The conversation in IPL about runs and strike rates is trending right now. A few players are yet to adapt to the new style of T20 cricket and hence, they are lagging behind in this aspect. Although the format is still the same, the realization is happening only now. Many players have previously made a good volume of runs but the impact was missing. On that note, here, we take a look at two players who have scored more than 600 runs in an IPL season with less than 130 Strike Rate.
1) Mike Hussey – IPL 2013 (Chennai Super Kings)
Runs: 733 || Average: 52.35 || Strike Rate: 129.50
The Australian cricketer is basically a middle-order batter but in the IPL, Hussey converted himself into a fine opener. He won many games for CSK and in IPL 2013, he also won the Orange Cap for the franchise.
Hussey’s campaign included a total of six half-centuries. Although he scored plenty of runs, probably the impact was not as expected. Nevertheless, CSK reached the playoffs and it was not a big concern for the team.
2) KL Rahul – IPL 2020 (Punjab Kings)
Runs: 670 || Average: 55.83 || Strike Rate: 129.34
KL Rahul is one of the players who have scored more than 600 runs in an IPL season with less than 130 Strike Rate. If there is one common thread in the ongoing debate, that is KL Rahul. He is one player who has all the shots in the book but somehow finds himself batting at a strike rate that is not expected from a player of his calibre.
He won the Orange Cap in IPL 2020 with a strike rate below 130. For PBKS, it was yet another disappointing season. In the next seasons, too, KL scored runs but could not leave an impact or help PBKS win games consistently. KL is still in the same routine and he is already almost out of the Indian T20I Team. With other cricketers doing well in this role, soon, KL could be dropped from the T20 setup if he does not change.
