(Cricket news) As the fireworks are slowly coming to an end in the UAE the race for the purple cap and orange cap will continue till the last match of IPL. The teams still have few matches in hand as the players will look to finish on top for the meritorious cap. There are chances of players topping the bowling and batting charts for the first time. The race for the orange cap is intense as there are three players who are on par with each other and the playoffs will see who can outscore one another.
Orange Cap
KL Rahul: Punjab Kings
Rahul is still leading the run charts even though Punjab has no more matches to play. With 626 runs in 13 matches, Rahul has crossed the 600 run barrier for the second consecutive time and third overall. There are slim chances of him finishing on top as the next few batsmen still have more matches to play and the orange cap winner from last year will have to step down this time.
Faf du Plessis: Chennai Super Kings
Faf du Plessis is having his best season in IPL as he has crossed the 500 run mark for the first time. He has five fifties this season and has scored 546 runs in fourteen matches, he is 80 runs behind Rahul. He has a golden opportunity to win the orange cap for the first time across nine seasons and will be a big boost for the team. He scored a whirlwind 76 in the last match against Punjab and looks to be in good shape.
Shikhar Dhawan: Delhi Capitals
Dhawan has been the batting guide for Delhi Capitals, he has scored 544 runs in fourteen matches and is only two runs behind Faf du Plessis. He has scored over 500 runs in the last three seasons and finished second last season. He has three fifties so far and can be a strong competitor till the end. He is the only left hander in the top five run getters this season.
Ruturaj Gaikwad: Chennai Super Kings
Rituraj is the youngest in the top five run getters this season and is the only centurion in the second phase of the league. He has shown the ability to bat defensively as well as attack when needed, he can play with the ball and can hit 100m plus sixes. Ruturaj has 533 runs in fourteen matches and can spring a surprise among the experienced players on the list.
Purple Cap
Harshal Patel: Royal Challengers Bangalore
Harshal has been breaking records every now and then this season, he has become the third bowler to take 30 wickets in a season after Dwayne Bravo and Kagiso Rabada. Harshal has 30 wickets in fourteen matches and only needs two more to equal Bravo’s record of most wickets in a season. He has a steady lead among the wicket takers and is almost guaranteed to win the purple cap.
Avesh Khan: Delhi Capitals
Avesh Khan has delivered his hundred percent to the team and his figures of 22 wickets in fourteen matches speaks for itself. He has pace and accuracy in his bowling and the youngster had five wickets in IPL from nine matches. He has shown improvement in his bowling and even though has a lot to cover for the purple cap can finish just behind Harshal.
