IPL 2013: Gayle, Vinay lead the show

Kolkata April 23 (IANS) With the sixth edition of the Indian Premier League now three weeks old, two key members of the Royal Challengers Bangalore - Jamaican Chris Gayle and Vinay Kumar -- top the charts with the bat and the leather, respectively.

The destructive Gayle has collected 432 runs from eight matches, at an astounding Twenty20 average of 108.8.

Till the first match Tuesday, Gayle is immediately followed by his teammate and young skipper Virat Kohli (333), Aussie Michael Hussey of Chennai Super Kings (305 runs) and Kolkata Knight Riders captain Gautam Gambhir (235).

Dashing English batsman Luke Wright, who turns out for Pune Warriors India, has the highest strike rate of 315.38, while the big Jamaican Gayle boasts of the highest individual score of 175 runs.

Leading the wicket takers' list is Vinay Kumar with 12 scalps. Kolkata Knight Riders' Caribbean tweaker Sunil Narine, who has emerged as the tormentor of batsmen since the last season of the cash-rich tournament, came up with the best match bowling figures (4/13) in the opening game against Delhi Daredevils at the Eden Gardens.

Australian medium pacer James Faulkner has shaped up well for the Rajasthan Royals with the best bowling average of 9.45, while his teammate Ankeet Chavan possesses the best economy rate of 3.33.

Chris Gayle has hit the most number of sixes till now with 34 such mighty heaves.

The dark horse of the tournament has been the newest franchisee on the block Sunrisers Hyderabad. They have kick started their campaign with five wins from seven matches, and are in third position in the standings.

There have been two hat-tricks so far, with spinners achieving both the feats. While Narine got the first one against Kings XI, Punjab, leggie Amit Mishra made good use of googlies to carry the Sunrisers Hyderabad to victory by taking wickets of three consecutive balls at the death.

With the tournament nearing its midway stage, cricket buffs could look forward to more superlative performances from the players apart from drama, riveting action and nail biting finishes.