delhi Capitals

The youngest of the lot, Shaw has been proving to be a perfect partner to Dhawan in the Delhi Capitals. He has scored 308 runs from eight matches and is having the best season so far as his previous highest runs tally was in 2019 when he scored 353 runs from 16 matches. Shaw was on song against Kolkata Knight Riders as he scored 82 runs from 41 balls and hit six fours in six balls in the very first over of the match. Shaw will be eager to cross the 400 run mark or even the 500 mark this season and has the ability to hit the ball all around the ground.

Sanju Samson: Rajasthan Royals

Samson has been one of the most elegant batsmen in the IPL in recent times and comfortably clears the boundary ropes. He has scored 277 runs from seven matches so far and scored a heroic 119 in his first match as a captain. He is known to be brave and is always on the lookout to knock one over the boundary. Although he struggled after the first match scoring 30 runs in the next three matches he came back with 40 plus scores in the final three matches. Samson has been the lone performer from his team and as the captain will need to motivate the players to climb up the rankings.

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