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Only the knockout phase remains, featuring ordinary season log-toppers Chennai Super Kings, Mumbai Indians, Rajasthan Royals and the new Sunrisers Hyderabad franchise for whom the Phalaborwa Express plays.
Generally speaking, it was one of the more subdued IPLs by the South African contingent, with few truly “wow-factor” individual performances by players from our shores.
The exception was Miller’s memorable 101 not out off just 38 balls for Kings XI Punjab against Royal Challengers Bangalore recently, one of four centuries in the glitzy tournament thus far.
Left-hander Miller, who will represent the Proteas next month at the ICC Champions Trophy 50-overs tournament in the United Kingdom, ended league play in 11th spot for most runs scored: 418 at a healthy average of 59.71 and strike rate of 164.
No South African cracked the top 10, with eternal West Indian crowd-pleaser Chris Gayle topping the overall pile with a remarkable 708 runs at 59.00 for Royal Challengers Bangalore and record-breaking best individual batting effort of 175 not out against Pune Warriors.
AB de Villiers was 16th among the leading run-scorers (360 at 36.00 for Bangalore), whilst veteran Jacques Kallis of under-performing Kolkata Knight Riders, last year’s champions, snuck 20th spot (311 at 20.73).
Kallis did at least stick to his admirable habit of contributing significantly with the ball whenever things are not going so swimmingly at the crease – the 37-year-old was 13th on the top wicket-takers’ list with 16 at an average of 24.62 and decent economy rate of under seven and a half.
Only Steyn, of the SA crew, got into the top 10: he was ninth after the league season with 18 scalps at 20.05 and has been a model of consistency for the newcomers.
His economy rate of 5.65 was the second best among all bowlers in the top 10 in the wickets column.
The top wicket-taker thus far has been the Royals’ Tasmanian seamer James Faulkner with 26 at 13.96.
*Follow our chief writer on Twitter: @RobHouwing
