- Mar 4, 2024
- Feb 13, 2024
The Indian Premier League (IPL) is a gladiator’s arena, where batsmen unleash power and finesse in a relentless pursuit of runs. Every season throws up new heroes and reaffirms the dominance of established stars. As IPL 2024 gears up, speculation simmers regarding the batsmen on who will strike fear into bowlers’ hearts. While predicting the future is a fool’s errand, let’s analyze the current form, past exploits, and unique skillsets of five batsmen poised to light up the 2024 season:
Rinku Singh is poised for a glittering season in IPL 2024, his impressive development over the past year fueling expectations. After striking fear into bowlers with his powerful hitting in IPL 2023, he earned a well-deserved call-up to the Indian team. He’s capitalized on those opportunities, showcasing his talent and gaining valuable experience at the highest level. That exposure would have undoubtedly boosted his confidence and equipped him with the skills to handle pressure situations. Bowlers, already wary of his finishing prowess, will have added respect for his ability to anchor an innings, as evidenced by his recent knock against Afghanistan. His versatility makes him a true batting threat, who is capable of adapting to any match situation. Rinku Singh’s trajectory suggests he’s primed to be a force to be reckoned with in IPL 2024. His talent, confidence, and adaptability could make him a nightmare for opposition bowling attacks.
Jos Buttler won the Orange Cap in IPL 2022 but didn’t quite set the stage on fire in IPL 2023. But the thing is that big players like Buttler cannot be silenced for too long. After the struggles of 2023, he will be desperate to bring out his best in the upcoming season. His elegant yet brutal hitting across formats makes him a nightmare for bowlers. His ability to handle pressure and adapt to situations makes him a valuable asset for Rajasthan Royals. In recent times, he has shown signs of his dangerous form so, expect him to continue his pyrotechnics and dismantle bowling attacks with his array of strokes.
Over the last couple of years, Nicholas Pooran has finally come of age after years of criticism about him wasting his enormous talent and potential. A left-handed powerhouse who can single-handedly change the course of a game, Pooran’s clean-hitting ability was on full show during the last season and there is no doubt that his peak is yet to arrive. He has been in good form in the various T20 leagues that he has played recently, peppering boundaries with his brutal power. His unorthodox shots and audacious attitude keep bowlers on their toes. Look out for him to unleash his big-hitting prowess in 2024 and propel his side, Lucknow Super Giants.
Much like Rinku Singh, the young Yashasvi Jaiswal also had a great progression over the last 10 months or so, having cemented his place in India’s T20 and Test lineups. The left-handed opener has impressed with his ball-striking ability, composure, technique, and ability to play long innings. Jaiswal had a great run in IPL 2023 as he made sure that the Royals didn’t feel the pinch of Buttler’s poor form. Now that he has had experience at the highest level, expect him to cause even more carnage in IPL 2024.
Suryakumar Yadav defies boundaries with his 360° repertoire. His innovative strokeplay and ability to score at a rapid pace make him a unique talent. He is currently the number 1 T20 International batter in the world and recently won the Apex Cricket Council’s award for Player of the Year. In the process, he became the first player to win the award twice and he achieved the feat in consecutive years to make it all the more special and memorable. Look out for him to continue his reign of innovation and dismantle bowling attacks with his unorthodox strokeplay in 2024.