IPL ROUNDUP: MARKRAM, KLAASEN & BOULT COME TO THE FORE

The Indian Premier League is heading towards the business stage and the Betway SA20 stars continue to deliver impressive performances.

AIDEN MARKRAM (LUCKNOW SUPER GIANTS) 

Markram has shown a high level of consistency at the IPL this season. 

The Sunrisers Eastern Cape captain has joined the race for the Orange Cap - handed to the leading run-scorer in the IPL.

Markram is just 91 runs shy of the current leader Gujarat Titans’ Sai Sudharsan’s 417 runs with 326 at a strike-rate of 150.92.

His opening partnership with Mitch Marsh has been particularly good for the Super Giants with the Australian 18 runs ahead of Markram in fifth place on the ladder.

Over the past week Markram belted 66 (45 balls, 5x4, 3x6) and 52 (33 balls, 2x4, 3x6) against Rajasthan Royals and Delhi Capitals respectively to bring up his fourth half-century of the competition.

Markram has also contributed significantly with the ball as he currently has the lowest bowling average of 22 for Lucknow.

HEINRICH KLAASEN (SUNRISERS HYDERABAD)

After a couple of starts without any major contributions, Klaasen exploded in his last match against Mumbai Indians.

The powerful right-hander smashed 71 off 44 balls (9x4, 2x6). The innings held greater gravitas as Sunrisers had slipped to 21/4 in the Powerplay when Klaasen arrived at the crease.

The highlight of the innings was a glorious checked-drive on the up to beat mid-off diving left and deep cover chasing right.

Klaasen now tops the Sunrisers’ batting charts with 281 runs at an average of 40.14 and 159.56 strike-rate.

TRENT BOULT (MUMBAI INDIANS)

The veteran left-arm seamer has been searching for that big wicket haul throughout the IPL after watching a couple of catches go down off his bowling.

The MI fielders finally played their part in the last match against Sunrisers Hyderabad.

Boult struck twice in the Powerplay and again at the backend with his yorkers to finish with the impressive figures of 4/26.

“Nice to contribute to a good win. Good game for us. To restrict them to a decent score in their home conditions was wonderful,” Boult said.

“Just wanted to hit the wicket and make the batters play good shots, tried to keep it simple and put pressure on the batters.

“Good to see a couple of catches held. I’d love to bowl four in a row and let it swing but that doesn’t always happen. Need to always be ready for whenever I’m called upon. Slightly different role for me this year.

“It’s a low percentage ball for me but as some older bowlers would say, nothing could beat a good yorker. I still love the feeling of competing and getting wickets.”

The MI Cape Town seamer is now just two wickets shy of Durban’s Super Giants Noor Ahmad as the leading Betway SA20 bowler in the IPL this season.

DEWALD BREVIS (CHENNAI SUPER KINGS)

The boy wonder has made a belated arrival at the IPL where he has swapped the blue of Mumbai Indians for the yellow of Chennai Super Kings.

Brevis heads to the IPL in sublime form after a superb Betway SA20 Season for MI Cape Town and solid domestic performances for the Titans across formats.

With the Super Kings having endured a torrid season and their playoff hopes hanging by a thread, they will be hoping that Brevis can make an immediate impact with his brilliant batting skills and inspirational moments in the field.

TOP SA20 RUN-SCORERS IN IPL 2025

Aiden Markram (Lucknow Super Giants) | Total: 326 runs | Best: 66 vs Rajasthan Royals (19/4/2025)

Heinrich Klaasen (Sunrisers Hyderabad) | Total: 281 runs | Best: 71 vs Mumbai Indians (23/4/2025)

Ryan Rickelton (Mumbai Indians) | Total: 215 runs | Best: 62* vs Kolkata Knight Riders (31/3/2025)

TOP SA20 WICKET-TAKERS IN IPL 2025

Noor Ahmad (Chennai Super Kings) | Total: 12 wickets | Best: 4/18 vs Mumbai Indians

Trent Boult (Mumbai Indians) | Total: 10 wickets | Best: 4/26 vs Sunrisers Hyderabad (23/4/2025)

Marco Jansen (Punjab Kings) | Total: 8 wickets | Best: 3/17 vs Kolkata Knight Riders (15/4/2025)