Forty-one matches have been completed in the IPL 2024 season so far. Indeed, this edition of club cricket, played on the most lavish scale in India, has again captured the attention of fans worldwide.
There have been moments of brilliance as well as moments of disappointment for the players, and fans. A few have risen to the occasion and proved their worth, while some have struggled to meet expectations. The trend is true for both the Indian and overseas players.
Here is a look at the hits and misses.
Two Hits:
Travis Head (Rs 6.8 Crore)
Aussie Travis Head has generated significant buzz. Among all overseas batters playing in the IPL 2024, he has made maximum impact. At a staggering strike-rate of 212 and an average of 46.43 in seven matches, he has been standout. Head’s adeptness at confronting the bowlers and having a clear mindset has made him formidable.
Once struggling to secure a spot in an IPL team, Travis Head is now in beast mode. His transformation has been remarkable. As a member of the ICC World Test Championship squad and the guiding force behind Australia’s recent ICC World Cup triumph, Head’s achievements are enviable. In IPL 2024, he has also developed a strong partnership with Abhishek Sharma and formed a lethal combination.
Matheesha Pathirana (Rs 20 Lakh)
CSK’s bowling coach Dwayne Bravo, along with some fans, have dubbed Pathirana as “Baby Malinga.” He has lived up to the nickname. Lasith Malinga was renowned as one of the finest bowlers in T20 cricket. It seems, the compatriot is following in his footsteps. Pathirana has taken 11 wickets in just five matches, boasting an impressive economy rate of 7.60. What’s remarkable, he bowls the challenging overs for his team – two in the middle and two at the death, when batters are ready to go hammer and tong. The young slinger has managed to do better than his competitors.
Honourable mentions also go to Jos Buttler, Sunil Narine, Heinrich Klaasen, Nicholas Pooran, Tristan Stubbs, and Gerald Coetzee. They have performed very well.
Two Flops:
Daryl Mitchell (Rs 14 crore)
Daryl Mitchell’s journey with CSK hasn’t started quite well. Four months ago, he was acquired by the Chennai Super Kings at the auction for a whopping Rs 14 crore. However, in the seven innings Mitchell has played so far, he has been shuffled in four different batting positions, Mitchell has managed to hit only eight fours and five sixes without delivering any substantial performances. Despite his significant price tag, Mitchell, who showcased adaptability and versatility during the 50-over ICC World Cup in 2023, seemed the perfect fit in CSK’s middle-order. However, his stint in IPL 2024 has been a struggle.
Glenn Maxwell (Rs 11 crore)
Glenn Maxwell’s performances this season bears a striking resemblance to his struggles in IPL 2020, where he managed just 108 runs in 11 innings. Interestingly, he found himself primarily utilised as a spinner during that time, making a decent impact with the ball. Much like 2020, this year, too, his bowling returns have been more promising, with four wickets in six matches.
This season has been peculiar for the Big Show, who previously showcased dominance with the bat for the franchise over the past three years. In 2021, 2022, and 2023, he amassed 513, 301, and 400 runs respectively. However, this year, his batting form has been subdued. In the first six matches, he could only muster 32 runs, the highest being 28. Over the next five matches, he contributed just four runs. Frustrated by lack of form, Maxwell approached the management and opted to sit out of their home game against SRH. He cited the need for a break.
Other overseas stars who have failed miserably so far this season include Jonny Bairstow, Rachin Ravindra, Liam Livingstone, Spencer Johnson, and Reece Topley.