The 13th edition of the Indian Premier League is currently underway as viewers across the globe see the greatest T20 league unfold in the UAE. Before the start of the season, IPL faced a massive setback not only due to COVID-19 reasons but also because of a few crucial players deciding to give the season a miss due to personal reasons. Among them, Suresh Raina, a player who finds himself on the second spot in the list for most runs in IPL history, was one of the key names missing the IPL 2020.
ALSO READ Latest Updated list of Players with Most runs in IPL 2020
As the tournament progresses even further, the pitches in UAE will begin to slow down where the run-scoring will be difficult. The main objective for all the teams will be to make the best use of the powerplay overs and then consolidate in the middle. This might be the best way going forward on surfaces which might slow down.
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Here's a look at 5 players who might score most runs to claim the Orange Cap in IPL 2020:
1. KL Rahul (Kings XI Punjab)
KL Rahul has had a dream run in the white-ball format for a period of over 12 months now. The wicket-keeper batsman has been in stupendous form ever since IPL 2019. Rahul scored most runs for KXIP in 2019 and ended the season as the second-highest run-getter in the tournament after David Warner. However, this time around, Rahul is captaining the Kings XI outfit in IPL 2020.
The 28-year old is currently the highest run-getter in this IPL with 302 runs from five games at an SR of 141. While KXIP might not be doing so well in the tournament, Rahul hasn't allowed the team's performance to affect his game as an opening batsman. In the upcoming few matches, the Bangalore-lad would hope that he can continue to score more runs and that too in the team's winning cause.
2. Faf Du Plessis (Chennai Super Kings)
Faf Du Plessis has been one of the shining stars in an otherwise disappointing season for Dhoni-led Chennai Super Kings. In most matches so far, du Plessis has been seeing waging a lost battle with the bat for CSK. The former South African skipper has scored most runs for CSK in IPL 2020 but has failed to achieve any support from the other end.
However, solace came in the form of his recent stand of 181 with Shane Watson against Kings XI Punjab in a 10-wicket win for the Yellow Army. Going forward, CSK would hope for an all-round team effort in the batting department especially after their unexpected loss against KKR in Abu Dhabi. In the six IPL matches in 2020, Faf has amassed 299 runs at a strike rate of 150 including the highest score of 87*.
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3. Devdutt Padikkal (Royal Challengers Bangalore)
Devdutt Padikkal has drawn praise from all corners for his sheer ability to score runs at one of the highest levels. Making his IPL debut in 2020, Padikkal has shown no signs of nerves at such a big stage and has scored most runs for RCB in IPL 2020 so far. More than runs, it is his eye-pleasing batting style that has grabbed all the eyeballs while batting at the top of the order for the Bangalore-based franchise.
The 20-year old has lived up to his reputation as a T20 stroke maker. Carrying his form from the domestic T20s for Karnataka, Paddikal has done the bulk of scoring for Royal Challengers Bangalore in the IPL so far. Despite a couple of brief stays at the crease, in five matches, he has scored 178 runs including 3 fifty-plus scores at a decent SR of 131. In the forthcoming games, the franchise would hope that the youngster can continue to provide flourishing starts for RCB at the opening phase.
4. Shreyas Iyer (Delhi Capitals)
The Delhi Capitals has probably looked the strongest team in IPL 2020 so far. Having won four out of their five matches, the Shreyas Iyer-led side is really the team to beat in IPL 2020. A lot of credit must go towards Delhi's formidable batting line-up which has shown consistency is possibly each match this season. And leading from the front, skipper Shreyas Iyer has been at the heart of run-scoring for DC in IPL 2020.
In five matches, Iyer has scored 181 runs at an average of 45.25 with a blistering strike rate nearing 150. Iyer has played sensibly giving strength to Delhi's middle-order in crunch situations. His highest score of 88* against KKR was easily a hitting masterclass involving proper cricketing shots. If Iyer can continue his run-scoring form in the upcoming matches in Dream11 IPL, the Delhi captain would stake a claim for the Orange Cap towards the end of IPL 2020.
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5. Mayank Agarwal (Kings XI Punjab)
Mayank Agarwal is another player who can be regarded as a front-runner in the race to grab the IPL Orange Cap in 2020. Just like his opening partner, Agarwal has had a great start to the tournament. Playing his first game in the season, Agarwal nearly took KXIP to a miraculous win from a losing position against Delhi Capitals. Agarwal scored 89 runs off just 60 balls before Punjab lost the match in the Super Over.
In the game against Rajasthan Royals, Agarwal continued his rich vein of form and registered his maiden IPL century at Sharjah. In the five IPL matches so far, Agarwal is third on the list of Most runs in IPL 2020. With 272 runs at an average of 54.40 scored at a strike rate of 162, Mayank has presented a great case for claiming the Orange Cap at the end of the IPL season 2020.
(Stats Updated till KKR vs CSK match, Abu Dhabi)
