We live in a post-modern world where everything moves at a rapid pace and over the years, the game of cricket has also evolved considerably. We are in the age where the T20 format is dominating cricket and it is majorly because it provides the fast-paced action that signifies the modern world.Also, because of its fast-paced nature, it demands flexibility which means that multi-dimensional cricketers are always in high demand in this format. In cricket, all-rounders are those multi-dimensional cricketers who provide balance to the team and turn a good team into a champion team.In the IPL too, all-rounders have played a big role in the success of their respective teams and it comes as no surprise when we see that the 5 best all-rounders in IPL history are from the teams that have won the IPL title before.
Let us now find out who are the 5 best all-rounders in IPL history:-
. Dwayne Bravo
Dwayne Bravo is a “Legend” not only of T20 but also IPL. The man from the Caribbean is the leading wicket-taker in the history of the IPL with 183 wickets and has been a handy contributor with both balling and batting at a strike rate of 129.57 with a score of 1560 runs. Dwayne Bravo’s greatness is not only in his numbers but it in “the impact” that is most important. He has won the IPL trophy with CSK thrice in 2011, 2018, and 2021 and in all these seasons has been a crucial player for CSK. He was also the ‘Purple Cap’ holder in the 2013 and 2015 editions of the IPL.Image from CrickaddictorBravo is also one of the best in the death overs. His variations and perfect yorkers under pressure were one of the biggest assets for CSK. In his IPL career, Bravo has taken 102 wickets between 17 to 20 overs.With the bat, Bravo has played small but impactful knocks coming lower down the order. For more than a decade, Bravo has shown tremendous ability to use the long handle when needed as well as to build the innings when the situation demands it. This makes Bravo the most complete cricketer in IPL and he is surely one of the best all-rounders in IPL history.
. Ravindra Jadeja
Ravindra Jadeja has been one of the most consistent performers in the IPL over the years. He is a multi-dimensional cricketer in a true sense as he can win games for his side not only with the bat and ball but his brilliant fielding has also turned out to be a game changer on many occasions.Image from HindustanTimesJadeja started his IPL journey with Rajasthan Royals and was called ‘Rockstar’ by the late Shane Warne for his impact performances. Overall, Jadeja has played 210 matches in the IPL and has scored 2502 runs in the IPL at a strike rate of 127.59 while he has also picked 132 wickets on the way.Just like Bravo, Jadeja has also been a vital member of the teams that have won the IPL. He was part of Rajasthan Royals in the inaugural edition which they won and he has been one of the pillars of CSK’s success over the years.
. Andre Russell
Andre Russell is one of the most destructive batters in the world and can be equally effective with the ball on his day. He is a genuine match-winner and if he gets going it is very difficult to stop him with the bat. With the ball, he has been given the responsibility of bowling in the death overs.Andre Russell has scored 2035 runs in 98 games so far in the IPL with an astonishing strike rate of 177.88. Along with runs, he has also picked 89 wickets with the ball in hand. He has been an integral part of the KKR setup over the years and has even single-handedly won them games.Image from Indian ExpressHis best season with the bat came in 2019 when he smashed 510 runs at a strike rate of 2014.81 and his best with the ball came in the 2022 season when he picked up 17 wickets in 14 games. Russell is one of the best in the business in T20 cricket and is surely one of the best all-rounders in IPL history.
. Shane Watson
The Australian all-rounder was a superstar and was truly a big-match player. He has played a number of match-winning knocks with the bat while with the ball he was always a player who would break crucial partnerships. He was one of the main reasons for Rajasthan’s success in the first season of IPL as he scored 472 runs with the bat and also took 17 wickets. In the finals of IPL 2018, Watson smashed 117 not out just from 57 balls to take Chennai Super Kings to their third IPL title and it is still considered as one of the greatest knocks ever played in the IPL.Image from Jagran JoshWatson has scored 3874 runs at a strike rate of 137.91 in the IPL and has also picked 92 wickets. He was a true match-winner who could change the game both with the bat and ball on his day and was one of the biggest assets for the teams he played for.
. Kieron Pollard
People know Pollard mainly as a batter and rightly so he was one of the top batters in the world in his prime. However, along with his batting, he has been a very useful bowler for Mumbai Indians over the years.Like all the all-rounders, Kieron Pollard is a match-winner and has played a big role in Mumbai Indians winning five IPL titles. He is also a brilliant fielder and this multi-dimensional nature of his game makes him an impact player.Image from Indian ExpressKieron Pollard has scored 3412 runs in the IPL at a superb strike rate of 147.32 and has also picked 69 wickets on the way. Pollard made a maximum impact with the ball in his first four seasons from 2010 to 2014 and picked 10 or more wickets in each of these seasons. With the bat, the 2013 and 2015 seasons were his best and both those seasons were won by Mumbai Indians with Pollard being the ‘Player of the Match’ in 2013 final. Kieron Pollard is truly a legend for Mumbai Indians and is clearly one of the best all-rounders in IPL history.
Conclusion
So, these are the 5 best all-rounders in the history of IPL so far and all of them have been match-winners for the teams they have played for. Their all-round skills have provided great flexibility to their teams and that is why when one judges an all-rounder, one should always consider the impact along with the stats of that player.Also, because of the value, they bring to the table, they are always at the top of the list of the most expensive players in the IPL Auction.
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