IPL: Top 5 all-rounders of all time

After a decade of some scintillating and successful cricket, IPL will be back in action with a lot of zest. The Indian Premier League is set to hit the ground running from 23rd March at Chennai. The defending champions, Chennai Super Kings, will host the Royal Challengers Bangalore in the opening game of the tournament.

With the ICC World Cup arriving, IPL will play a crucial role to prepare the players for the mega event in England. All the IPL franchises would be hoping to get maximum game time from their key players.

In the T20 format, the significance of an all-rounder is paramount as not only can he give four overs to his skipper but can also bat down the order for his side. There have been some remarkable all-rounders who have lit up the stage of IPL over the years. Many world-class all-rounders have taken center stage in the IPL to made a mark for their team including the likes of Albie Morkel, Jacques Kallis, Andrew Flintoff, and Sanath Jayasuriya.

Now we will take a look at the best all-rounders in the history of the IPL.

Honorable mentions: Ben Stokes, Hardik Pandya, Sunil Narine, Shakib Al Hasan, and James Faulkner.

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#5 Kieron Pollard

Keiron Pollard

Kieron Pollard has been a cornerstone in all the three championships season for the Mumbai Indians. He joined the Maharashtrian franchise in 2010 when the team was struggling without a quality all-rounder. The big Trinidadian’s role was pivotal for Mumbai’s success in 2013, 2015 and 2017.

He has scored 2476 runs in 132 IPL games at an average of 28.13 along with an impressive strike rate of 145.73. Pollard gives his captain high flexibility with the bowling options as he is also handy with the ball in the middle overs. He has 56 dismissals to his name with an economy rate of 8.85.

The 31-year-old can again lead Mumbai Indians to another title win with his all-round abilities.

#4 Andre Russell

Andre Russell

Andre Russell is probably the best all rounder in the world cricket right now with his fantastic work rate and sheer brute force. Russell is rated highly as n all-rounder as he can not only win the match with his bat down the order but can also bowl with both the new and the old ball in the 20 over format. He has proved himself enough times for various franchises in the T20 leagues all over the world.

Russell was the Player of the Tournament in 2015, which shows his tremendous all-round abilities. He has scored 890 runs in 50 IPL games with an average of 26.96. The big Jamaican has a staggering strike rate of 177.29, which is the highest strike rate in the IPL for a minimum of 125 deliveries. He also bowls some crucial overs for his team in the powerplay. The 30-year-old has taken 44 wickets so far in the IPL at an average of 28.43.

#3 Ravindra Jadeja

Ravindra Jadeja

Ravindra Jadeja announced his arrival in the inaugural season of the IPL with the Rajasthan Royals. He was a vital member of the team that won the first season of the IPL. Jadeja joined the Chennai Super Kings in 2012 when he was bought for $2 million. He is probably the best outfielder in the world right now with a rocket-arm than can cause trouble to any batting side.

Jadeja has scored 1821 runs in 154 IPL matches at an average of 23.64. He is a clean hitter of the ball who can dominate against both the spinners as well as pacers. Jadeja also spins his web brilliantly in the middle overs with his left-arm orthodox bowling.

He has 93 wickets in the IPL in 154 outings with an incredible economy rate of 7.76. The 30-year-old is a wicket-taker even though he is sometimes hit for runs. He has maintained a bowling strike rate of 23.34 in the IPL.

#2 Dwayne Bravo

Dwayne Bravo

Dwayne Bravo is arguably one of the greatest all-rounders in the history of the IPL just because of the impact he had on a cricket field. It does not matter if he’s batting or bowling or fielding for that matter.

The former West Indian captain is immensely talented as an all-rounder with plenty of poise and skill both as a batsman and seamer. A live-wire on the field along with one of the best records as a death bowler makes him an excellent asset for any T20 side.

The Trinidadian has scored over 1379 runs in his 122 IPL games at an average of 23.77, which is excellent for a lower order batsman. Bravo can finish any game with his bat as he can score quickly in the slog overs with his pickup shots.

However, it’s with the ball that he causes most of his damage. The 35-year-old has 136 dismissals to his name in his IPL career with an excellent strike rate of 17.06. He is the fourth highest wicket-taker in the IPL and the only all-rounder to score more than 1000 runs and pick more than 100 wickets in the history of the IPL.

#1 Shane Watson

Shane Watson

Shane Watson is an exceptional talent and a potential match-winner who can take his team over the line all by himself. His all-round capabilities have been well known for many years but it the match-winning ability that makes him stand out from the crowd. He was declared the Player of the Tournament in the inaugural season of the IPL for guiding Rajasthan Royals to their maiden title.

His presence in the team gives much flexibility to the team management as he can open the innings as well as the bat in the middle order to provide more stability in the batting lineup. The Aussie can also bowl with the new and old ball, under any circumstances of the match.

He has scored 3177 runs in his 117 IPL matches at a splendid average of 32.41. Along with that, the 37-year-old has four centuries to his name including one in the last edition’s final against the Sunrisers Hyderabad. He has 97 wickets to his name in his 117 outings at an economy rate of 7.93.

Watson is a rare talent, who can deliver under pressure with the bat to take his team home from tough situations. That’s what makes him a real match-winner and the perfect all-rounder.