Heinrich Klaasen leads South African performances in the IPL with 224 runs, while other Proteas like Ryan Rickelton, Aiden Markram (pictured), Tristan Stubbs, Lungi Ngidi, Nandre Burger, and Kagiso Rabada face challenges in maintaining consistent form. Picture: NOAH SEELAM / AFP
Image: NOAH SEELAM / AFP
While Heinrich Klaasen has shone so far in the Indian Premier League (IPL), there has been little more to cheer about from a South African perspective so far in the competition after five matches of the premier T20 franchise competition in world cricket.
Klaasen has piled on the runs with 224 so far at an average of 44 and a strike rate of 157.
That sees him second on the run-scoring charts, just four runs less than the legendary Virat Kohli.
The next best SA batsman though in terms of runs scored, is Ryan Rickelton down in 20th place. Rickelton, who shone in the SA20 earlier this year, has compiled 135 in four knocks for an average of 33 but at an impressive strike rate of 168.
Proteas skipper Aiden Markram is in 28th place after an inconsistent start to his campaign with 120 runs in five matches at an average of 24 and strike rate of 151.
Tristan Stubbs has made 109 runs in four games, for an impressive average of 54 and a strike rate of 136. Twice Stubbs has ended unbeaten (39 and 3), while he already has a top score of 60, which he blasted for Delhi Capitals against Chennai Super Kings over the weekend.
On the bowling front, Lungi Ngidi has fared well with five wickets in four games for an average of 25 at a cost of 8.04 runs per over, to find himself 12th on the wicket-taking charts. Burger is currently going at 8.68 runs per over.
Tall left-arm quick Nandre Burger is 14th with the same number of wickets with an average of 27.
Meanwhile, Kagiso Rabada has four wickets in as many games with a less than flattering average of 40 and economy of 10.8 per over.