General / Andrew Hughes / 16 April 2009 /

IPL 2008 produced a whopping 1702 fours and 622 sixes in just 59 games and we can expect the same again this time. Let's face it; spectators, TV executives and franchise owners feel they haven't got their money's worth if the white ball is not regularly disappearing into the night sky, writes Andrew Hughes.

The IPL debut of Kevin Pietersen in particular will be must-watch television and the likes of Tendulkar, Hayden and Sehwag are sure to draw big crowds. But who else should we look out for amongst the galaxy of batting talent converging on South Africa this month?

To enhance your IPL viewing pleasure, here's the Betfair guide to some of the batsmen most likely to bring the fun over the next six weeks.

Brendon McCullum

His blazing 150 in the opening game of IPL 2008 was the perfect start; a display of batting fireworks to complement the carnival atmosphere of the opening ceremony. And the good news for the Kolkata Knight Riders is that this time he is available for the whole tournament. A bludgeoner of the ball, he takes a low grip on the bat and doesn't go in for much footwork, save for the occasional dance down the pitch to mess with the bowler's mind. His approach is natural, instinctive and in full flight, he bears a passing resemblance to the great Ian Botham, particularly when executing a slashing uppercut or top-edging a hook for six.

Luke Pomersbach

The young Aussie left-hander only got a handful of games for Kings XI Punjab last year, but he certainly made the most of them. In just five innings, he piled up 152 runs, being dismissed just once. His technique is simple, but he is no mere slogger, possessing the priceless Twenty20 ability of being able to hit boundaries under pressure as well as the intelligence to know when to rotate the strike. With Shaun Marsh away on international duty, we should see a lot more of the tall Western Australian with the big match temperament.

Herschelle Gibbs

Not so long ago, it looked like his career was entering a terminal phase. A long and agonising run of low scores finished off his Test career and he appeared to be hanging on to his limited overs place by his fingernails. But South Africa remained loyal to their wayward opener and last week he repaid them with a glorious century against Australia in Port Elizabeth. With his personal problems behind him, we will hopefully see the best of Gibbs once more. A confidence player if ever there was one, his fast hands and improvisation make him the perfect Twenty20 batsman and on his home soil, he should relish the chance to show what he can do.

David Warner

The selection of the 22-year-old Warner for the Twenty20 game against South Africa in January caused a few raised eyebrows in Australian circles. He became the first player since 1877 to represent his country before he had played a first class game. But since moving up the order for New South Wales earlier in the season, he has looked a potentially useful performer in limited overs cricket and opening the batting against Dale Steyn at the MCG, he showed audacity and considerable courage in pummelling 89 off 43 deliveries. An excellent placer of the ball, he is particularly strong on the leg side and more than one green-shirted bowler felt the lash of his trademark shot, a baseball style slog over midwicket. He is one of a number of shrewd acquisitions by the Delhi Daredevils and is an exciting prospect.

Gautam Gambhir

Amongst the bludgeoners and blasters, Gambhir is a batsman for the cricket purist to enjoy. Naturally strong on the offside, he is capable of lacing the ball through the covers or slicing it through point with a cultured waft and apparently minimal effort. His stylish strokeplay aside, he is a pugnacious competitor in the modern Indian style. His partnership with Virender Sehwag for Delhi and India is the most prolific in the world right now, but with Sehwag burdened with the cares of captaincy, Gambhir is likely to outscore his partner this time, just as he did in IPL 2008.

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