Players’ IPL form a bonus

The form of South African players in the current Indian Premier League (IPL) bodes well for the 2022 T20 World Cup, set to be played in Australia in October and November.

There are 11 South Africans currently competing in this year’s IPL in India and a number of them have put in star performances so far.

The three stand-out SA players at this stage of the competition have been Aiden Markram, Kagiso Rabada and David Miller.

Markram (below), who has been much maligned for his Test and one day international form for the Proteas, has again proven his worth at T20 level with some brilliant performances for the Sunrisers Hyderabad.

He currently boasts the highest batting average in the tournament (an incredible 87.66 at a strike rate of 149.43), having batted seven times in nine games, scoring 263 runs.

He has also been unbeaten four times and managed two half-centuries, including a highest score of 68 not out.

Proteas strike bowler Rabada is enjoying another stellar IPL and is currently tied second on the wicket-taking charts with 17 wickets in nine games for the Punjab Kings.

He has bowled consistently well throughout the tournament so far, managing two four wicket hauls, including in his most recent match with 4/33 and was named Man-of-the-Match as he helped his side beat the table topping Gujarat Titans.

Much of Gujarat’s impressive form has come down to the finishing prowess of Miller, who has powered them to a number of wins this season.

Miller currently holds one of the top five averages with 57.4, has hit 287 runs in 10 innings at a strike rate of 145.68, has been not out five times and has scored one half-century (94*).