Since its inception in 2008, the Indian Premier League (<a href="https://www.crictracker.com/t20/ipl-indian-premier-league/">IPL</a>) has been a fantastic platform for the players to showcase their skills and earn a name for themselves. The 2022 season proved to be another breakthrough year for the talented Indian players, who shone bright with their talent. This edition saw the mega auction taking place, and the players had to cement their place in the XI by striking performances.

Some of the players did well to prove their worth to the franchises and put a strong statement for making their case for the national team selections as well. On the other hand, few of them continued their fine run in the tournament to help their respective teams to do well and progress to the knock-outs stages. This list covers most of the players producing impressive individual performances and leaving an optimum impact on the team&#8217;s result.

Best Indian XI after the completion of the league stage:

<img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-646291" src="https://crictracker-admin-panel-08032022.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/media/attachments/KL-Rahul-fifty-vs-LSG.jpg" alt="KL Rahul fifty vs LSG" width="640" height="400" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-646291" class="wp-caption-text">KL Rahul fifty vs LSG. (Photo Source: IPL/BCCI)</figcaption>

<a href="https://www.crictracker.com/i-should-probably-get-paid-more-for-games-like-this-kl-rahul-after-lsgs-thrilling-win-over-kkr/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">KL Rahul </a>was picked by the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) ahead of the 2022 season, due to his consistent contributions in the last few editions of the tournament. Throughout his career, his ability to pierce the gaps in the powerplay overs has been the key for him in playing big knocks. He started this season with a duck against Gujarat Titans (GT) but followed up with knocks of 40 and 68 in the next two games.

Rahul&#8217;s second duck of this season came against Rajasthan Royals (RR), where his timber was broken by Trent Boult. However, he again made a strong comeback by hitting an unbeaten century against Mumbai Indians (MI), and hit another ton against them a couple of games later. After a knock of 77 against Delhi Capitals (DC), his form dipped, and could not provide good enough starts to the team.

With the playoffs spot in danger, Rahul delivered a knock of 68* off 51 balls and stitched an unbeaten partnership of 210 runs with Quinton de Kock, which helped the team to win the game and seal a playoff spot. After the completion of the league stage, the LSG captain scored 537 runs at an average of 48.82 and was the team&#8217;s leading run-scorer as well.

<img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-642205" src="https://crictracker-admin-panel-08032022.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/media/attachments/Shubman-Gill2.jpg" alt="Shubman Gill" width="640" height="400" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-642205" class="wp-caption-text">Shubman Gill. (Photo Source: IPL/BCCI)</figcaption>

After doing well for Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) as a middle-order batter and an opener, the newest franchise, Gujarat Titans availed the services of <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/ipl-2022-animated-virat-kohli-warns-shubman-gill-in-wwe-star-undertakers-style/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Shubman Gill</a> ahead of the 2022 auction. In his first appearance against Giants, Gill made way to the pavilion for a duck. In the next two games, he delivered sensational knocks of 84 and 96 against the Capitals and Punjab Kings respectively, with both coming in a winning cause.

The next three games saw him being quiet with the contribution of 13, 0, and 7. Thereafter he came up with hefty contributions of 22 and 31, which helped him to keep the momentum intact. The knock against MI and LSG, saw him scoring 52 and 63 respectively to finalize the playoff spot for the team.

His last two knocks have fetched him a total of 19 runs. However, he has been a key support to the Titans team in providing a stable start to the team. In 14 matches, the 22-year-old has garnered 403 runs at an average of 31.

<img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-620252" src="https://crictracker-admin-panel-08032022.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/media/attachments/Tilak-Varma-2.jpg" alt="Tilak Varma" width="640" height="400" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-620252" class="wp-caption-text">Tilak Varma. (Photo Source: IPL/BCCI)</figcaption>

<a href="https://www.crictracker.com/tilak-varma-has-maintained-terrific-consistency-under-pressure-deep-dasgupta/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Tilak Varma</a> came with a reputation as a talented cricketer, who had done well for the Hyderabad team in domestic cricket. To everyone&#8217;s surprise, Varma got an opportunity in the team&#8217;s first league match against the Capitals. He returned with a confident knock of 22 off 15 balls and further provided the momentum to the team. The next knock saw him striking 61 off 33 balls against a quality attack of Rajasthan and returned as the top run-scorer for the team.

He returned with another impressive knock of 38 off 27 balls against KKR, which helped the team to post a respectable total on the board. The southpaw&#8217;s next six knocks were read as 36, 26, 51*, 38, 35, and 21. In all these matches, he stitched a crucial partnership with his various teammates and tried well to keep the team in the hunt for winning the games.

Varma scored 63 runs in his last three league matches and finished the tournament well. With 397 runs in 14 games, he was the second-highest run-scorer for the team and would look to take the confidence into the domestic cricket and the next IPL season.

<img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-645779" src="https://crictracker-admin-panel-08032022.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/media/attachments/Rahul-Tripathi-vs-MI.jpg" alt="Rahul Tripathi vs MI" width="640" height="400" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-645779" class="wp-caption-text">Rahul Tripathi vs MI. (Photo Source: IPL/BCCI)</figcaption>

One of the most hardworking players in the current pool of players, <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/hes-a-dangerous-player-should-be-in-the-mix-ravi-shastri-backs-rahul-tripathi-for-national-selection/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Rahul Tripathi</a> has been performing well in the IPL for the last four-five years. He had earned recognition after doing well for Rising Pune Super Giant in the 2017 season. Tripathi earned a contract with KKR in the subsequent edition. He did alright at every batting position in his playing career for Knight Riders and was snapped by SRH for IPL 2022.

His first knock in the season was a duck against Rajasthan Royals, but he followed it up with quickfire 44 and 39* against LSG and CSK respectively. Then a knock of 71 against KKR saw him pummeling every bowler of the opposition. Then in his next notable knock of 58 against RCB, Tripathi was the best batter for the team.

In the penultimate game, the 31-year-old delivered his best knock of 76 against Mumbai this season, where he was terrific to clear the boundaries at ease. In 14 matches, Tripathi scored 413 runs at a strike rate of 158.23.

<img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-619388" src="https://crictracker-admin-panel-08032022.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/media/attachments/Deepak-Hooda.jpg" alt="Deepak Hooda" width="640" height="400" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-619388" class="wp-caption-text">Deepak Hooda. (Photo Source: IPL/BCCI)</figcaption>

Ahead of this season, Deepak Hooda had earned the tag of a finisher and did not get enough chances to spend time at the crease. But his performances in domestic cricket and a few matches for the Indian team, LSG used him at the number three and four positions. He started this season with a terrific knock of 55 to help the team in posting a respectable total on the board.

The contributions of 20s and 30s were coming consistently for Hooda, wherein he stitched crucial knocks to seal the games for the team. After a lean patch in the middle, he returned with a half-century against the Capitals. He then followed with knocks of 41, 27, and 59, with the latter as his top score of this season.

So far, <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/lsg-should-continue-with-deepak-hooda-at-number-three-position-former-indian-spinner-pragyan-ojha-advice-to-the-new-entrants/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Hooda</a> has already scored four fifties, which is more than his total number of half-centuries before this season. In 14 matches, the 27-year-old has 406 runs at a strike rate of 133.55. With his composure and ball-striking capabilities, Hooda will be the key player for the franchise in the coming editions.

<img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-632912" src="https://crictracker-admin-panel-08032022.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/media/attachments/Hardik-Pandya2.jpg" alt="Hardik Pandya" width="640" height="400" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-632912" class="wp-caption-text">Hardik Pandya. (Photo Source: IPL/BCCI)</figcaption>

After doing exceeding well as an all-rounder for MI, <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/glenn-maxwell-made-us-feel-like-we-were-10-runs-short-hardik-pandya/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Hardik Pandya</a> could not retain his place in the side due to injury concerns. After being picked up by the Titans as a leader of the pack, there was much doubt about his ability to bowl enough for the team. But, he came back strongly in both departments of the game to seal the number one spot in the points table.

The first three games saw him contributing around 30 runs each and picking a couple of wickets, which helped the team to pick up momentum. The next two knocks saw the best of Pandya in this season, wherein he returned with knocks of 50* and 87*, and was the tournament&#8217;s top batter as well. However, the niggle caused him trouble in the following game, but he returned and played another terrific knock of 67.

The second half went average for the GT captain, but he finished with a terrific knock of 62* against RCB. In 13 matches, he garnered 413 runs at a strike rate of 131.52, with four fifties. With improved fitness, he has surely provided a balance to the team.

<img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-622644" src="https://crictracker-admin-panel-08032022.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/media/attachments/Jitesh-Sharma.jpg" alt="Jitesh Sharma" width="640" height="400" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-622644" class="wp-caption-text">Jitesh Sharma (Photo Source: IPL/BCCI)</figcaption>

The wicket-keeper batter Jitesh Sharma was bought by <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/t20/ipl-indian-premier-league/punjab-kings/">PBKS</a>, as he emerged as the batter with the most sixes in the 2021/22 edition of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. His reputation to hit long balls coincided with the mindset of the PBKS team as well. After some bad innings of Shahrukh Khan, he was brought in the XI against CSK and hit 26 off 17 balls, comprising three sixes.

He continued his fine momentum to score 23 off 11 balls against the Titans. In the mid-half of the season, he had cemented his place in the team with his fine flourish in the final few overs. His knock of 38* off 18 balls against Rajasthan enhanced his confidence in the back-end of the innings.

The 28-year-old cricketer returned as the top scorer of the team with 44 off 34 balls against the Capitals, which was the highlight of the season, wherein he finely steered the team and accelerated well. In 12 matches, Sharma garnered 234 runs at a strike rate of 163.63.

<img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-626153" src="https://crictracker-admin-panel-08032022.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/media/attachments/Kuldeep-Yadav-2.jpg" alt="Kuldeep Yadav" width="640" height="400" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-626153" class="wp-caption-text">Kuldeep Yadav. (Photo Source: IPL/BCCI)</figcaption>

The left-arm spinner, <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/this-is-a-do-or-die-situation-for-us-kuldeep-yadav-ahead-of-crucial-pbks-vs-dc-clash/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Kuldeep Yadav</a> was out of form and had injury concerns for the last two years. He made only limited appearances for KKR in the previous editions and could return with only a single wicket in five appearances of IPL 2020. In the 2022 season, Yadav was picked by DC due to his track record in the T20 format.

He returned in a dominating manner to earn the &#8220;Player of the Match&#8221; award in the team&#8217;s first four victories in the 2022 season. Until the first half of the season, he was the contender for the Purple Cap as well. However, his form dropped and leaked runs at 10 per over.

In the must-win game against the Kings, he returned with figures of 2/14 to help the team in winning the game. Overall, it was a breakthrough season for him, with 21 wickets in 14 games at an economy of 8.43. This performance might also help him to be in the frame, for the T20 World Cup 2022.

<img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-630664" src="https://crictracker-admin-panel-08032022.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/media/attachments/Yuzvendra-Chahal-2.jpg" alt="Yuzvendra Chahal" width="640" height="400" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-630664" class="wp-caption-text">Yuzvendra Chahal. (Photo Source: IPL/BCCI)</figcaption>

Surprisingly, Chahal was not retained by RCB ahead of the 2022 auction. Rajasthan Royals bid heavily on him and finally included him in their ranks for the ongoing season. In this debut game for RR against SRH, he finished with figures of 3/22 and followed it up with 2/26 against MI.

In his third appearance against his former team RCB, <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/he-is-like-a-brother-yuzvendra-chahal-denies-competing-with-wanindu-hasaranga-for-purple-cap/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Chahal</a> picked up two wickets and gave away only 15 runs in four overs. His terrific performance of 4/41 came against LSG, which helped the team to win by a minor margin of three runs.

In the game against KKR, Chahal finished with the best figures of 5/40 and secured an important victory for the team by seven runs. After the completion of the league stage, he is the Purple ap holder with 26 wickets in 14 matches at an economy of 7.67.

<img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-635054" src="https://crictracker-admin-panel-08032022.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/media/attachments/Umran-Malik-3.jpg" alt="Umran Malik" width="640" height="400" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-635054" class="wp-caption-text">Umran Malik. (Photo Source: IPL/BCCI)</figcaption>

The tearaway pacer, <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/india-announce-18-member-squad-for-south-africa-t20is-umran-malik-receives-maiden-call-up/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Umran Malik</a> was one of the three retained players by the Sunrisers team for the 2022 season. In his initial games, Malik took an odd wicket but was consistently giving runs at an economy of over 10. But the team management trusted his abilities and gave him an extended run in the XI.

In the game against PBKS, Malik finished with 4/28 and took three wickets in a single over. This performance brought him enough confidence in his abilities. Then, a week later, the 22-year-old took five wickets and displayed his innate pace and accuracy, which bamboozled the timber of the batters.

His figures in the recent three games were read as 1/24, 3/23, and 3/33. This shows that he has improved his performance over the due course. With 22 wickets in 14 matches, Malik received his maiden national call-up for the South Africa T20I series.

<img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-632035" src="https://crictracker-admin-panel-08032022.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/media/attachments/Mukesh-Choudhary-1.jpg" alt="Mukesh Choudhary" width="640" height="400" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-632035" class="wp-caption-text">Mukesh Choudhary (Photo Source: Twitter)</figcaption>

The left-arm pacer, <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/mukesh-choudhary-simarjeet-singh-will-play-for-india-soon-deep-dasgupta/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Mukesh Choudhary</a> was picked in the playing XI due to his left-arm action and to fill the boots of injured Deepak Chahar in the powerplay overs. His performances in the initial fixture, were not praiseworthy as he was hammered for close to 30-40 runs in his full quota of overs.

In the game against the Titans, he improved his performance to return with figures of 1/18. In the very next game against MI, he earned a &#8220;Player of the Match&#8221; award for his figures of 3/19, which helped the team to win the game.

His figures of 4/46 against Sunrisers was his best performance, where he used the new ball well to trouble the batters. In his debut season, Choudhary returned with a total of 16 wickets at an economy of 9.31 and made his name in the cricket circle.

Since its inception in 2008, the Indian Premier League (<a href="https://www.crictracker.com/t20/ipl-indian-premier-league/">IPL</a>) has been a fantastic platform for the players to showcase their skills and earn a name for themselves. The 2022 season proved to be another breakthrough year for the talented Indian players, who shone bright with their talent. This edition saw the mega auction taking place, and the players had to cement their place in the XI by striking performances.
Some of the players did well to prove their worth to the franchises and put a strong statement for making their case for the national team selections as well. On the other hand, few of them continued their fine run in the tournament to help their respective teams to do well and progress to the knock-outs stages. This list covers most of the players producing impressive individual performances and leaving an optimum impact on the team&#8217;s result.
<h3>Best Indian XI after the completion of the league stage:</h3>
<h3>1. KL Rahul</h3>
<figure id="attachment_646291" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-646291" style="width: 640px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-646291" src="https://crictracker-admin-panel-08032022.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/media/attachments/KL-Rahul-fifty-vs-LSG.jpg" alt="KL Rahul fifty vs LSG" width="640" height="400" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-646291" class="wp-caption-text">KL Rahul fifty vs LSG. (Photo Source: IPL/BCCI)</figcaption></figure>
<a href="https://www.crictracker.com/i-should-probably-get-paid-more-for-games-like-this-kl-rahul-after-lsgs-thrilling-win-over-kkr/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">KL Rahul </a>was picked by the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) ahead of the 2022 season, due to his consistent contributions in the last few editions of the tournament. Throughout his career, his ability to pierce the gaps in the powerplay overs has been the key for him in playing big knocks. He started this season with a duck against Gujarat Titans (GT) but followed up with knocks of 40 and 68 in the next two games.
Rahul&#8217;s second duck of this season came against Rajasthan Royals (RR), where his timber was broken by Trent Boult. However, he again made a strong comeback by hitting an unbeaten century against Mumbai Indians (MI), and hit another ton against them a couple of games later. After a knock of 77 against Delhi Capitals (DC), his form dipped, and could not provide good enough starts to the team.
With the playoffs spot in danger, Rahul delivered a knock of 68* off 51 balls and stitched an unbeaten partnership of 210 runs with Quinton de Kock, which helped the team to win the game and seal a playoff spot. After the completion of the league stage, the LSG captain scored 537 runs at an average of 48.82 and was the team&#8217;s leading run-scorer as well.

<h3>2. Shubman Gill</h3>
<figure id="attachment_642205" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-642205" style="width: 640px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-642205" src="https://crictracker-admin-panel-08032022.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/media/attachments/Shubman-Gill2.jpg" alt="Shubman Gill" width="640" height="400" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-642205" class="wp-caption-text">Shubman Gill. (Photo Source: IPL/BCCI)</figcaption></figure>
After doing well for Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) as a middle-order batter and an opener, the newest franchise, Gujarat Titans availed the services of <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/ipl-2022-animated-virat-kohli-warns-shubman-gill-in-wwe-star-undertakers-style/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Shubman Gill</a> ahead of the 2022 auction. In his first appearance against Giants, Gill made way to the pavilion for a duck. In the next two games, he delivered sensational knocks of 84 and 96 against the Capitals and Punjab Kings respectively, with both coming in a winning cause.
The next three games saw him being quiet with the contribution of 13, 0, and 7. Thereafter he came up with hefty contributions of 22 and 31, which helped him to keep the momentum intact. The knock against MI and LSG, saw him scoring 52 and 63 respectively to finalize the playoff spot for the team.
His last two knocks have fetched him a total of 19 runs. However, he has been a key support to the Titans team in providing a stable start to the team. In 14 matches, the 22-year-old has garnered 403 runs at an average of 31.

<h3>3. Tilak Varma</h3>
<figure id="attachment_620252" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-620252" style="width: 640px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-620252" src="https://crictracker-admin-panel-08032022.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/media/attachments/Tilak-Varma-2.jpg" alt="Tilak Varma" width="640" height="400" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-620252" class="wp-caption-text">Tilak Varma. (Photo Source: IPL/BCCI)</figcaption></figure>
<a href="https://www.crictracker.com/tilak-varma-has-maintained-terrific-consistency-under-pressure-deep-dasgupta/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Tilak Varma</a> came with a reputation as a talented cricketer, who had done well for the Hyderabad team in domestic cricket. To everyone&#8217;s surprise, Varma got an opportunity in the team&#8217;s first league match against the Capitals. He returned with a confident knock of 22 off 15 balls and further provided the momentum to the team. The next knock saw him striking 61 off 33 balls against a quality attack of Rajasthan and returned as the top run-scorer for the team.
He returned with another impressive knock of 38 off 27 balls against KKR, which helped the team to post a respectable total on the board. The southpaw&#8217;s next six knocks were read as 36, 26, 51*, 38, 35, and 21. In all these matches, he stitched a crucial partnership with his various teammates and tried well to keep the team in the hunt for winning the games.
Varma scored 63 runs in his last three league matches and finished the tournament well. With 397 runs in 14 games, he was the second-highest run-scorer for the team and would look to take the confidence into the domestic cricket and the next IPL season.

<h3>4. Rahul Tripathi</h3>
<figure id="attachment_645779" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-645779" style="width: 640px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-645779" src="https://crictracker-admin-panel-08032022.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/media/attachments/Rahul-Tripathi-vs-MI.jpg" alt="Rahul Tripathi vs MI" width="640" height="400" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-645779" class="wp-caption-text">Rahul Tripathi vs MI. (Photo Source: IPL/BCCI)</figcaption></figure>
One of the most hardworking players in the current pool of players, <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/hes-a-dangerous-player-should-be-in-the-mix-ravi-shastri-backs-rahul-tripathi-for-national-selection/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Rahul Tripathi</a> has been performing well in the IPL for the last four-five years. He had earned recognition after doing well for Rising Pune Super Giant in the 2017 season. Tripathi earned a contract with KKR in the subsequent edition. He did alright at every batting position in his playing career for Knight Riders and was snapped by SRH for IPL 2022.
His first knock in the season was a duck against Rajasthan Royals, but he followed it up with quickfire 44 and 39* against LSG and CSK respectively. Then a knock of 71 against KKR saw him pummeling every bowler of the opposition. Then in his next notable knock of 58 against RCB, Tripathi was the best batter for the team.
In the penultimate game, the 31-year-old delivered his best knock of 76 against Mumbai this season, where he was terrific to clear the boundaries at ease. In 14 matches, Tripathi scored 413 runs at a strike rate of 158.23.

<h3>5. Deepak Hooda</h3>
<figure id="attachment_619388" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-619388" style="width: 640px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-619388" src="https://crictracker-admin-panel-08032022.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/media/attachments/Deepak-Hooda.jpg" alt="Deepak Hooda" width="640" height="400" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-619388" class="wp-caption-text">Deepak Hooda. (Photo Source: IPL/BCCI)</figcaption></figure>
Ahead of this season, Deepak Hooda had earned the tag of a finisher and did not get enough chances to spend time at the crease. But his performances in domestic cricket and a few matches for the Indian team, LSG used him at the number three and four positions. He started this season with a terrific knock of 55 to help the team in posting a respectable total on the board.
The contributions of 20s and 30s were coming consistently for Hooda, wherein he stitched crucial knocks to seal the games for the team. After a lean patch in the middle, he returned with a half-century against the Capitals. He then followed with knocks of 41, 27, and 59, with the latter as his top score of this season.
So far, <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/lsg-should-continue-with-deepak-hooda-at-number-three-position-former-indian-spinner-pragyan-ojha-advice-to-the-new-entrants/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Hooda</a> has already scored four fifties, which is more than his total number of half-centuries before this season. In 14 matches, the 27-year-old has 406 runs at a strike rate of 133.55. With his composure and ball-striking capabilities, Hooda will be the key player for the franchise in the coming editions.

<h3>6. Hardik Pandya</h3>
<figure id="attachment_632912" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-632912" style="width: 640px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-632912" src="https://crictracker-admin-panel-08032022.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/media/attachments/Hardik-Pandya2.jpg" alt="Hardik Pandya" width="640" height="400" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-632912" class="wp-caption-text">Hardik Pandya. (Photo Source: IPL/BCCI)</figcaption></figure>
After doing exceeding well as an all-rounder for MI, <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/glenn-maxwell-made-us-feel-like-we-were-10-runs-short-hardik-pandya/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Hardik Pandya</a> could not retain his place in the side due to injury concerns. After being picked up by the Titans as a leader of the pack, there was much doubt about his ability to bowl enough for the team. But, he came back strongly in both departments of the game to seal the number one spot in the points table.
The first three games saw him contributing around 30 runs each and picking a couple of wickets, which helped the team to pick up momentum. The next two knocks saw the best of Pandya in this season, wherein he returned with knocks of 50* and 87*, and was the tournament&#8217;s top batter as well. However, the niggle caused him trouble in the following game, but he returned and played another terrific knock of 67.
The second half went average for the GT captain, but he finished with a terrific knock of 62* against RCB. In 13 matches, he garnered 413 runs at a strike rate of 131.52, with four fifties. With improved fitness, he has surely provided a balance to the team.

<h3>7. Jitesh Sharma (wk)</h3>
<figure id="attachment_622644" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-622644" style="width: 640px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-622644" src="https://crictracker-admin-panel-08032022.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/media/attachments/Jitesh-Sharma.jpg" alt="Jitesh Sharma" width="640" height="400" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-622644" class="wp-caption-text">Jitesh Sharma (Photo Source: IPL/BCCI)</figcaption></figure>
The wicket-keeper batter Jitesh Sharma was bought by <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/t20/ipl-indian-premier-league/punjab-kings/">PBKS</a>, as he emerged as the batter with the most sixes in the 2021/22 edition of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. His reputation to hit long balls coincided with the mindset of the PBKS team as well. After some bad innings of Shahrukh Khan, he was brought in the XI against CSK and hit 26 off 17 balls, comprising three sixes.
He continued his fine momentum to score 23 off 11 balls against the Titans. In the mid-half of the season, he had cemented his place in the team with his fine flourish in the final few overs. His knock of 38* off 18 balls against Rajasthan enhanced his confidence in the back-end of the innings.
The 28-year-old cricketer returned as the top scorer of the team with 44 off 34 balls against the Capitals, which was the highlight of the season, wherein he finely steered the team and accelerated well. In 12 matches, Sharma garnered 234 runs at a strike rate of 163.63.

<h3>8. Kuldeep Yadav</h3>
<figure id="attachment_626153" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-626153" style="width: 640px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-626153" src="https://crictracker-admin-panel-08032022.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/media/attachments/Kuldeep-Yadav-2.jpg" alt="Kuldeep Yadav" width="640" height="400" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-626153" class="wp-caption-text">Kuldeep Yadav. (Photo Source: IPL/BCCI)</figcaption></figure>
The left-arm spinner, <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/this-is-a-do-or-die-situation-for-us-kuldeep-yadav-ahead-of-crucial-pbks-vs-dc-clash/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Kuldeep Yadav</a> was out of form and had injury concerns for the last two years. He made only limited appearances for KKR in the previous editions and could return with only a single wicket in five appearances of IPL 2020. In the 2022 season, Yadav was picked by DC due to his track record in the T20 format.
He returned in a dominating manner to earn the &#8220;Player of the Match&#8221; award in the team&#8217;s first four victories in the 2022 season. Until the first half of the season, he was the contender for the Purple Cap as well. However, his form dropped and leaked runs at 10 per over.
In the must-win game against the Kings, he returned with figures of 2/14 to help the team in winning the game. Overall, it was a breakthrough season for him, with 21 wickets in 14 games at an economy of 8.43. This performance might also help him to be in the frame, for the T20 World Cup 2022.

<h3>9. Yuzvendra Chahal</h3>
<figure id="attachment_630664" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-630664" style="width: 640px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-630664" src="https://crictracker-admin-panel-08032022.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/media/attachments/Yuzvendra-Chahal-2.jpg" alt="Yuzvendra Chahal" width="640" height="400" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-630664" class="wp-caption-text">Yuzvendra Chahal. (Photo Source: IPL/BCCI)</figcaption></figure>
Surprisingly, Chahal was not retained by RCB ahead of the 2022 auction. Rajasthan Royals bid heavily on him and finally included him in their ranks for the ongoing season. In this debut game for RR against SRH, he finished with figures of 3/22 and followed it up with 2/26 against MI.
In his third appearance against his former team RCB, <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/he-is-like-a-brother-yuzvendra-chahal-denies-competing-with-wanindu-hasaranga-for-purple-cap/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Chahal</a> picked up two wickets and gave away only 15 runs in four overs. His terrific performance of 4/41 came against LSG, which helped the team to win by a minor margin of three runs.
In the game against KKR, Chahal finished with the best figures of 5/40 and secured an important victory for the team by seven runs. After the completion of the league stage, he is the Purple ap holder with 26 wickets in 14 matches at an economy of 7.67.

<h3>10. Umran Malik</h3>
<figure id="attachment_635054" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-635054" style="width: 640px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-635054" src="https://crictracker-admin-panel-08032022.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/media/attachments/Umran-Malik-3.jpg" alt="Umran Malik" width="640" height="400" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-635054" class="wp-caption-text">Umran Malik. (Photo Source: IPL/BCCI)</figcaption></figure>
The tearaway pacer, <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/india-announce-18-member-squad-for-south-africa-t20is-umran-malik-receives-maiden-call-up/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Umran Malik</a> was one of the three retained players by the Sunrisers team for the 2022 season. In his initial games, Malik took an odd wicket but was consistently giving runs at an economy of over 10. But the team management trusted his abilities and gave him an extended run in the XI.
In the game against PBKS, Malik finished with 4/28 and took three wickets in a single over. This performance brought him enough confidence in his abilities. Then, a week later, the 22-year-old took five wickets and displayed his innate pace and accuracy, which bamboozled the timber of the batters.
His figures in the recent three games were read as 1/24, 3/23, and 3/33. This shows that he has improved his performance over the due course. With 22 wickets in 14 matches, Malik received his maiden national call-up for the South Africa T20I series.

<h3>11. Mukesh Choudhary</h3>
<figure id="attachment_632035" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-632035" style="width: 640px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-632035" src="https://crictracker-admin-panel-08032022.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/media/attachments/Mukesh-Choudhary-1.jpg" alt="Mukesh Choudhary" width="640" height="400" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-632035" class="wp-caption-text">Mukesh Choudhary (Photo Source: Twitter)</figcaption></figure>
The left-arm pacer, <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/mukesh-choudhary-simarjeet-singh-will-play-for-india-soon-deep-dasgupta/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Mukesh Choudhary</a> was picked in the playing XI due to his left-arm action and to fill the boots of injured Deepak Chahar in the powerplay overs. His performances in the initial fixture, were not praiseworthy as he was hammered for close to 30-40 runs in his full quota of overs.
In the game against the Titans, he improved his performance to return with figures of 1/18. In the very next game against MI, he earned a &#8220;Player of the Match&#8221; award for his figures of 3/19, which helped the team to win the game.
His figures of 4/46 against Sunrisers was his best performance, where he used the new ball well to trouble the batters. In his debut season, Choudhary returned with a total of 16 wickets at an economy of 9.31 and made his name in the cricket circle.

Some of the players earned a national call-up as well.

IPL 2022: Best Indian XI after the conclusion of league stage

Some of the players did well to prove their worth to the franchises in the Indian Premier League 2022 season.