5 great players who can win the IPL for the 1st time this season

The Indian Premier League (IPL) has undoubtedly become one of the biggest cricketing events in the world since its inception back in 2008. Even though when it first started people felt it was more of an entertainment, the IPL trophy has gained its recognition and prestige in the last few years. Players now want to lift the trophy and add it to their list of accolades.Even greats like Sachin Tendulkar, Jacques Kallis and Ricky Ponting, who have achieved all there is to be achieved in their cricketing career, were ecstatic when they lifted the trophy for their respective franchises. With the eighth edition about to start then, here are 5 great players who are yet to win the IPL and have a chance to do so this season.Note: The list is in no particular order.

#1 Chris Gayle

The heartthrob of Royal Challengers Bangalore, Chris Gayle has been one of the most consistent performers for his team. The 175 he scored against Pune Warriors two seasons ago is still considered one of the best innings in the history of the IPL. He was the player of the tournament in the 2011 edition of the IPL after scoring more than 600 runs that season. Although he did not have greatest of seasons last year, you can never write him off.

He is approaching the wrong side of 30s and with some fitness issues bothering him of late, the Jamaican may have reached the latter stages of his career. Surely, he would like to win the silverware at least once before he quits the IPL.

Matches	Runs	HS	Average	SR	100s	50s
68	2708	175*	47.50	154.56	4	16

#2 Yuvraj Singh

The man has won it all for his country, be it the World Cup or the World T20 or even the Champions Trophy (2002). However, the one trophy that has eluded Yuvraj Singh is the IPL. One of the best hitters of the cricket ball in the modern game, Yuvraj will be remembered for many great things that he has done while playing for India.

But sadly when it comes to the IPL, he is mostly remembered for the hefty price tag of Rs 14 crore that the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) paid for him last year. He didn’t perform too badly during the season, but the record amount was always weighing heavily on his shoulders and he wasn’t able to do himself justice.

The closest Yuvraj has ever come to lifting the trophy was in the first season with Kings XI Punjab, when under his leadership they went till the semi-finals before bowing out. This season, the southpaw has found a new home in Delhi Daredevils and this will be the fourth team he will be playing for. Whether Delhi Daredevils will be lucky for Yuvraj, only time can tell.

Matches	Runs	HS	Average	SR	100s	50s
84	1851	83	26.44	131.65	0	8

#3 AB de Villiers

If there is one batsman who is loved by every fan across the world, then it has got to be AB de Villiers. Probably the best batsman in all formats of the modern game, de Villiers has unfortunately always fallen short when it comes to winning tournaments, whether it is while playing for his country or in the IPL.

De Villiers has played for Delhi Daredevils in the past and now represents RCB, but has never managed to lift the trophy with either team. The closest he reached was in 2011 with RCB when they lost to a rampant Chennai Super Kings (CSK) outfit in the final.

Matches	Runs	HS	Average	SR	100s	50s
88	2056	105	34.85	138.73	1	13

#4 Virender Sehwag

Like his former Indian teammate Yuvraj Singh, Virender Sehwag has won it all for India. Many felt last season was his best chance of lifting the IPL trophy at last, but the Kings XI Punjab fell short at the final hurdle.

Before joining Kings XI Punjab, he played for Delhi Daredevils for six seasons but was never able to lift the trophy despite coming close on a few occasions. Every Sehwag fan would hope to see not only some great innings from the Nawab of Najafgarh this season but also see him lift the coveted trophy.

Matches	Runs	HS	Average	SR	100s	50s
96	2629	122	28.89	157.33	2	16

#5 Virat Kohli

Virat Kohli is still only 26 years old, but he has won almost everything there is to be won at the international level with the IPL title, apart from the World T20, being the only one eluding him. Although originally from Delhi, he has been with RCB since the first season.

Even though RCB boast of some of the best T20 players in the world, they have not managed to reach even the playoffs in the last three seasons. Nevertheless, here’s hoping that they can go the full distance this time around.

Matches	Runs	HS	Average	SR	100s	50s
107	2632	99	30.96	123.86	0	16