IPL 10: 5 Players to watch out for this weekend

A total of four matches are set to be played this weekend. And each team has some world-class batsmen and explosive pinch hitters. With 8 teams are already in the fray, it is definitely a herculean task to pick out the top 5 players to watch out for this weekend.

In the last couple of days, lots of out-of-form cricketers have suddenly regained their form. This weekend will be definitely a relishing one for the cricket fans as these five batsmen are set scale newer heights of T20 cricket.

Top 5 Cricketers to watch out for this weekend:

#1) Virat Kohli:

Expectations are bound to be plenty from the dashing Delhi batsman. Now, having been declared fully fit by BCCI medical team – you can expect Virat to play freely and smash a few quick fifties and tons at IPL 10.

Last year, Kohli was the orange cap holder with some astonishing display of his batting skills. Kohli garnered 973 runs from 16 IPL matches with 4 tons and 7 fifties at IPL 2016.

Virat Kohli played fabulously against Mumbai Indians hitting a well-crafted 62 against at his comeback match this season. With RCB and RPS are set to collide tomorrow at the garden city – Bengaluru – fans can certainly hope for a big knock from the RCB captain.

#2) Steven Smith:

After a fantastic test series against India, Smith is now repeating his successful run riot in IPL too. Until now, the lanky Aussie batsman has played 3 matches this season and scored 153 runs at a brilliant average of 76.5. Not to forget his phenomenal knock of 84* against SRH at IPL opener.

Steven Smith is the kind of batsman, who can bat exceedingly well at any position. He is perfect at No 3, a capable middle order batsman and an outstanding fielder too.

Last year, he got his maiden IPL ton against Gujarat Lions. He amassed 270 runs last year at a good average of 45 and strike rate of 150 plus. He is set to take on his rival Virat Kohli on blockbuster Sunday at the upcoming RCB Vs RPS match.

#3) Hashim Amla:

The veteran Protea’s batsman Hashim Amla is known for his sublime technique and rock-solid defence up the order. Someone with a career average of around 50 in tests and ODIs is always a dangerous player in T20s.

The South African opener is now all set to woo his fans with spectacular shots at opening slot alongside Manan Vohra. After sustaining a shocking defeat at the hands of KKR, KXIP are set to get back its old rhythm back with a win against the Delhi Daredevils tonight. Hashim Amla’s defense is rock solid and if he sticks to ground for at least five-six overs then it could be dangerous for his opponents.

It was Amla’s brilliant 58* that saw Punjab convincingly beat RCB at Indore a few days back. So, Hashim Amla is definitely a batsman to watch out for this weekend. For statistics, Amla already has around 16000 international runs in his kitty across formats.

#4) Yusuf Pathan:

Ever since Yusuf Pathan got inducted into KKR squad, his fortune has completely changed. KKR retained him season by season. And thanks to Yousuf’s prolific capacity as a pinch hitter and all-rounder – he is definitely an asset for his team.

The IPL 2016 was absolutely fantabulous for this explosive batsman. He smashed whatever came his way last year. Yousuf Pathan collected 361 runs from 15 matches at an average of 72 and strike rate of 146 with 3 fifties to his credit.

Now, KKR are set to take on SRH today evening, and who knows Yousuf Pathan may smash one more IPL ton today that he did against Mumbai Indians in 2010. This year, Yousuf Pathan played one IPL match and got dismissed for just 6 runs. So, he is definitely a surprise package for today’s IPL clash.

#5) Ab de Villiers:

More is less when you speak about this cricketer. Ab De Villiers is a classy South African batsman known for his aggressive shots all across the ground.

He missed a couple of matches this season due to injury concerns, but made a vehement comeback with an unbeaten knock of 89* off 46 balls against Kings XI Punjab. However, in the very next match, De Villiers got out for just 19 runs against Mumbai Indians.

Devilliers is ready for a big Sunday battle against the Rising Pune Supergiant (RPS) tomorrow. With RCB already languishing at 6^th spot at the IPL league points table 2017, you can expect a big knock from Ab De Villiers tomorrow and who knows we may witness another century from the Protea’s batting maestro. He already got 3365 runs at a strike rate of 145 and average of 40 with 3 tons and 22 fifties in his decade-long IPL career.