IPL 2019 | Studs and Duds from IPL Week 2 ft. David Warner, Andre Russell, Jaydev Unadkat

David Warner: That was an incredible piece of clean-hitting and doesn’t require context to tell you how deeply it hit Royal Challengers Bangalore at the end. Warner started slowly in the powerplay, while Jonny Bairstow was made to attack from the very beginning, and in retrospect, it is considered to have been a viable tactic to defy the three-time finalists. Warner didn’t have the monkey on his back after two swash-buckling fifties in the first two games and knowing fully that the team didn’t have the insurance of Kane Williamson, he had to progress in the best way possible. Everything came together and Warner played an innings that didn’t just thwart the Virat Kohli-led team, it also resulted in the bowlers deviating from their original length to serve runs on the platter. 

Jonny Bairstow: A year ago Jonny Bairstow was analysing different techniques of big-hitting in the Indian Premier League in the Sky Sports office in London. Now, he is setting standards in India and winning a fanbase of his own. This is what IPL does to players or rather players do to IPL. It is a symbiotic relationship after all. Bairstow came out all guns blazing against Royal Challengers Bangalore on a batting-friendly track, but his attack against Delhi Capitals spinners was the major revelation this time. He, alongside David Warner, not only destroying the notion that Sunrisers Hyderabad are heavily dependent on their bowlers to guide them home, but it is also made sure that the batting can be the factor on which their chances for the title run stands. All for good, Sunrisers think tank would be some of the happiest people during their tiresome flights from one corner of the country to another.

Shreyas Gopal: Despite having three foreign players, I zeroed in on Shreyas Gopal to have in the studs of the week. But the reservation comes from the fact that Andre Russell was just too goodlast night with the brazen display of power-hitting that took the breath away. An honorary mention wouldn't work, but with due respect to the burly Jamaican, I will go with Gopal for the chutzpah he showed against RCB the other night. Earlier what used to be the varying and surprising aspect of a leg-spinner’s arsenal, now it has become the most prudent and regular delivery, even regular than the conventional delivery. Gopal feasted on googly on Tuesday night against Royal Challengers Bangalore and disturbed all their plans by sending the triumvirate of Virat Kohli, AB de Villiers, and Shimron Hetmyer early in the innings. By not exposing the angle from the back of his hand, Gopal ensured that he remained a difficult proposition until the end of his spell and in the process, confirmed that RCB’s woes are far deeper what one could comprehend in a rational mindset. 

Ambati Rayudu: Law of averages catch up very soon in cricket unless you are Virat Kohli. For Ambati Rayudu, it had to at some point in time. A glorious summer of cricket last year accentuated his progression to the Indian team and even made Virat Kohli claim that they are backing the Hyderabadi for the No.4 spot for the World Cup team. However, his India stint has pointed fingers at his ability to soak pressure, and that made way for the IPL as well, making him one of the weakest links in the CSK line-up. He looks severely depleted as a batsman, and the swag value that characterises an opener was entirely absent. In the last week, he managed to score only 1 run from two matches and considering he is an active India international, nothing is more shambolic.