IPL Records: Orange Cap - Top 10 batsmen in the 2018 IPL Season

#4 Ambati Rayudu

Will Rayudu be the rock in the middle order for CSK?

A rock in the middle order for the national setup in the ODI format, Rayudu enjoys a similar role in the CSK setup and one that has brought with it a lot of success.

CSK's top run-getter in IPL 2018, Rayudu notched up 602 runs in 16 matches at an average of 43.00 and a strike rate of 149.75- by far his best ever IPL season.

Asked to open the batting alongside Shane Watson, Rayudu started off well, with 110 runs from the first three games and slammed his first fifty, a 37-ball 79 in CSK's win against SRH. Rayudu continued his fine show as he smashed 82 off just 53 balls in pursuit of RCB's target of 206.

Rayudu contributed with 46 (v MI) and 41 (v Delhi) and then underwent a slight slump in form before he found his lost bearings and notched up his maiden century, a 62-ball 100 against the Sunrisers Hyderabad.

A half-century against KXIP took Rayudu's half-century tally to three from the season as the right-hander finished with 602 runs and more importantly, was a key architect in CSK's title win.