A total of seven cricketers from New Zealand will take part in the upcoming season of the Indian Premier League. Some are likely to be a regular feature of their respective team’s playing eleven, whereas others are likely to fulfil the ‘horses for courses’ approach. Here is a brief description about each one of them:
1. Brendon McCullum (Royal Challengers Bangalore) – The former captain of New Zealand is all set to feature in his fifth IPL team after being part of Kolkata Knight Riders, Kochi Tuskers Kerala, Chennai Super Kings and Gujarat Lions in the year gone by.
The 36-year old right-hand swashbuckling batsmen has it in him to change the fortune of a T20 game all by his own. In the 103 IPL matches that he has played, he has scored 2,754 runs at an average of 28.10 and a strike rate of 131.08. In overall 324 T20s that he has played, he has amassed 8,897 runs at an average of 30.89 and a strike rate of 137.95.
2. Kane Williamson (SunRisers Hyderabad) – Kane Williamson, the current captain of New Zealand across all the three formats, will form a crucial part of the SunRisers’ middle order for he has the ability to provide solidity to their batting order.
He had a decent last season with the SunRisers, scoring 256 runs in seven matches at an average of 42.66 and a strike rate of 151.47, including two influencing half-centuries. In 136 T20s that he has played so far, he has scored 3,073 runs at an average of 26.72 and a strike rate of 118.01.
3. Colin Munro (Delhi Daredevils) – Delhi Daredevils acquiring the services of Colin Munro for INR 1.9 crore was nothing less than a steal. The southpaw from New Zealand recently became the first batsman to score three T20I centuries. Munro might have less IPL experience than his counterparts, but given the form which he is in, he is likely to create havoc in the upcoming edition.
In 45 T20Is, he has scored 1,173 runs at an average of 33.51 and a strike rate of 163.59. In 161 T20s, he has amassed 3,712 runs at an average of 30.17 and a strike rate of 148.89.
4. Trent Boult (Delhi Daredevils) – Munro will be accompanied in the Daredevils camp by his Kiwi teammate and pace spearhead in Trent Boult.
Just like Munro, Boult is also an inexperienced IPL campaigner, but on his day, his quota of four overs can be difficult for the opposition batsmen to score runs off. Generally a new-ball bowler, Boult can also restrict the run-flow towards the end of the innings. In the 74 T20s that he has played, he has clinched 80 wickets at an average of 27.31, an economy rate of 8.30 and a strike rate of 19.7.
5. Tim Southee (Royal Challengers Bangalore) – Tim Southee, Boult’s new-ball partner for New Zealand, will join his former national captain in McCullum in the Royal Challengers’ dug-out. Having made limited appearances for Rajasthan Royals, Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians in the past, Southee would be wanting to play a major role for his new IPL franchise.
In 153 T20s, he has picked up 172 wickets at an average of 26.12, an economy rate of 8.27 and a strike rate of 18.9.
6. Colin de Grandhomme (Royal Challengers Bangalore) – Rising up the ranks for New Zealand in the last year and a half, Colin de Grandhomme has become has an integral part of their playing eleven across formats.
A Test batting strike rate of 98.98, an ODI strike rate of 108.10 and a T20I strike rate of 151.40 and a T20 strike rate of 167.80 are clear indications of the fact that he can use the long handle at will.
His ability to bowl in the middle overs makes him all the more important in T20s. Having debuted in the IPL for Kolkata Knight Riders last year, he would want to improve his IPL numbers this year round.
