Indian superstar Virat Kohli may have had an underwhelming IPL by his own lofty standards but there have been plenty of other outstanding performers lighting up the tournament with their superb batting displays.
Here we name the Top Five from the preliminary rounds, only two of who are still in the tournament.
Inn: 14
Runs: 684
Top score: 128*
Avg: 52.61
Strike-Rate: 173.60
Pant was absolutely superb for Delhi and if some of his team mates had performed at a similar level the Daredevils season would not be over. To score the most runs at a SR of 173.60 is an extraordinary achievement but he also hit the most sixes (37), most fours (68) and highest score of IPL11 (128*).
Eighth fifty for Kane Williamson in this season. Consistency = Williamson. #RCBvSRH #IPL2018 pic.twitter.com/7gq1Fen7tx
— Cricbuzz (@cricbuzz) May 17, 2018
Inn: 14
Runs: 661
Top score: 84
Avg: 60.09
Strike-Rate: 143.07
The most consistent batsman in the tournament with eight 50s in 14 innings and an average over 60, the NZ skipper was not the biggest hitter, only 26 sixes, but he played some crucial innings for the Sunrisers on their march to the semis. An elegant stroke maker he never gives his wicket away cheaply.
Out of 14 innings played by each team in #IPL2018, here are the most frequent max-contributors:
— CricAlgorithmics (@cricalgorithmic) May 21, 2018
8 innings----#LokeshRahul and #RishabhPant
7 innings----#ABdeVilliers
6 innings----#ChrisLynn, #JosButtler, #KaneWilliamson, and #SuryakumarYadav
Inn: 14
Runs: 659
Top score: 95*
Avg: 54.91
Strike-Rate: 158.41
The tall right hander got better as the tournament went on with a superb run of four fifties in the final six games including two nineties and an eighty. He will be desperately disappointed to get out so cheaply in the Kings XI last match but a rampant Ngidi was almost unplayable.
100* Off 62 Balls. What A Match Winning Century By Ambati Rayudu Against The Best Bowling Lineup Of #SRH. Congrats On Maiden IPL Century. 💪🙏💛#CSKvsSRH #CSKvSRH #WhistlePodu pic.twitter.com/xXG1VhAdJf
— Sir Ravindra Jadeja (@SirJadejaaaa) May 13, 2018
Inn: 14
Runs: 586
Top score: 100*
Avg: 45.07
Strike-Rate: 153.40
When you looked at the roll call of stars in the Super Kings line up you would not have expected the veteran to finish their top scorer but he did that and more. One of just four century makers in IPL11 he also scored three fifties and whacked the second most sixes (33).
Joss Buttler Game Changer Inning @josbuttler @rajasthanroyals #MIvRR #VIVOIPL pic.twitter.com/uhNHmO7Rz3
— #VIVOIPL #IPL2018 (@Cricket_IPL2018) May 14, 2018
Inn: 13
Runs: 548
Top score: 95*
Avg: 54.80
Strike-Rate: 155.24
The Englishman has headed home to prepare for the Tests against Pakistan and the Royals will miss his abundant run-making in the playoffs. Buttler got better as the tournament went on with two nineties and an eighty in his last four innings – and performed well under pressure.