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Raina's 53-ball 100 helped Chennai edge past Punjab
With just two days left, fans are gearing up for the seventh edition of the Indian Premier League, the first leg of which will be played in the United Arab Emirates owing to the ongoing general elections.
The six-week extravaganza has year-after-year witnessed many individual performances that deserve special mention.
Even as we get set for the seventh edition, starting Wednesday, here's a flashback at the five best efforts with the bat in last year's edition.
Suresh Raina
Suresh Raina was the most consistent batsman in all the previous editions of the IPL.
Last season was no different. The 26-year-old totaled 548 runs in 18 matches to finish as the fourth-highest run scorer.
Among his efforts, the one which stood out was the unbeaten hundred against Kings XI Punjab at Chepauk.
The 53-ball effort was inclusive of seven boundaries and six sixes and ensured Chennai a 15-run win.
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Gayle put the Pune attack to the sword
Chris Gayle
The West Indies opener's spectacular 175 not out against the now-defunct Pune Warriors at the Chinnaswamy stadium is one unforgettable innings.
His 66-ball effort was inclusive of 13 hits to the fence and 17 over it.
In the process, Gayle recorded the fastest fifty (off 17 balls) and the fastest hundred (30 balls).
His effort helped Royal Challengers Bangalore post a mammoth 263 for five in their stipulated 20 overs.
Pune Warriors found it difficult to even surpass Gayle's total in response, scoring just 133 for nine.
RCB may have failed to make the play-offs, but Gayle was again among the runs, aggregating 708 in 16 games.
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Mike Hussey was amazingly consistent
Michael Hussey
For starters Michael Hussey finished the tournament as the top scorer (733 runs), thereby winning the Orange cap.
The Australian benefited from the fact that Royal Challengers Bangalore failed to make the play-offs, negating the chances of his closest rivals, Chris Gayle (708) and Virat Kohli (634).
The 38-year-old was amazingly consistent in the tournament, notching six 50-plus scores.
Among his best was the 95 against Kolkata Knight Riders at the MA Chidambaram stadium.
Hussey's 59-ball innings was inclusive of 11 boundaries and two sixes and helped Chennai score 200 for three, eventually winning the match by 14 runs.
Besides, of course, was his 88 against Rajasthan. He will be missed for sure this time.
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Watson was the key to Rajasthan's fortunes
Shane Watson
If there was one player who played the most significant role in Rajasthan Royals making it to the play-offs, and, subsequently, securing a Champions League berth, it was Shane Watson.
The 31-year-old totaled 543 runs, in 16 matches, to finish the fifth-highest scorer.
His best effort albeit happened to be in a losing cause.
Watson hit a magnificent 101 against Chennai Super Kings at MA Chidamabaram stadium, his 61-ball effort inclusive of six boundaries and an equal number of sixes. It took Rajasthan to a formidable 185 for four.
However, Mike Hussey's 51-ball 88 ensured Chennai won with a ball to spare.
Now that he has been entrusted the responsibility of leading the squad, Watson has to not only come up with a handful of such knocks but also ensure they help his team win.
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Miller single-handedly helped Punjab beat Royal Challengers
David Miller
If Gayle's effort was mammoth, David Miller's was even better considering it came in the second innings.
Royal Challengers Bangalore, having posted a formidable 190 for three and reduced Kings XI Punjab to 64 for four, probably took it a bit easy.
Miller then got into the act, his 38-ball 101 not out consisted of eight boundaries and seven sixes.
And his unbeaten 130-run fifth wicket partnership with R Sathish (27) came in just over 10 overs.
More importantly, it single-handedly won Punjab the match.
No wonder the South African was retained for this season.