IPL 2021: 5 players who could score their maiden hundred during the UAE leg

#3 Ishan Kishan

Ishan Kishan scored 516 runs in IPL 2020 in the UAE. Pic: IPLT20.COM

Like Shaw, Mumbai Indians’ Ishan Kishan also has a highest individual score of 99 in the IPL. He played that amazing knock, which came off 58 balls and featured nine sixes, during the tied game against RCB last season.

Kishan had a brilliant run in IPL 2020, amassing 516 runs at a strike rate of 145.76. His impressive performances saw him make his T20O international debut against England earlier this year. He made an instant impact, cracking a solid half-century.

Ishan Kishan's latest pictures in the Nets batting practice sessions On Day 1 in UAE Ahead of the IPL 2021.#IPL2021 pic.twitter.com/LuRaRaifSp

— Mr.Cricket (@MrCricketR) August 21, 2021

The talented left-hander struggled for fluency in the first half of IPL 2021, managing only 73 runs in five matches. However, Kishan is now back at the venue where he flourished last season. He has looked in fine touch during the nets. A floater in the batting line-up, the 23-year-old is capable of crossing three figures if he gets his eye in.

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#4 Ruturaj Gaikwad

CSK’s Ruturaj Gaikwad hits a shot during IPL 2021. Pic: IPLT20.COM

It has been all or nothing for CSK opener Ruturaj Gaikwad in his short IPL career so far. He began his IPL journey with three low scores last season, and was subsequently dropped. However, Gaikwad came back brilliantly towards the end of the season, notching up three consecutive fifties. His bright performances gave CSK something to cheer about amid their most disappointing IPL campaign in history.

It was a similar story for the 24-year-old in the first half of IPL 2021. He struggled to get going in the first few games. But once he found his rhythm, Gaikwad was a different batter altogether. He smashed 64 off 42 against KKR and 75 off just 44 against SRH.

WATCH - Gaikwad's clean strike for sixStraight down the ground for a maximum, as clean as it gets. Marvellous shot from young Ruturaj Gaikwad.📹📹https://t.co/lj69kG0cR8 #Dream11IPL

— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) October 29, 2020

Gaikwad ended the first half of IPL 2021 with 196 runs in seven games at a strike rate of nearly 130. With the kind of form he is in, the CSK opener will be confident of making an impression in the UAE again. If he gets going, Gaikwad has the strokes to score at a swift pace and even crack a hundred.

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#5 Nitish Rana

KKR’s Nitish Rana plays an attacking stroke during IPL 2021. Pic: IPLT20.COM

KKR batter Nitish Rana has been on the IPL scene for a while now, and is a reasonably experienced hand in domestic cricket. He is a versatile batsman as well, who can either open the innings or bat in the middle order. The left-hander had a good start to IPL 2021 with scores of 80 and 57 against SRH and MI, respectively, before his form petered away.

The 27-year-old had a reasonably good IPL 2020 campaign in the UAE last year. He scored 352 runs in 14 games at a strike rate touching 140. Once he gets a start, Rana usually goes on to make a decent score. He had a highest score of 87 last season and 85 not out the year before that.

Back to back half-centuries for @NitishRana_27 in #VIVOIPL 2021 👏👏Live - https://t.co/CIOV3NuFXY #KKRvMI #VIVOIPL pic.twitter.com/m9DpRtsSr6

— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) April 13, 2021

If Rana applies himself again, he should get big scores in the UAE. The experience of having tasted success at the same venue last season should boost his confidence. He has the strokes in the book to score at a brisk pace. If all goes well, by the time IPL 2021 ends, Rana’s highest score might be in three figures.