Last week was very disappointing for the fans as IPL 2021 was suspended indefinitely after numerous cases were found in four teams. Overseas players have already left India, while Indian players are back at home.Â
Obviously, IPL 2021 has come to an end quite early but if we look at the positive side then it has entertained the fans during testing times of the second wave of the pandemic in the country. Overseas players had a big role to play in the competitive nature of the tournament. As we look back at the first half of IPL 2021, here are the top five players overseas players during the first half of the season.
Moeen AliÂ
Moeen Ali was bought by Chennai Super Kings for a whopping Rs 7 crores during IPL 2021 auction. The English all-rounder played six games this season and has scored 206 runs. With the ball he managed to contribute with five wickets, giving CSK much-needed balance in both departments.
In the first game against Delhi Capitals, he scored 36 runs in 24 balls. Meanwhile, PBKS suffered an onslaught from Ali as he scored 46 runs in 31 balls and also took a wicket. Ali’s best performance came against Rajasthan Royals as he took three wickets at the expense of seven runs and also scored 26 runs 20 balls. Ali scored the first half-century against Mumbai Indians before the season was halted. The Englishman had hit the ground running for CSK in a crucial number position of number three in the batting department and took key wickets in middle overs.
Kieron PollardÂ
Kieron Pollard has always been an important player for Mumbai Indians. He has been one of the best all-rounders in T-20 format. He had a poor start this season but he made up for it by playing an aggressive knock against SRH where he was also declared the man of the match.
Pollard’s best performance of the season came against CSK where he scored 87 runs in 34 balls where he smashed six fours and eight maximums. With the ball, Pollard took two wickets and conceded only 12 runs. Even though Mumbai Indians had an indifferent IPL 2021, Pollard continued his good form in this format. He came into the tournament after smashing six sixes in an over during a T-20 game against Sri Lanka. His fireworks continued in IPL 2021, making him one of the best overseas players in the tournament.Â
Chris MorrisÂ
Chris Morris became the most expensive player in the history after Rajasthan Royals paid Rs 16.25 crores during IPL 2021 auction. The South African has played seven matches for Royals in which he has scored 48 runs and he has clinched 14 wickets till now. Though he has a strike rate of 154.83, his batting has not been great this season but he managed to come up with a match-winning knock against Delhi Capitals to help Rajasthan to grab victory from the jaws of defeat.
Morris was just three wickets behind purple cap holder Harshal Patel. He took two wickets in the opening fixture against Punjab Kings, but he did concede a lot of runs. His best performance came against KKR where he took four wickets and conceded 24 runs in 4 overs and was adjourned the man of the match. He also took two wickets against MI and three against SRH.
Glenn Maxwell
Chennai Super Kings and Royal Challengers Bangalore indulged in a bidding war at the auction for Glenn Maxwell, but ultimately RCB bagged him for a whopping Rs 14.25 crores. The Australian batsman repaid RCB’s faith by hitting the ground runnings straightaway in IPL 2021. He’s provided much-needed stability and firepower in the middle order of RCB.
The Australian started off the season with a crucial knock of 39 runs in 28 balls while chasing a tricky target against Mumbai Indians. He managed to score 59 runs in 41 balls against SRH and win the player of the match. His best innings came against Kolkata Knight Riders as he rescued his team by scoring 78 runs in 49 balls with nine fours and three sixes. Maxwell scored 223 runs in IPL 2021 at an impressive strike rate of 144.80. The Australian batsman managed to give the much-needed impetus to RCB’s batting unit.
Faf du PlessisÂ
Faf du Plessis has been Mr. Consistent for Chennai Super Kings in IPL 2021. He has proved to be an asset for the team as CSK managed to bounce back from a torrid IPL 2020 by moving into the top four in IPL 2021 before the season was suspended. The South African batsman has scored 320 runs in seven matches with a strike rate of 145.45.
In the first game against Delhi Capitals, he got dismissed for a duck but since then he’s been on fire as he scored 95 runs in 60 balls against KKR. Du Plessis managed to score half-centuries against RCB, Mumbai Indians, and Sunrisers Hyderabad. His partnership with Ruturaj Gaikwad has been one of the best things about Chennai this season. The South African batsman is third in the list of top run-scorers in IPL 2021