The dust has settled on IPL 2024, with the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) emerging victorious after a thrilling season. But beyond the IPL title, individual brilliance shone across all franchises. From veterans rediscovering their touch to young guns making a mark, this IPL served up a plethora of standout performances. Let’s delve into each team and identify the player who truly owned the spotlight for them, becoming a vital cog in their IPL 2024 journey.
| Team | Best Player in IPL 2024 |
|---|---|
| KKR | Sunil Narine |
| SRH | Abhishek Sharma |
| RR | Riyan Parag |
| RCB | Virat Kohli |
| CSK | Ruturaj Gaikwad |
| DC | Kuldeep Yadav |
| LSG | Nicholas Pooran |
| GT | Sai Sudharsan |
| PBKS | Shashank Singh |
| MI | Jasprit Bumrah |
Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) – Sunil Narine
Sunil Narine’s IPL 2024 was a superb show of reinvention. Promoted to the opening slot, the mystery spinner turned batting maestro, amassing a staggering 488 runs at an exceptional strike rate of 180.74. Narine’s all-around brilliance continued with the ball, picking up 17 wickets at a miserly economy of 6.69. His impactful performances throughout the season rightfully earned him the prestigious IPL 2024 MVP award.
Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) – Abhishek Sharma
Fresh off a breakout domestic season, Abhishek Sharma continued his impressive form in IPL 2024. The left-handed opener emerged as a vital cog in the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) batting line-up, providing stability and firepower at the top. He finished the season with a healthy 484 runs at a truly outstanding strike rate of 204.21. His 42 sixes were also the most by any Indian in any IPL season.
Abhishek’s maturity to rotate the strike efficiently made him a nightmare for opposition bowlers. His batting exploits, coupled with with a wily bowling performance solidified his position as a future star for SRH. Following this, it won’t be a surprise if the Punjab-born lad dons the Indian colors later this year.
Rajasthan Royals (RR) – Riyan Parag
After series of disappointments, Riyan Parag finally blossomed into the consistent performer his potential always promised. Often criticized for inconsistency in previous seasons, Parag found his niche role as a middle-middle order aggressor in IPL 2024. He carved a reputation for his fearless boundary-hitter, amassing a total of 573 runs at a blistering strike rate of 149.21. Parag’s ability to find the boundary in crunch situations and attack particular bowlers proved invaluable for the Royals as they dominated the first half of the tournament.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) – Virat Kohli
Who else but the modern-day legend, Virat Kohli himself! His story at IPL 2024 was nothing but another episode of him silencing his doubters. After a few ordinary outings (as far as his strike rates were concerned), the talismanic batsman roared back to form, reminded everyone why he’s called “King Kohli.” Leading by example, Kohli anchored RCB’s batting throughout the season.
He finished the tournament as the leading run-scorer (Orange Cap winner) with a phenomenal 741 runs at a remarkable average of 61.75. His hunger for runs was evident with a strike rate exceeding 154.69, including one century and five fifties. Kohli’s experience and leadership were crucial in guiding RCB to the playoffs, proving that the fire within him still burns brightly.
Chennai Super Kings (CSK) – Ruturaj Gaikwad
Ruturaj Gaikwad stepped into the captaincy role for the Chennai Super Kings in IPL 2024 with the weight of expectation on his young shoulders. Despite CSK not making the playoffs, Gaikwad shouldered the responsibility admirably, leading from the front with his batting prowess. He continued his rich vein of form, amassing a total of 583 runs throughout the season, the second-highest in the IPL (only behind Virat Kohli). His captaincy might not have yielded the ultimate prize, but his batting consistency was undeniable. His leadership qualities will undoubtedly be refined with experience, but IPL 2024 showcased his potential as a future CSK stalwart.
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Delhi Capitals (DC) – Kuldeep Yadav
Ever since his move to the Delhi Capitals in 2022, Kuldeep Yadav has experienced a resurgence in form. IPL 2024 continued this upward trajectory, solidifying his position as DC’s spin-bowling spearhead. His trademark left-arm wrist spin proved to be a nightmare for batsmen throughout the tournament. Kuldeep finished the season, claiming a 16 wickets in just 14 matches. His impressive bowling average of 23.25 and an exceptional economy rate of just 8.65 speak volumes about his control and effectiveness. Kuldeep’s guile would hold high importance at T20 World Cup 2024 as well.
Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) – Nicholas Pooran
Lucknow’s INR 16 crore signing, Nicholas Pooran was their lone batting spark apart from an odd knock by Marcus Stoinis. Living up to his reputation as a big-hitter, the left-handed batsman emerged as LSG’s most valuable player and the tournament’s leading run scorer with a staggering 499 runs at an incredible average of 62.38. His explosive batting style kept opposition bowlers on their toes, with a strike rate exceeding a menacing 178.2.
Pooran’s ability to clear the ropes with ease was evident with a whopping 36 sixes throughout the season. While he only managed three fifties, his consistency in scoring quick runs at the death overs was instrumental in propelling LSG’s batting line-up.
Gujarat Titans (GT) – Sai Sudharsan
For GT, IPL 2024 was a season of mixed fortunes. However, one player who consistently shone throughout the tournament was Sai Sudharsan. Fresh off a dream IPL 2023 season where his exceptional knock in the finals propelled him to national recognition and even an international debut, Sudharsan carried his form into 2024.
Despite GT’s struggles as a team, Sudharsan emerged as their batting mainstay, amassing a total of 527runs in 14 matches. His ability to anchor the innings and play sensible cricket was crucial, finishing the season with a commendable average of 47.90. His exceptional century against CSK showcased how lethal he could be. Sudharsan’s talent and temperament were a bright spot for the Titans in an otherwise underwhelming season, showcasing his potential as a future star for both franchise and country.
Punjab Kings (PBKS) – Shashank Singh
Shashank Singh’s IPL 2024 story is a whirlwind of confusion and redemption. Caught in a bidding mix-up at the auction, the uncapped batsman ended up with the Punjab Kings. Despite the initial chaos, Shashank used the spotlight as motivation. His clean hitting and ability to finish matches were crucial for PBKS, highlighted by his record-breaking 68* against Gujarat Titans. Despite playing regularly at lower-middle-order, Shashank ended up as PBKS’ highest run-scorer with 354 at a rate of 164.65.
Mumbai Indians (MI) – Jasprit Bumrah
While MI endured a forgettable IPL 2024 campaign, finishing rock bottom of the points table, Jasprit Bumrah stood tall amidst the wreckage. He emerged as a standout performer, not just for MI but for the entire tournament. Despite bowling for a team struggling to take wickets consistently, Bumrah shouldered the bowling attack with exceptional skill. He finished the season as the third-highest wicket-taker, claiming a remarkable 20 wickets in just 13 matches. His remarkable economy rate of 6.48 was the best among bowlers who took at least two scalps.
This was certainly Bumrah’s best ever season in the cash-rich league as he just didn’t take wickets but danced batsmen on his tunes. Had he not been with MI, things would’ve looked even worse for the five-time champions.
Editors pick
