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The Real Heroes of IPL-4

IPL-4 has been an intensely fought affair so far with big names turning it on. But, the real heroes have been some lesser-known names who have grabbed the limelight at the slightest opportunity. We at MSN pick out the real heroes of IPL-4 so far.

Thanks to the IPL, domestic cricketers have the opportunity to take on the best in the world on even footing. Like Swapnil Asnodkar and Manpreet Gony in earlier IPL editions, there are names that have exploited the platform provided by the IPL to show what they can do when presented with a bat or a ball. If you are wondering what 41-year old Shane Warne is doing in this list, well he's one player who knows how to spin an old tale with his performances.

Real Hero No.1 - Iqbal is having a ball!


Left-handed Iqbal Abdulla has proved to be a handful for the batsmen in the IPL. The 21-year old has taken 12 wickets in the competition so far, which includes two three-wicket hauls against the Deccan Chargers and the Delhi Daredevils. Abdulla has a smooth round-arm action powered by an easy run-up that he employs to send down deliveries from wide of the bowling crease. Prized victims in the competition include Adam Gilchrist, Irfan Pathan and J.P Duminy.

Matches	Wickets	Economy	Best
11	13	6.10	3/24

Real Hero No.2 - Ambati Rayudu

25-year old Ambati Rayudu couldn't have asked for a better compliment when Sachin Tendulkar gave away his Man-of-the-Match cheque to the youngster, saying that it would be bad if he didn't share it with him. The little master's magnanimity is an ode to Rayudu, for the batsman has looked to be in great touch throughout the tournament. Harbhajan Singh too is impressed with the youngster saying that he has the potential to fill into the shoes of Rahul Dravid or VVS Laxman.

Matches	Runs	Average	Highest	100s	50s
10	349	38.77	63*	0	4

Real Hero No.3 - Rahul Sharma

24-year old Rahul Sharma is having a great time with the Pune Warriors, bowling with an economy rate that is clearly the best in the tournament. Not surprising given that he turned up with figures of 4-0-7-2 against the Mumbai Indians in the tournament. The tall leg-spinner is not a big turner of the ball, but his top-spinners are potent, with the bounce generated proving to be the bane of many batsmen. His move from the Deccan Chargers is proving to be a big blessing.

Matches	Wickets	Economy	Best
10	13	5.16	3/13

Real Hero No.4 - Be very wary of Manoj Tiwary!

The 25-year old has shown that he can get very aggressive when he has a cricket bat in his hands. Tiwary uses the crease to his advantage, shuffling and creating room for himself to hit the ball into the stands. With 12 sixes against his name already in the tournament, Tiwary is doing his reputation no harm. A few years ago, when he was first picked to play for India, he never really got his opportunities to showcase his talent. But, here he is!
The lad is well-armed and has already bagged a Man-of-the-Match award for his knock of 61* against the Delhi Daredevils. In the context of the India cap, young Tiwary has played just one ODI against Australia in 2008, where he was yorked by his KKR teammate Brett Lee. The right-hander should be looking to sustain his performances, so that his name becomes impossible to ignore.

Matches	Runs	Average	Highest	100s	50s
11	277	69.25	61*	0	1

Real Hero No.5 - S Badrinath: Hungry for runs

Subramaniam Badrinath may not have the muscle and the aggression that is usually expected of a T20 batsman, but he makes up for it with a keen eye and a hungry appetite for runs. The 30-year old has a solid technique and knows how to exploit the gaps in the field. A busy operator at the batting crease, Badrinath uses his feet well against the spinners, and doesn't hesitate to use the aerial route if the opportunity is right. His best of 71* came off just 48 balls in Chennai Super Kings' 8-run loss to the Mumbai Indians.

Matches	Runs	Average	Highest	100s	50s
11	294	98.00	71*	0	4

Real Hero No.6 - Paul Valthaty: Impressive opening act

Paul Valthaty's 63-ball 120* blew everyone's minds away with the sheer audacity of strokes that made Chennai's formidable total of 188/4 look miniscule. The 27-year old followed it up with an all-round effort against the Deccan Chargers that fetched him his second Man-of-the-Match award. Valthaty first took 4/29 and then scored 75 off 47 balls to take his side to victory. If he manages to sustain his efforts, a berth in Mumbai's Ranji side shouldn't be far away.

Matches	Runs	Average	Highest	100s	50s
9	345	43.12	120*	1	1

Real Hero No.7 - Sunny days for Sunny Sohal!

If you had watched Sunny Sohal bat against the Chennai Super Kings, you would have felt that that the man was married to lady luck herself. The 23-year old's knock of 56 off 30 balls was peppered with boundaries created with strokes that were bizarre yet effective. But that can happen in T20, where improvisation is the order of the day. As an opening batsman, Sohal has the license to go after the bowling. He has done well for himself, and is third on the list of the highest run-getters for the Deccan Chargers.

Matches	Runs	Average	Highest	100s	50s
8	195	27.85	62	0	2

Real Hero No.8 - Venugopal Rao: The right choice

29-year old Venugopal Rao was bought for a cool $ 700,000 by the Delhi Daredevils from the Deccan Chargers at the IPL auction in January. The right-hander's drives are a treat to watch, while the flick and the sweep shots are immaculately planned and executed, keeping in mind the gaps in the field. Rao doesn't shy away from going for the big shots, like he showed in the knock against Rajasthan where he struck 4 sixes.

Matches	Runs	Average	Highest	100s	50s
11	290	29.00	60	0	1

Real Hero No.9 - Ravindra Jadeja

Left-handed Ravindra Jadeja's highest score in the competition came against the Mumbai Indians where he scored 47, a knock that included three fours and three sixes. The 22-year old who was brought from the Rajasthan Royals for $ 950,000, is putting his best foot forward for his new franchise with both bat and ball. Jadeja has done well coming in at no.6, accelerating despite having very little to play with.


Batting Statistics

Matches	Runs	Average	Highest	100s	50s
11	247	35.28	47	0	0

Bowling Statistics

Matches	Wickets	Economy	Best
11	6	7.26	2/25

Real Hero No. 10 - Shane Warne


Shane Warne might have announced his retirement from the IPL, but that does not mean that he is going to sit back and relax. The 41-year old spinning legend is leading from the front, and has taken 11 wickets in the competition. With girlfriend Liz Hurley cheering his every move, Warne has even more reason to smile. The retirement effectively means that Shane Warne will not be playing competitive cricket anymore. He will be missed.

Matches	Wickets	Economy	Best
10	11	6.17	3/16

Real Hero No.11 - Alfonso Thomas: No doubting him

34-year old Alfonso Thomas may have just one T20 international to his name, but he has loads of experience under his belt playing domestic cricket in his native South Africa and England. Despite the Pune Warriors' indifferent form in their debut season, Thomas has done well to pick up 10 wickets in the competition.

Matches	Wickets	Economy	Best
9	10	7.78	2/23

Real Hero No.12 - Ashok Menaria

The story goes that when Shane Warne first met Ashok Menaria, he jokingly asked him if his name was Menaria or Malaria! He was promptly given the nickname Doxy-after the anti-malarial drug, and has shown enough bite in his game. Menaria, who captained India in the under-19 World Cup, is a clean hitter of the cricket ball. Though a big knock is due, he has shown a lot of promise. Having said so, his best moments have come with the ball as he took the wicket of Sachin Tendulkar.

Matches	Runs	Average	Highest	100s	50s
10	141	20.14	34	0	0

Real Hero No.13 - Vinay Kumar

27-year old Vinay Kumar lends a lot of solidity to the Kochi Tuskers bowling attack. Previously a Royal Challenger, the medium pacer has dismissed Sachin Tendulkar in those colours. Picked up for $ 475,000 by the Tuskers, Vinay has repaid the faith in part picking up 12 wickets, making him the highest wicket-taker in his side.

Matches	Wickets	Economy	Best
11	12	7.31	3/25