From IPL Archives: Top run-scorer of each side during 2009 season

#8 Ravindra Jadeja (Rajasthan Royals)

Ravindra Jadeja (extreme right) lead the scoring charts for RR in 2009

Key Statistics: Matches 13, Innings 13, Not Outs 2, Runs 295, Highest 42, Centuries 0, Fifties 0, Average 26.82, Strike Rate 110.90.

Well, very few would have thought that Ravindra Jadeja, of all players, would top the Royals' run-charts. Interestingly, Jadeja would go on to become one of India's prime bowling all-rounders where he continues to perform, even today. But that was definitely not where he started, turning out as the defending champions' best man with the bat while playing out a disastrous season and finishing only at 6th place.

Jadeja was a lower-middle order batting option in a lineup that had a few stars like Shane Watson and Yusuf Pathan, and his purpose at best was to provide solidarity to the final few overs of every innings. Yet, he often did more than what was expected of him. Though he did not make more than 42 runs in any innings, he still averaged close to 27.

Some accomplished batsmen like Gautam Gambhir, Ross Taylor, Virat Kohli, Brendon McCullum, Rahul Dravid, Andrew Symonds, Sanath Jayasuriya, and Mahela Jayawardene scored way lesser than Jadeja, and that shows how good he was despite not really having the "qualifications" for a top batsman