IPL: 5 most successful all-rounders in the history of the league

As we are merrily approaching IPL, the excitement is scaling high with each passing day. With IPL being just six days away, all the franchises would be looking forward to churning out the best possible eleven from their squad.

In its long journey of ten years, IPL has witnessed many great all-rounders who have made pre-eminent contributions to their respective franchises. Thus, let us have a look at five most successful all-rounders in the history of the league.

Note: The qualifications of this list is based on a minimum double of 1500 IPL runs and 40 IPL wickets.

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#1 Shane Watson (Chennai Super Kings)

This time around, Watson will serve CSK

The fiery all-rounder from Queensland, Shane Watson, has been one of the best all-rounders in the shortest format of the game. Apart from being a medium pacer, he is a powerful batsman who can handle pace and spin with equal ease.

Shane Watson started his IPL career with Rajasthan Royals as his base. In the inaugural edition of IPL, he was the highest-scorer for his home team, RR, where he scored 472 runs at an astonishing average of 47.20. Marking his presence in the inaugural season of IPL, he went on to be crowned the 'Man of the Tournament' in the same edition.

IPL Numbers (Batting) - Matches: 102 | Runs: 2622 | Avg: 31.21 | S/R: 138.66

IPL Numbers (Bowling) - Matches: 102 | Wickets: 86 | Eco: 7.84 | Avg: 28.27 | S/R: 21.64

#2 Yusuf Pathan (Sunrisers Hyderabad)

Yusuf Pathan will feature in SRH squad this year

Yusuf Pathan, the quality all-rounder from Baroda, has made a name for himself as one of the hardest hitters of the cricket ball in domestic and international cricket. Yusuf happens to be a typical middle-order batsman who can slog the bowlers towards the end of the innings, with an uncanny ability to clear the ropes.

Like Shane Watson and Ravindra Jadeja, Pathan also started his IPL game with Rajasthan Royals. He played a vital role in RR's road to their victory in the inaugural edition of IPL where he scored 435 runs at an average of 31.07 and a strike-rate of 179.01.

IPL Numbers (Batting) - Matches: 149 | Runs: 2904 | Avg: 29.63 | S/R: 145.49

IPL Numbers (Bowling) - Matches: 149 | Wickets: 42 | Eco: 7.39 | Avg: 33.14 | S/R: 26.90

#3 Kieron Pollard (Mumbai Indians)

Pollard was retained by MI this year

A destructive lower middle order batsman from Trinidad, Kieron Pollard is also a useful medium pacer who is capable of pulling off subtle changes of pace. An aggressive batsman with a penchant to clear the boundary with ease, he relies on hitting the ball out of the park to get most of his runs. A reliable medium pacer, a fiery batsman, and an exceptional fielder, Pollard is the perfect combination for T20.

Pollard kick-started his career with Mumbai Indians in 2010 as an all-rounder. He had a fantastic debut IPL season, both with the bat as well as the ball, where he scored 273 runs at an average of 22.17, and a jaw-dropping strike-rate of 185.71. He played a vital role in MI's maiden IPL triumph in 2013, where he ended up scoring 420 runs.

IPL Numbers (Batting) - Matches: 123 | Runs: 2343 | Avg: 28.92 | S/R: 146.52

IPL Numbers (Bowling) - Matches: 123 | Wickets: 56 | Eco: 8.85 | Avg: 31.60 | S/R: 21.41

#4 Ravindra Jadeja (Chennai Super Kings)

This year's IPL will be crucial for Jadeja

Ravindra Jadeja, a skillful all-rounder from Saurashtra, has been one of the most wanted players in the history of IPL. He falls in the league of some of the best all-rounders in the world, who offer a good value for money. Jadeja happens to be a perfect combination of quality batting, strict bowling, and energetic fielding.

'Rockstar!' is how Shane Warne used to address Jadeja during the inaugural edition of IPL. Like Shane Watson, Ravindra Jadeja also started his IPL career with RR. Jadeja was one of the key performers in Rajasthan Royals’ victorious campaign in the inaugural edition of Indian Premier League.

IPL Numbers (Batting) - Matches: 138 | Runs: 1732 | Avg: 24.05 | S/R: 122.83

IPL Numbers (Bowling) - Matches: 138 | Wickets: 82 | Eco: 7.81 | Avg: 30.56 | S/R: 23.47

#5 Jacques Kallis (Kolkata Knight Riders)

Kallis had a successful stint with KKR

A quality batsman and a more-than-able bowler, Jacques Kallis is one of the best all-rounders in the history of cricket. Technically strong off either foot, Kallis is adept at playing both seamers and spinners equally well. In addition to this, Kallis is a genuine partnership breaker.

Kallis started his IPL journey with RCB as his home team. He had a below-par first year in IPL where he scored only 199 runs at an average of 18.09. However, owing to his good third season in IPL, he was bought by KKR in the fourth year. He played a vital role with the ball in the fifth edition of IPL, when KKR lifted the IPL trophy for the very first time.

IPL Numbers (Batting) - Matches: 98 | Runs: 2427 | Avg: 28.55 | S/R: 109.22

IPL Numbers (Bowling) - Matches: 98 | Wickets: 65 | Eco: 7.89 | Avg: 35.27 | S/R: 26.80