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Gayle's effort was monumental

Last updated on: May 27, 2013 10:50 IST

Even as Mumbai Indians celebrate their maiden Indian Premier League triumph, the seven-week tournament also witnessed many individual performances that deserve special mention.

While the top batsmen and bowlers were expectedly from the teams that reached the final stages, there were some efforts that deserve special mention. Rediff.com takes a look at the top five innings in the sixth edition, the standout batting performances do to speak.

Chris Gayle

The West Indies opener leads the way with his spectacular 175 not out against Pune Warriors at the Chinnaswamy stadium.

His 66-ball effort was inclusive of 13 hits to the fence and 17 over it. In Gayle recorded the fastest fifty (off 17 balls) and the fastest hundred (30 balls) during the course of the innings.

His effort helped Royal Challengers Bangalore post a mammoth 263 for five in their stipulated 20 overs. Pune Warriors failed to 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, managing 708 in 16 games.

Miller single-handedly won the match

Last updated on: May 27, 2013 10:50 IST

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-handely won Punjab the match.

Raina impressed with the bat again

Last updated on: May 27, 2013 10:50 IST

Suresh Raina

Suresh Raina has been the most consistent batsman in all the previous editions of the IPL. And this year 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.

Watson played a key role for Rajasthan

Last updated on: May 27, 2013 10:50 IST

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 too Rajasthan to a formidable 185 for four.

However, Mike Hussey's 51-ball 88 ensured Chennai won with a ball to spare.

Hussey finished the top scorer

Last updated on: May 27, 2013 10:50 IST

Michael Hussey

Coming to Michael Hussey, he 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, thereby 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 up 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 is his 88 against Rajasthan, that has been mentioned in the previous page.