K. L. RAHUL (India)
While most of his India teammates were either struggling or seeing patchy returns while plying their trade in the IPL, Rahul was as consistent with the willow on either sides of his sedate-yet-sensational run in white flannes in England.
In fact, had Punjab Kings’ middle- and lower-order been as good as India’s during the Test series in England, Rahul could well have led his team to a rare appearance in the Playoffs and not conceded the Orange Cap to Ruturaj Gaikwad due to want of games.
Third 600-plus runs season in the last four IPL editions — the other seeing a tally of 593 runs — speaks volumes of Rahul’s prowess and form leading into the T20 World Cup.
But for him to continue his exploits in India’s blues over the next four weeks, he will first have to hope for a fair run to open the innings along with Rohit Sharma at the start of the tournament. With India’s opening combination being as mysterious ahead of the tournament as Varun Chakravarthy’s spin bowling, Rahul will be desperate to open the innings against Pakistan.
If the stars align for him on that front, India will be hoping that he continues to plunder opposition attacks effortlessly.