With the <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/t20/ipl-indian-premier-league/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">IPL</a> 2021 now due in two days, the battle of elites is now once again all set to produce T20 cricket’s biggest extravaganza. Yet again to fill in their flaming voids, the IPL teams had done some extensive shopping in the February auction and will be eager to try and test their new proponents.

Also, with the tournament not exhibiting any home advantage to any of the IPL teams, this IPL will surely be a steep mountain to climb for franchises along with making it utterly difficult to maintain a winning streak. Just like the IPL 2020, surely even this time the teams who soar early will carry a legitimate advantage in terms of their position in the points table. However. they would like to prefer an early entry into the playoffs, unlike the last season.

All in all, with the IPL being a fitting arrangement for the players to extensively prepare well for the mega ICC event in October, the cricket will be anticipated to be at its sheer best with each IPL franchise perhaps being the serious contender to qualify for the top four. Hence, predicting here-

Team-wise top run-scorer and wicket-taker in IPL 2021

1. RCB : Virat Kohli &amp; Yuzvendra Chahal

<img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-454610" src="https://crictracker-admin-panel-08032022.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/media/attachments/Virat-Kohli-3.jpg" alt="Virat Kohli" width="640" height="400" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-454610" class="wp-caption-text">Virat Kohli (Photo Source: IPL/BCCI)</figcaption>

With the appointment of Mike Hesson in the IPL 2020, there’s been a mini revamp in the RCB squad whose positive results were immediately seen when the franchise had qualified into the playoffs. Also, it was one of those elusive years where the overall inferiority of the side in IPL 2020 had occurred because of the team’s overwrought batting order. But prior to the start of the 2021 IPL, the team has nullified most of their voids and now looks like a well-stacked unit that can very much take on any team on any given day.

In terms of predicting their top run-scorer, then, although the team does contains the presence of two legendary batters of this era, with Virat Kohli already being vocal about his new batting position alongside his brimming current form, undoubtedly he looks to the man to notch most runs. In the recently concluded T20I series against England, skipper Kohli scored a mountain of 231 runs at a hounding average of 115.5.

More importantly, while taking his team over the line against mighty England, Virat Kohli’s batting in the series was very much reminiscent of the way he had scored 973 runs in the IPL 2016. Hence with a manhattan of runs and confidence, unarguably he will be the leading batsman for RCB in IPL 2021.

In terms of fetching the most wickets, someone like Yuzi Chahal since his debut with RCB has been the ever consistent bowler of this team along with being skipper Kohli’s most backed striking bowler. Last year, Chahal had in total scalped 21 wickets for RCB and was also amongst the top five wicket-takers of the season. Apart from giving crucial breakthroughs, he is one of those elusive RCB bowlers whose economy rate is just a tad over 7. Hence, with consistently being the steadfast wicket-taker for RCB in the last few seasons, yet again he will be anticipated to top charts with his witty bowling.

2. Punjab Kings: KL Rahul &amp; Jhye Richardson

<img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-477940" src="https://crictracker-admin-panel-08032022.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/media/attachments/Jhye-Richardson.jpg" alt="Jhye Richardson" width="640" height="400" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-477940" class="wp-caption-text">Jhye Richardson. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)</figcaption>

Last year this franchise under the leadership of <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/this-time-everyone-will-see-an-aggressive-kl-rahul-in-ipl-wasim-jaffer/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">KL Rahul</a> had gone through a seesaw ride. In the first half of the tournament, the team had disappointingly placed themselves towards the rear end of the points table. But in their last seven games, the franchise with their fearless gameplay almost had made it for the playoffs. However, with a small revamp in their organizational name along with some refurbishment in their squad, Punjab Kings now does looks like an attractive team that can fix their playoffs spot if continued with the fearless gameplay of their last season.

To pick their leading run-scorer for the IPL 2021, the team does have some exuberant names like Chris Gayle, KL Rahul &amp; Nicholas Pooran. But, with KL Rahul being a rhythm player who finally notched some husky runs against England in ODIs, one might yet again expect him to grab an orange cap. Last year, with his blistering form, Rahul was the orange cap holder of the tournament and has amassed a total of 670 runs at an average of almost 45. Hence, by finding his rhythm back, the PBKS squad can expect similar fireworks from KL Rahul’s bat.

In terms of being the top wicket-taker, already the franchise has been enduring the absence of Mohammad Shami whose availability regarding the IPL is unclear. Therefore someone like Jhye Richardson will be seen at the helm. The IPL newbie had an exceptional BBL season wherein he scalped 29 wickets from his 17 games. Also being a genuine wicket-taker like Mohammad Shami, Richardson possesses an alluring variety of cutters and fast deliveries. Hence, by being in the company of a reasonable bowling attack, Richardson will be expected to become their chief bowler scalping many wickets.

3. Kolkata Knight Riders: Shubman Gill &amp; Pat Cummins

<img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-338602" src="https://crictracker-admin-panel-08032022.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/media/attachments/Shubman-Gill.jpg" alt="Shubman Gill" width="640" height="400" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-338602" class="wp-caption-text">Shubman Gill. (Photo Source: Twitter)</figcaption>

Last year before the 2020 IPL, the KKR team was highly anticipated to seamlessly qualify for playoffs mainly because of its class-leading overseas players along with some talented pool of uncapped cricketers. But as we all know, the team faced some vulnerable leadership crises wherein Eoin Morgan was then eventually given the reins. Despite being in the top four until the mid-way of the IPL, KKR was peculiarly unable to make it for the playoffs. But now by adding some prolific stock of cricketers, the team will yet again start as favourites to grab a place in the top for IPL 2021.

To pick their top run-scorer, although the team does have the hefty presence of Morgan, <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/buck-up-and-do-the-best-in-next-couple-of-months-dinesh-karthik-in-support-of-kuldeep-yadav/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">DK</a>, and Andre Russell in the middle-order, at the top, someone like Shubman Gill should be able to produce some consistent big scores. A stable opening combination along with the uncertain batting combination was KKR’s biggest flaws in the last IPL which under captain Morgan should be resolved. Last year, while opening, Gill scored a total of 440 runs at an average of around 33. But despite scoring consistently, Gill only notched three fifties with a menial strike rate of 117.96. However, now with his elongated run in international cricket, Shubman Gill will be expected to turn out as a 500 run bank for KKR. Overall, he does have the caliber to play attacking cricket and can be KKR’s man with breakthrough scores at the top.

In the bowling department once again the onus will be on the overseas star Pat Cummins to grasp most wickets mainly because of his robust proposition. Last year, Pat Cummins had a disheartening season wherein in his 14 games he only managed to scalp 12 wickets. Also, it was one of those elusive years where Cummins had played his entire IPL season. Hence, a bleak last season would have been the biggest learning curve for this champion bowler and can be banked to be KKR’s leading wicket-taker.

4. SRH: David Warner &amp; Bhuvneshwar Kumar

<img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-328579" src="https://crictracker-admin-panel-08032022.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/media/attachments/Bhuvneshwar-Kumar.jpg" alt="Bhuvneshwar Kumar" width="640" height="400" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-328579" class="wp-caption-text">Bhuvneshwar Kumar of SRH (Photo: IANS)</figcaption>

Ever since the year 2016 when SRH had won their first IPL glory, the franchise has become one of the constant teams in the IPL to qualify for the playoffs. Despite losing some elite names during the first half of the IPL 2020, <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/ipl-2021-pumped-up-david-warner-expresses-his-excitement-ahead-of-new-season/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">David Warner</a> did not let his team sway away from the top four eventually making his team stand third by the end of the season. Therefore, with their routine affair, the orange army will be anticipated to make it big in the IPL 2021 but would surely this time face strenuous competition from other teams.

Picking their top run-getter each year is hardly a no-brainer because David Warner is the ultimate iceberg on which the entire SRH’s batting floats. Since IPL 2016, Warner has been a 550 plus run bank for SRH and overall averages 40 plus in his IPL career. Overall, he is the IPL’s third-highest run-scorer with over 5000 runs and 48 fifties under his name. Hence, to again soar SRH into the playoffs, a colossal amount of runs will be expected from Warner’s bat.

In terms of picking most wickets, since SRH is a team that predominantly is known to win games with their bowling, there are a lot of contenders who can come at the top. Although the team also has the specialized services of Rashid Khan, with Bhuvneswar Kumar looking ever so fit and fine along with his recent scintillating performances for team India, the pacer does look in the fierce form to win games for SRH. In the recently concluded T20I series against England, Bhuvi was seen being utterly economical with his bowling which also later allowed him to scalp 6 wickets in the three-match ODI series. Hence, such profound performances against a team like England, he does exemplify why he can be seen scalping most wickets for SRH.

5. CSK: Faf Du Plessis &amp; Dwayne Bravo

<img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-446948" src="https://crictracker-admin-panel-08032022.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/media/attachments/Faf-du-Plessis-CSK.jpg" alt="Faf du Plessis CSK" width="640" height="400" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-446948" class="wp-caption-text">Faf du Plessis CSK. (Photo Source: Twitter)</figcaption>

The IPL 2020 was the elusive year when the yellow army was seen absent from their routine playoffs spot and overall had the most turbulent ride amongst all teams. Even someone like skipper MS Dhoni was highly seen struggling and overall it felt that the team had completely lost their magic of being an IPL giant. But before the IPL 2021 begins, CSK had done some ingenious shopping in the February auction and now especially has a sublime bolstering of all-rounders under their squad.

In terms of picking their highest run-scorer, although one can presumably name Suresh Raina because of his scoring consistency, at present, the cricketer has not played much of high-class cricket. Hence, in that sense yet again Faf Du Plessis looks to be the alluring candidate who just like his last season can be the legitimate run-scorer for <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/ipl-2021-3-chennai-super-kings-csk-players-who-might-be-benched-for-most-of-the-season/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">CSK</a>. In IPL 2020, Du Plessis in his 13 games scored a total of 449 runs at a remarkable average of close to 41. Regardless of CSK’s overall batting woes, Du Plessis’s batting was the only silver lining coming from their camp. Hence, to have their normalcy back, Du Plessis will be anticipated to regularly score big for the yellow army.

In terms of their bowling, although MS Dhoni now does has a plethora of bowlers and all-rounders to fetch wickets, Dwayne Bravo still remains his chief bowler during times of adversity. Last year because of his treacherous injury, Bravo had only played six games and looked completely off colour. Even in the IPL 2019, Bravo couldn’t accumulate the cluster of wickets for which he is normally known for. However, with a realm of experience under his name along with being the leading figure in the history of this format, again we might see the resurgence of the Caribbean pacer getting back in his normal rhythm.

6. Rajasthan Royals: Jos Buttler &amp; Chris Morris

<img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-329099" src="https://crictracker-admin-panel-08032022.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/media/attachments/Jos-Buttler.jpg" alt="Jos Buttler" width="640" height="400" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-329099" class="wp-caption-text">Jos Buttler. (Photo Source: Twitter)</figcaption>

Last year despite starting aggressively in the initial games of IPL 2020, the RR team finished their season by finding themselves in the rearmost direction of the points table. Players like Sanju Samson and Steve Smith were utterly inconsistent with their performances and someone like Steve Smith had a hazardous time with his captaincy. Despite having the glamour of Ben Stokes towards the rear end, the team overall had a saddening season. But with the appointment of their new captain Sanju Samson, the franchise will now undergo a new beginning.

For scoring most runs, the RR camp does have some sturdy names like Ben Stokes and skipper Samson himself, but when someone like Jos Buttler is available at the top then hardly there’s a debate left. Last year, Buttler had a very underwhelming season as he could only notch 328 runs from his 13 games. Just like his peers, even his batting looked completely inconsistent which very broadly had drastic effects on RR’s overall performances. However, with <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/ipl-2021-rajasthan-royals-share-adorable-video-of-jos-buttler-training-with-his-daughter/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Buttler</a> now having a splendid time for England wherein he currently averages more than 50 as an opener, a plethora of fireworks and match-winning innings are bound to get produced from his bat in the upcoming IPL.

In terms of wickets, although Jofra Archer’s entire IPL omission is a big blow for RR, even in this adversity, there’s a chance for someone like Chris Morris to rise up and demonstrate his true worth. Although the team does have some prominent replacements available in the form of Andrew Tye and Mustafizur Rahman, someone like Morris will often be the fourth overseas player in the playing XI. Hence, by regularly being in the top XI, the absence of Jofra Archer is a fitting instance for Chris Morris to revamp his bowling career in the IPL.

7. Delhi Capitals: Rishabh Pant &amp; Kagiso Rabada

<img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-328168" src="https://crictracker-admin-panel-08032022.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/media/attachments/Kagiso-Rabada.jpg" alt="Kagiso Rabada" width="640" height="400" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-328168" class="wp-caption-text">Kagiso Rabada. (Photo: Surjeet Yadav/IANS)</figcaption>

The Ponting-Iyer fellowship has completely changed the fortunes of this franchise as for the second consecutive time the Delhi camp was seen qualifying for playoffs in IPL 2020. A strong Indian core combined with some eminent overseas proponents makes DC one of the most balanced teams in the IPL 2020, who probably were only inferior to the mighty MI in the last season. However, this time with its same set of players the franchise would be eyeing for a potential IPL glory.

In terms of amassing most runs, someone like <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/my-first-match-as-captain-will-be-against-mahi-bhai-rishabh-pant/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Rishabh Pant </a>whose also now the skipper of the team will be expected to produce similar fireworks just like in his recent international career. In absence of Shreyas Iyer, Rishabh Pant can fully promote himself at number four which will eventually give him more time to unleash his natural gameplay. With a disastrous last season, Pant also has a lot to prove in terms of his batting in the IPL and the upcoming season looks to be the ideal one. Hence, with his current batting form along with his recent match-winning heroics, one can highly expect Pant to become a revelation for DC in terms of his batting.

To unnerve and clank out the opposition teams, Delhi Capitals once again have the South African duo available wherein Kagiso Rabada will be seen burning the stumps. In the last IPL, Rabada had taken 30 wickets by fetching them at an average of 18. Apart from his constant scalping, Rabada also leaked runs at an economy of around 8. Often, he was skipper Shreyas Iyer’s go-to man who could sometimes wipe out the batting lineups. Hence, even in the forthcoming season, Rabada will be seen breathing wickets.

8. Mumbai Indians : Suryakumar Yadav &amp; Jasprit Bumrah

<img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-246803" src="https://crictracker-admin-panel-08032022.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/media/attachments/Suryakumar-Yadav.jpg" alt="Suryakumar Yadav" width="640" height="400" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-246803" class="wp-caption-text">Mumbai Indians&#8217; Suryakumar Yadav celebrates his half-century. (Photo by Surjeet Yadav/IANS)</figcaption>

With already being declared as an ever best all-time team in the history of the T20 cricket along with being the hot favourites to lift their sixth IPL title, the MI fans would be expecting the team to pick themselves up from where they had left in the IPL 2020. Hardly there were any defects and flaws in the MI’s robust IPL season and in terms of filling the voids inside their spin department, the team has now additional bolstering in the form of <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/ipl-2021-piyush-chawla-gives-a-glimpse-of-adorable-gesture-by-mumbai-indians-to-cut-bio-bubble-monotony/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Piyush Chawla.</a>

In the lineup of giants picking up a clear candidate for scoring most runs is a befuddling affair but to come up with a clear name some utter consistency has been considered from previous seasons as well. With such a parameter, someone like Suryakumar Yadav does become the topping name as since IPL 2018 he has almost been MI’s 500-run bank. In his last three seasons for MI, Sky has in total scored 1,416 runs at an average of 36.39. Also in terms of strike rate and fifties, Sky has notched 10 of them at a rate of 136.44. Hence, in the company of giants yet again Suryakumar Yadav will be expected to become a scoring stalwart.

Over the years, apart from being a healthy batting lineup, MI is also now the best team when it comes to defending. So to pick a clear name in terms of fetching most wickets is a perplexing task, but with the presence of Jasprit Bumrah, there’s hardly any saying left. Last year Bumrah in his 15 games had taken 27 wickets that too at a menial economy of around 7. In the entire IPL 2020, he was widely used by skipper Rohit Sharma in all phases of the game. Therefore, for MI to have another invincible season, Bumrah will again be anticipated to be at his best.

Taking a look at players who can shine with bat or ball in IPL 2021.

IPL 2021: Predicting team-wise top run-scorer and wicket-taker

With the IPL 2021 now due in 2 days, the battle of elites is now once again all set to produce T20 cricket’s biggest extravaganza.